Senior Product Reliability Engineer

About ANELLO Photonics:

ANELLO  is a leading-edge technology company that has developed integrated photonic system-on-chip technology for next generation navigation devices. ANELLO's SIPHOG gyroscope is based on its patented photonic integrated circuit technology. Our devices are higher performance, much smaller in size, weight, and power at a fraction of the cost of traditional gyros used in industrial-grade, aerospace, and military applications. ANELLO products provide low-cost, reliable, and precision navigation and positioning across all autonomous applications. ANELLO has a growing list of market-leading customers in mining, construction, farming, unmanned aerial and marine vehicles, as well as a variety of applications within defense and national security segments.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Product Reliability Engineer to lead reliability engineering efforts for our advanced optical gyroscope products. This role requires deep expertise in silicon photonics and opto-electronic systems, with a focus on ensuring product robustness throughout the entire product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Reliability Engineering & Testing

• Design and execute comprehensive reliability test programs for optical gyroscope products, including accelerated life testing, environmental stress screening, and highly accelerated life testing (HALT/HASS)
• Develop and implement failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), fault tree analysis (FTA), and reliability prediction models specific to photonic integrated circuits and optical systems
• Establish reliability metrics, track field performance data, and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts for field failures and manufacturing defects

Optical Gyroscope Systems

• Evaluate and qualify silicon photonics components for optical gyroscope applications, including waveguides, modulators, photodetectors, and optical couplers
• Assess reliability risks associated with optical signal degradation, thermal effects, and aging mechanisms in photonic devices
• Validate performance stability of optical gyroscopes across temperature, vibration, shock, and other environmental stressors

Integration & Packaging

• Ensure reliability of hybrid integration approaches combining silicon photonic chips with discrete electronic components
• Evaluate wire bonding processes and interconnect reliability, including bond strength, electrical performance, and long-term stability
• Assess packaging reliability including hermetic sealing, thermal management, and mechanical integrity
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineering to implement design for reliability (DFR) and design for manufacturability (DFM) principles

Collaboration & Leadership

• Partner with design engineering teams to influence product architecture and component selection for optimal reliability
• Work closely with supply chain and quality teams to establish component qualification and vendor reliability requirements
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to building reliability engineering best practices
• Communicate reliability status, risks, and improvement plans to cross-functional stakeholders and leadership

Desired Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or related field; Master's or Ph.D. preferred
• 7+ years of experience in product reliability engineering, preferably in optical sensors, photonics, or opto-electronic systems
• Proven track record of delivering reliable products from development through production

Technical Expertise

• Strong knowledge of silicon photonics technology, including fabrication processes, device physics, and failure mechanisms
• Hands-on experience with optical sensors, optical gyroscopes, or similar precision optical measurement systems
• Deep understanding of opto-electronic integration, including hybrid assembly techniques and packaging approaches
• Expertise in wire bonding processes (ball bonding, wedge bonding) and associated reliability considerations
• Proficiency with reliability engineering methodologies and standards (MIL-STD-810, Telcordia, JEDEC, IPC)
• Experience with statistical analysis tools and reliability software (Weibull analysis, Minitab, JMP, or equivalent)

Skills & Attributes

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills with ability to present complex technical information to diverse audiences
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and drive projects to completion
• Experience working in cross-functional teams in fast-paced development environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with fiber optic components and fiber-to-chip coupling reliability
• Knowledge of inertial sensor systems and navigation applications
• Familiarity with aerospace, automotive, or defense industry reliability requirements
• Experience with thermal management and thermal-mechanical stress analysis
• Understanding of laser reliability and optical source aging mechanisms
• Six Sigma or similar quality certification

Additional Information

• This position may require occasional travel to supplier sites and testing facilities. Laboratory work and hands-on testing activities are expected as part of this role.
• Due to U.S. government contract requirements ANELLO works under, applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. (U.S. citizenship or Perm Residence)