Director, Hardware Reliability Engineering

Who We Are

With its A.I.-powered robotic technology platform, Symbotic is changing the way consumer goods move through the supply chain. Intelligent software orchestrates advanced robots in a high-density, end-to-end system – reinventing warehouse automation for increased efficiency, speed and flexibility.

What We Need

We are seeking an accomplished and strategic Director, Hardware Reliability Engineering to lead the reliability function for our next-generation robotic automation platforms. This role is critical to ensuring the long-term durability, robustness, and safety of complex electromechanical systems deployed in high-volume industrial environments.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience from the automotive industry, including a strong command of hardware validation processes, reliability standards, and field quality strategies. This role requires both technical credibility and leadership skills to embed reliability into product development, influence design decisions, and drive cross-functional execution.

What You'll Do

• Lead the development and execution of our end-to-end hardware reliability strategy for robotic systems, from early-stage design to post-deployment field performance.
• Build and manage a multidisciplinary team of reliability engineers, test engineers, and lab personnel.
• Apply automotive-grade reliability practices to robotic systems, including DFMEA, design margin analysis, and validation planning aligned with ISO, SAE, and AEC-Q standards.
• Oversee accelerated life testing, stress testing, and environmental validation for key components and assemblies (e.g., motors, actuators, sensors, PCBs, harnesses, structural elements).
• Define and enforce reliability requirements, targets, and KPIs that are traceable throughout the product lifecycle.
• Collaborate with Product Design, Systems, and Manufacturing teams to ensure that reliability goals are integrated into architecture, component selection, and design reviews.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) processes for both development-stage failures and in-field issues.
• Leverage field data, return analysis, and warranty trends to inform reliability growth programs and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the organizational subject matter expert on automotive reliability standards, including ISO 16750, AEC-Q100/Q200, and functional safety frameworks such as ISO 26262.
• Communicate program status, risks, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
  
  

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Minimum 10 years of hardware reliability and validation experience in the automotive industry, including a minimum of 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven success applying automotive reliability standards and practices to electromechanical systems, ideally involving embedded electronics, motion systems, or safety-critical components.
• Strong knowledge of automotive-grade testing methodologies{{:}} thermal cycling, vibration, HALT/HASS, corrosion, ingress protection, mechanical fatigue, and electrical overstress.
• Experience with reliability tools{{:}} DFMEA, FTA, Weibull analysis, ReliaSoft, Minitab.
• Skilled at working across functional boundaries and managing reliability through the full V-model development process.
• Strong technical communication and executive reporting skills.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with robotic automation systems or complex capital equipment.
• Familiarity with vehicle integration challenges, CAN/LIN protocols, and mechatronic systems.
• Functional safety expertise (ISO 26262, IEC 61508) or prior work on safety-related components.
• CRE (Certified Reliability Engineer), Six Sigma certification, or equivalent credentials.
• Experience scaling reliability processes in a high-growth or product commercialization environment.
  
  

Our environment

• Up to 10% of travel may be required. Employees must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive and/or fly to client and other customer locations.
• The employee is responsible for owning a credit card and managing expenses personally to be reimbursed on a bi-weekly basis.
  
  

About Symbotic

Symbotic is an automation technology leader reimagining the supply chain with its end-to-end, AI-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for the world’s largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage companies. Applying next-gen technology, high-density storage and machine learning to solve today's complex distribution challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of commerce the Symbotic platform transforms the flow of goods and the economics of supply chain for its customers. For more information, visit www.symbotic.com.

We are a community of innovators, collaborators and pioneers who embrace our differences, because we know unique perspectives make us stronger and smarter. Every perspective matters. We depend on the collective voices of our employees, customers and community to help guide us as we build a better place to work – for you and the world. That’s why we’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We do not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or genetic information.

The base range for this position in the posted location is $224,000.00 - $308,000.00 however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The compensation package includes medical, dental, vision, disability, 401K, PTO and/or other benefits.