Hardware Reliability Engineer Technical Lead
Applied Intuition· enterprise· Robotics/Autonomous Systems· Oct 8, 2026 · 20d ago
Sunnyvale
In office
Full-time
Lead/Staff
$180K–$220K
10+ years exp
Job description
Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems, and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company’s solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co applied.co.
We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that full-time employees primarily work from their Applied Intuition office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments. This in-office expectation does not apply to contractor positions
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking a Hardware Reliability Engineer Technical Lead to build and scale our hardware reliability function from the ground up (a true 0 to 1 opportunity). In this high-impact role, you will define product reliability requirements, establish rigorous test strategies, and drive end-to-end execution across high-reliability industries—including automotive, trucking, defense, construction, mining, and agriculture.
As the technical authority for hardware reliability, you will lead cross-functional alignment, manage third-party testing partners, and work directly with external enterprise customers to guarantee our hardware operates flawlessly in the world’s toughest environments. As our product portfolio and team scale, this role offers a direct trajectory into broader engineering leadership.
AT APPLIED INTUITION, YOU WILL:
- Build from 0 to 1: Architect, establish, and mature the company-wide Hardware Reliability Engineering function, including processes, frameworks, standards, and lab/supplier capabilities.
- Define Test Strategies & Standards: Establish hardware reliability requirements, HALT/ALT protocols, environmental stress testing (thermal, vibration, ingress, shock, ESD), and failure criteria tailored to harsh heavy-duty and defense environments.
- Lead Technical & Supplier Execution: Manage and direct 3rd-party test labs and manufacturing partners to execute test plans accurately, on schedule, and to exact specifications.
- Cross-Functional & Customer Integration: Serve as the reliability voice across hardware design, quality, and systems engineering teams. Engage directly with external enterprise customers to translate field requirements into technical testing standards and present test results.
- Failure Analysis & Quality Elevation: Lead root-cause analysis (FA) on hardware defects or field failures using physics-of-failure approaches, driving corrective actions back into product design.
- Hands-on Technical Contribution: Utilize script/automation capabilities (Python, C/C++, or MATLAB) to streamline testing workflows, data collection, and test execution analysis.
WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS:
- 10+ years of hands-on Hardware Reliability Engineering experience.
- Product Background: Direct experience shipping products in consumer electronics combined with at least one heavy-duty/regulated industry (automotive, trucking, defense, construction, mining, or agriculture).
- Technical Leadership: Proven track record of defining product reliability requirements, designing comprehensive test plans, and managing 3rd-party suppliers/labs for execution.
- Coding Proficiency: Practical scripting/programming capabilities (e.g., Python, C/C++, Bash, or MATLAB) for test automation, data extraction, or system integration.
- Customer Facing: Demonstrated experience presenting technical reliability data and collaborating directly with enterprise/external customers.
- Bachelor’s or Advanced Degree (Master’s / Ph.D.) in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
NICE TO HAVE:
- 7+ years of team lead, project lead, or direct engineering management experience.
- Deep knowledge of industry reliability standards (e.g., ISO 26262, MIL-STD-810, SAE, AEC-Q100/200).
Compensation at Applied Intuition for eligible roles includes base salary, equity, and benefits. Base salary is a single component of the total compensation package, which may also include equity in the form of options and/or restricted stock units, comprehensive health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage, 401k retirement benefits with employer match, learning and wellness stipends, and paid time off. Note that benefits are subject to change and may vary based on jurisdiction of employment.
Applied Intuition pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum intended target base salary for new hire salaries for the position. The actual base salary offered to a successful candidate will additionally be influenced by a variety of factors including experience, credentials & certifications, educational attainment, skill level requirements, interview performance, and the level and scope of the position.
Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Applied Intuition is an equal opportunity employer and federal contractor or subcontractor. Consequently, the parties agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 41 CFR 60-300.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and that these laws are incorporated herein by reference. These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. These regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability. The parties also agree that, as applicable, they will abide by the requirements of Executive Order 13496 (29 CFR Part 471, Appendix A to Subpart A), relating to the notice of employee rights under federal labor laws.
FOR US-BASED ROLES: Applied Intuition is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive application and interview experience to applicants who are disabled veterans and other applicants with disabilities or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations are available, requesting an accommodation will not affect your candidacy in any way, and you are not required to disclose the nature of your disability or medical condition in order to make a request. If you require an accommodation please contact careers@applied.co. We will work with you!
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Benefits
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Dental
Vision
401k
Paid Time Off
Wellness