Reliability Test & Failure Analysis Technician

Company Overview Amperesand is reinventing how the world powers its most critical systems. We are facing a once-in-a-generation opportunity for infrastructure disruption. Electricity demand is skyrocketing, driven by AI factories, electric vehicles, and modern industrial growth. Energy supply is shifting to incorporate a more diverse mix of resources – including solar, gas, and batteries – at a massive scale. And yet the power infrastructure behind our latest mega-projects hasn’t meaningfully changed in nearly 100 years. Supply chains for today’s infrastructure equipment can’t match the pace and sophistication of critical energy projects. Amperesand is building hardware and software that rewrites this broken power infrastructure playbook to support a new era of energy abundance. We’ve built a new class of intelligent, software-defined power infrastructure products leveraging a decade of advanced medium voltage Solid State Transformer research that’s now ready for commercial deployment. Our products and solutions go far beyond the capabilities of traditional electrical equipment. We make power systems that are faster to deploy, dramatically smaller and more efficient, and capable of supporting modern, dynamic energy needs for tomorrow’s most demanding energy consumers. Scalable in-house advanced manufacturing capability is our foundation for meeting timeline and quality expectation to serve infrastructure customers around the world. Amperesand is led by breakthrough energy hardware development veterans and funded by top tier investors who share our vision of building a category-defining energy technology company. With hubs in San Francisco, Reno, and Singapore, our global team is laser focused on building foundational technology to solve the most pressing problems in power infrastructure at scale. Join us in building the power foundation of the future! Role Summary We are seeking a hands-on Reliability Test & Failure Analysis Technician to support environmental, mechanical, electrical, and long-duration reliability testing of power electronics assemblies used in Solid State Transformer (SST) systems. This role is responsible for preparing test samples, building and maintaining test fixtures, operating environmental and vibration test equipment, monitoring long-term reliability tests, documenting results, and supporting failure analysis activities. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented and experienced with power electronics hardware, environmental chambers, vibration systems, laboratory instrumentation, and test equipment. The technician will work closely with Reliability, Failure Analysis, Quality, Manufacturing, and Facilities teams to execute reliability qualification, burn-in, and operational reliability testing. Responsibilities Reliability Test Setup & Sample Preparation • Prepare, inspect, document, and track test samples including PSM boards, and critical sub-assemblies and systems. • Perform board bring-up, functional verification, pre- and post-test inspections, and hardware teardown activities. • Maintain sample traceability, collect measurements, capture photographs, and document hardware condition before, during, and after testing. • Coordinate rework and return of hardware to engineering teams for analysis. Test Fixtures & Equipment Support • Build, modify, maintain, and improve reliability test fixtures and support equipment. • Install, verify, and maintain power supplies, thermocouples, temperature, and humidity sensors, and data collection equipment. • Support burn-in and Operational Reliability Test (ORT) development through fixture improvements, repeatability verification, and sample processing. Environmental & Reliability Testing • Operate environmental chambers, vibration systems, and reliability test equipment supporting Temperature Cycling, THB, Condensation, HTOL, RDT, and other qualification tests. • Perform safety reviews, functional verification, and ensure hardware remains within approved operating limits throughout testing. • Install test samples and instrumentation, verify fixture integrity and torque requirements, and conduct pre- and post-test inspections. • Monitor test progress, record alarms, excursions, downtime, interruptions, and time-at-condition data, and document anomalies. • Assemble, operate, and maintain SST reliability test systems, including power, cooling, instrumentation, data collection, and communications equipment. • Execute approved procedures, perform routine inspections, troubleshoot issues, and escalate abnormal conditions as needed. Failure Analysis Support • Respond to hardware failures during testing by securing failed units and preserving failure evidence. • Perform preliminary fault isolation, documentation, and sample preparation for engineer-led investigations. • Maintain detailed records and photographic evidence to support root cause analysis. Lab Operations & Equipment Maintenance • Perform preventive maintenance on environmental chambers, vibration systems, thermal equipment, instrumentation, and laboratory support equipment. • Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, and instrumentation issues affecting test execution. • Coordinate equipment calibration, sensor verification, and certification activities. • Work with Facilities and external vendors to maintain laboratory infrastructure, including electrical power, cooling water, compressed air, and network services. • Support laboratory safety, equipment uptime, and continuous improvement initiatives. Qualifications • 3+ years of experience in reliability testing, environmental testing, failure analysis, manufacturing test, electronics laboratories, or related technical operations. • Experience operating environmental chambers, vibration systems, power supplies, DAQ equipment, and laboratory instrumentation. • Experience with electronic assemblies, power electronics, or industrial electrical equipment is preferred. • Ability to read schematics, wiring diagrams, assembly drawings, and engineering documentation. • Working knowledge of thermocouples, temperature monitoring, insulation resistance and leakage-current measurements, electrical safety practices, and reliability test methods including Temperature Cycling, THB (85°C/85% RH), Condensation Testing, Burn-In, HALT/HASS, Vibration Testing, and Reliability Demonstration Testing. • Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills related to power electronics hardware, test fixtures, instrumentation, and environmental test systems. • Associate degree in Electronics Technology, Electrical Technology, Mechanical Technology, Mechatronics, HVAC, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent military or industry experience. • IPC certification, electrical technician training, or EPA Section 608 certification is a plus. Communication & Documentation • Strong written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to maintain accurate test logs, inspection records, maintenance records, and failure analysis documentation. • Comfortable communicating technical findings to engineers, technicians, vendors, and management. Physical Requirements & Working Conditions • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and safely move test hardware and fixtures. • Comfortable working around energized power electronics, environmental chambers, vibration systems, and laboratory equipment while following established safety procedures. • Ability to stand, bend, climb ladders, and work inside large environmental test chambers when required. • Willingness to support long-duration testing activities that may occasionally require off-hours monitoring, troubleshooting, or test recovery support. Please note: This role requires working on-site 5 days a week. We do not offer hybrid or remote options. Reno Pay Range $30—$47 USD Candidate Confidentiality & Information Protection As part of our commitment to protecting confidential and proprietary information, candidates should not disclose or provide Amperesand with any confidential, proprietary, or trade secret information belonging to a current or former employer or any other third party during the application or interview process. Please do not submit or present employer-owned source code, schematics, designs, technical documentation, internal presentations, customer information, prototypes, or other confidential materials. Candidates should discuss their experience and accomplishments at an appropriate level and use only information and materials they are authorized to share. Pay Disclosure & Benefits Compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law. The benefits outlined below apply exclusively to employees located in the United States. • Competitive Salary + Incentive Stock Options • Medical, vision, and dental benefits for employees and their dependents, effective from the start of hire • Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance • 401k retirement savings plan through Empower • Employees receive paid time off (PTO), paid sick days, and paid company holidays • Commuter Benefits • 100% paid maternal leave (12 weeks) and paternal leave (6 weeks) Singapore-based employees receive benefits in accordance with local government provisions. Equal Employment Opportunity Amperesand is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. Amperesand is also committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your recruiter know if you need an accommodation at any point during the interview process.