Reliability & Components Engineer III

Launch your career to new heights with Innoflight—one of San Diego’s fastest-growing Aerospace and Defense innovators. Here, visionary minds engineer the future of space technology through pioneering, compact, and cyber-secure solutions. From software-defined radios to cutting-edge cryptographic systems and avionics, everything we build powers the next era of New Space. Join our small, agile, and mission-driven team where your work has real impact and your growth has no limits.

About the role

As a Reliability & Components Engineer III, you will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and robustness of Innoflight’s aerospace and avionics products. Working closely with Systems, Hardware, Software, FPGA, Mechanical, Manufacturing, and Quality teams, you will perform detailed component- and system-level analyses to identify risks, evaluate failure mechanisms, and improve product reliability throughout the development lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Performs Reliability Analyses: Conducts unit and box-level Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analyses (FMEA/FMECA), including assessments of complex multi-card systems and subsystem interactions.
• Executes Component-Level Assessments: Performs card-level Worst Case Analysis (WCA), Part Stress Analysis (PSA), and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to evaluate design robustness and operational margins.
• Evaluates Electronic Components: Extracts and interprets key parameters from commercial and radiation-tolerant component datasheets to support reliability predictions and engineering decisions.
• Assesses Thermal and Mechanical Performance: Analyzes component limitations and interactions within PCB/PCA designs to identify potential reliability concerns and design constraints.
• Investigates Failure Mechanisms: Applies knowledge of semiconductor physics, integrated circuits, and component behavior to assess performance degradation and potential failure modes.
• Applies Industry Standards: Utilizes reliability methodologies and standards such as MIL-STD-1629A, MIL-STD-975M, and Telcordia SR-332 to guide analyses and support program requirements.
• Collaborates Across Engineering Disciplines: Works closely with Systems, Software, FPGA, Mechanical, and Manufacturing teams to identify failure scenarios, recovery modes, and system-level impacts.
• Supports Product and Process Reliability: Participates in Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) and Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) activities to improve product quality and lifecycle performance.
• Develops Reusable Reliability Tools: Creates reliability analysis templates, methodologies, and documentation that can be leveraged across future products and engineering teams.
• Drives Continuous Improvement: Identifies opportunities to strengthen reliability processes, improve analysis methods, and enhance product performance across development programs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 5 or more years of experience in reliability engineering, components engineering, or a related role within aerospace, defense, or avionics environments.
• Strong understanding of electronic components, semiconductor physics, and PCB/PCA-level design considerations.
• Experience performing Worst Case Analysis (WCA), Part Stress Analysis (PSA), and FMEA/FMECA at the card and system level.
• Experience developing test scenarios in support of reliability analyses.
• Familiarity with reliability standards such as MIL-STD-1629A, MIL-STD-975M, and Telcordia SR-332.
• Experience with DFMEA and PFMEA preferred.
• Basic understanding of software failure and recovery modes preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Skills

• Reliability Engineering: Experienced in performing WCA, PSA, FMEA, and FMECA analyses at both component and system levels within aerospace, defense, or avionics environments.
• Component Analysis: Possess a strong understanding of electronic components, semiconductor physics, and PCB/PCA design considerations that influence product reliability.
• Technical Problem Solving: Skilled at evaluating complex failure mechanisms, identifying root causes, and recommending corrective actions to improve system performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Effectively partners with multidisciplinary engineering teams to assess risk, improve designs, and ensure reliable product operation throughout the lifecycle.

Pay

The starting base salary for this position ranges from $130,000 to $160,000 per year, depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits

• Profit-Sharing Bonus and a Cash Performance Bonus to reward both individual and company performance.
• 401(k) with 3% company match (automatic enrollment).
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, HSA & life insurance.
• 10 paid holidays + 120 hours PTO (starting in year one).
• Access to ancillary benefits such as critical illness, accident, disability, legal and pet insurance.

Schedule

Flexible Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off.

Why you'll love working here

• Continuous Learning & Development: Tuition reimbursement, internal "Ask Me Anything" sessions, and weekly “Lunch & Learns.”
• Mission-Driven Culture: Culture Ambassadors lead initiatives around inclusion, positivity, recognition, and transparency. Your voice is heard, your work is respected, and your individuality is celebrated.