
System Failure Analysis Engineer
Required skills
- EFFA
- OFFA
- Python
- AI
- machine learning
- failure analysis
- root cause
- corrective actions
- hardware quality
- reliability engineering
Nice to have
- AI tool building
- automated analysis solutions
- intelligent diagnostic systems
- failure prediction
- classification
- anomaly detection
Role summary
Meta is seeking a System Failure Analysis Engineer for its Hardware Quality and Reliability Engineering team. This role focuses on Early and Ongoing Field Failure Analysis (EFFA/OFFA) for consumer hardware like VR headsets and AR glasses. Responsibilities include investigating field failures, identifying root causes, and driving corrective actions. The engineer will leverage software development and AI tool-building skills to automate analysis and diagnostics, working closely with design, manufacturing, and reliability teams to ensure product quality and durability. The position requires experience in hardware failure analysis, reliability engineering, and programming languages like Python, with a strong preference for AI integration experience.
Responsibilities
- Perform Early Field Failure Analysis (EFFA) and Ongoing Field Failure Analysis (OFFA) on returned or customer-reported hardware units across Meta's consumer device portfolio, including VR headsets, AR glasses, and wearable electronics
- Build and deploy AI-powered tools and machine learning models to automate failure classification, root cause prediction, and anomaly detection in field failure data
- Develop software scripts, data pipelines, and analysis tools using Python or similar languages to streamline failure analysis workflows and improve diagnostic efficiency
- Apply fault isolation techniques such as electrical characterization, boundary scan, and functional diagnostics to identify failure modes at the board, component, and system level
- Conduct physical failure analysis using tools such as optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cross-sectioning, and X-ray inspection to determine root cause
- Design and implement automated test and diagnostic systems that leverage AI and machine learning to enhance failure detection and triage capabilities
- Document failure analysis findings in structured reports, including failure mode classification, root cause determination, and recommended corrective actions
- Collaborate with hardware design and reliability engineering teams to translate failure analysis findings into design improvements and process changes
- Track and analyze failure trends using quality data systems and custom-built analytical tools to identify systemic issues and prioritize investigation efforts
- Communicate failure analysis results and quality insights to engineering leaders and stakeholders across varying levels of technical background
Minimum Qualifications
- Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience. Degree must be completed prior to joining Meta
- 2+ years of experience in hardware failure analysis, hardware quality engineering, or reliability engineering for consumer electronics or similar electromechanical systems
- 2+ years of hands-on experience with failure analysis techniques including electrical fault isolation, optical and electron microscopy, X-ray inspection, or cross-sectioning
- 2+ years of experience with programming languages such as Python, C++, or similar for data analysis, automation, or tool development
- Experience building data analysis pipelines, automation scripts, or diagnostic tools to support engineering workflows
- Experience interpreting schematic diagrams, PCB layouts, and component datasheets to support system-level fault isolation
- Experience documenting and communicating technical failure analysis findings to cross-functional engineering teams and stakeholders
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
- Experience developing AI or machine learning models for failure prediction, classification, or anomaly detection
- Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
- Familiarity with reliability testing methodologies such as HALT, HASS, or accelerated life testing in the context of consumer hardware qualification
- Experience with Early Field Failure Analysis (EFFA) or Ongoing Field Failure Analysis (OFFA) programs for consumer electronics
- Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
- Experience building internal tools, dashboards, or automated systems to improve engineering team productivity
- Experience with failure analysis of wearable devices, AR/VR hardware, or compact consumer electronics with complex system-on-chip or flexible circuit assemblies
- Experience using statistical quality tools (e.g., Pareto analysis, Weibull analysis, control charts) to identify and prioritize systemic hardware failure trends
$118,000/year to $170,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
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