Failure Analysis Engineer (Materials Engineering)

Location: Onsite in Hampton, Virginia, United States of America. Candidates must be U.S. Persons under ITAR, including U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or protected individuals.

Salary: $55–$60 per hour.

Company

hirify.global is a global services firm with more than 9,000 associates, providing talent and technology solutions for public and commercial sector clients.

What you will do

• Investigate customer returns, warranty claims, manufacturing defects, reliability failures, field returns, and customer complaints.
• Conduct destructive and non-destructive analyses to identify failure modes and mechanisms using microscopy, metallography, cross-section analysis, material characterization, X-ray inspection, and SEM/EDS.
• Prepare samples, perform laboratory investigations, and produce technical reports documenting findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Support root cause investigations using 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, Fault Tree Analysis, and/or Red X methodologies.
• Collaborate with Product, Manufacturing, Quality Engineering, and Operations teams to resolve technical, process, yield, scrap, and reliability issues.
• Analyze failure trends, support DFMEA/PFMEA and Lessons Learned activities, maintain quality documentation, and contribute to reliability, quality, cost, and customer satisfaction improvements.

Requirements

• B.S. degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a related technical field.
• 3–5 years of experience in Failure Analysis, Materials Engineering, Reliability Engineering, Product Engineering, Quality Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Hands-on experience with root cause investigations and failure analysis activities.
• Knowledge of analytical and laboratory techniques including microscopy, metallography, cross-sectioning, SEM/EDS, X-ray, FTIR, DSC, or related methods.
• Strong understanding of engineering problem-solving methods including 8D, 5 Why, Fishbone, and Fault Tree Analysis.
• Experience supporting customer complaint investigations and corrective actions.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications, product requirements, and engineering documentation.
• Ability to communicate with customers and team members by phone and in person and safely perform the essential job functions, including repetitive computer-based work.

Nice to have

• Knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 13485, AS9100, or other quality systems and standards.
• Experience with statistical software and analysis tools such as Minitab.
• Six Sigma Green Belt, Red X, or equivalent problem-solving certification.
• Excellent technical report writing and communication skills.
• Ability to independently manage multiple investigations and prioritize activities.

Culture & Benefits

• Full-time employment in an onsite engineering role supporting multiple manufacturing sites and business units in a global environment.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement account access.
• Paid sick leave and/or other paid time off as provided by applicable law.
• Reasonable accommodation is available throughout the application and selection process.