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What does a failure analysis engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

A failure analysis engineer is responsible for conducting quality control checks on operational business processes, identifying inconsistencies and errors, and writing recommendations to address failures and increase efficiency. Failure analysis engineers analyze incident reports of operational issues, assisting the technology team in designing high-performing software applications and network systems to support business functions and requirements. They also support the end-users in resolving issues, writing resolution, and creating instructional manuals for reference. A failure analysis engineer should have excellent technical skills, as well as intensive knowledge of engineering products and services.

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Failure analysis engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real failure analysis engineer resumes:

  • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
  • Create numerous Java and C++ base reusable components for both GUI and system services.
  • Lead team of engineers and technicians in the populating of FMEA failure modes and effects data.
  • Complete die-level electrical analysis on defective IC's from quality failures, customer returns, reliability testing and yield improvement.
  • Use a variety of strong acids and bases for package/IC etching.
  • Assemble electronic cash registers, network servers and install OS and test.
  • Train new engineers and associates to troubleshoot ECUs and use equipment for analysis.
  • Set up test environment, and execute test suites under different OS platforms.
  • Defect isolation of CMOS VLSI devices in order to verify failure mode and mechanism.
  • Receive Celestica soldering and ESD training, becoming proficient in current SMT soldering techniques.
  • Develop many software tools in Perl and C++ for verifying chip and package designs.
  • Evaluate CMOS automotive devices from internal and external customers to determine root cause of failures.
  • Present to customers about the capabilities of IBM design tool and methodology, increasing business for IBM ASIC.
  • Optimize IC schematic and layout of NORA latch & shunt peaking buffer to support high performance I/O development.
  • Create C++ monitor and stimulus to verify the correct cache coherence protocol behavior of various fetches between remote clusters

Failure analysis engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Failure Analysis Engineers are proficient in Corrective Action, Failure Analysis, and Data Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

We break down the percentage of Failure Analysis Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Corrective Action, 10%

    Planned and executed Electrical Failure Analysis activities to drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for Digital Signal Processing System products.

  • Failure Analysis, 5%

    Participated in International symposiums and shared knowledge with co-workers on advances in semiconductor industry for failure analysis of advanced transistor devices.

  • Data Analysis, 5%

    Improved overall product yields by identifying and eliminating root causes of defect through recursive experimental redesign methodology and data analysis.

  • Test Equipment, 5%

    Performed failure analysis to signal level using routine test equipment and customized test environments.

  • Failure Analysis Techniques, 4%

    Trained other engineers and technicians in failure analysis techniques.

  • IC, 4%

    Completed die-level electrical analysis on defective IC's from quality failures, customer returns, reliability testing and yield improvement.

Most failure analysis engineers use their skills in "corrective action," "failure analysis," and "data analysis" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential failure analysis engineer responsibilities here:

Speaking skills. A big part of what failure analysis engineers do relies on "speaking skills." You can see how essential it is to failure analysis engineer responsibilities because "industrial engineers sometimes have to explain their instructions to production staff or technicians before they can make written instructions available." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical failure analysis engineer tasks: "addressed issues relating to customer returns, product yield improvement, and qualification. "

Writing skills. A commonly-found skill in failure analysis engineer job descriptions, "writing skills" is essential to what failure analysis engineers do. Failure analysis engineer responsibilities rely on this skill because "industrial engineers must prepare documentation for other engineers or scientists, or for future reference." You can also see how failure analysis engineer duties rely on writing skills in this resume example: "generate writing technical reports and documentation for troubleshooting and failure analysis purposes to customers and manager. "

Math skills. While "math skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to failure analysis engineer responsibilities. Much of what a failure analysis engineer does relies on this skill, seeing as "industrial engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in mathematics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of failure analysis engineers: "performed data mining using sql and quantitative statistical data analysis to characterize disk drive performance and reliability metrics. "

See the full list of failure analysis engineer skills

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Compare different failure analysis engineers

Failure analysis engineer vs. Product development engineer

A Product Development Engineer is responsible for creating and testing new product designs. They collaborate with market researchers to evaluate market needs, existing competition, and potential costs.

We looked at the average failure analysis engineer salary and compared it with the wages of a product development engineer. Generally speaking, product development engineers are paid $4,996 lower than failure analysis engineers per year.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between failure analysis engineers and product development engineers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like corrective action, failure analysis, and data analysis.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, failure analysis engineer responsibilities require skills like "failure analysis techniques," "ic," "fault isolation," and "lab equipment." Meanwhile a typical product development engineer has skills in areas such as "cad," "solidworks," "project management," and "product design." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Product development engineers tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $86,062. In contrast, failure analysis engineers make the biggest average salary, $95,575, in the technology industry.On average, product development engineers reach similar levels of education than failure analysis engineers. Product development engineers are 1.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Failure analysis engineer vs. Engineer

Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.

On average, engineers earn a $1,006 higher salary than failure analysis engineers a year.A few skills overlap for failure analysis engineers and engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "data analysis," "test equipment," and "rf. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that failure analysis engineer responsibilities requires skills like "corrective action," "failure analysis," "failure analysis techniques," and "ic." But an engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #."

Engineers may earn a higher salary than failure analysis engineers, but engineers earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $97,672. On the other hand, failure analysis engineers receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $95,575.In general, engineers achieve similar levels of education than failure analysis engineers. They're 1.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Failure analysis engineer vs. Product engineer

A product engineer specializes in designing and developing commercial materials and services. They are primarily responsible for conducting thorough research and analysis of the latest trends and marketing conditions to come up with new ideas and products for the public. Moreover, they are also responsible for producing reports and presentations, coordinating with the development team of their company. Product engineers also reach out to vendors and suppliers for the raw materials, set regulations and standards for the product, and even conduct a rigorous and regular quality check.

On average, product engineers earn lower salaries than failure analysis engineers, with a $1,426 difference per year.By looking over several failure analysis engineers and product engineers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "corrective action," "failure analysis," and "data analysis." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a failure analysis engineer is likely to be skilled in "failure analysis techniques," "fault isolation," "lab equipment," and "cmos," while a typical product engineer is skilled in "cad," "product design," "project management," and "c++."

Product engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $90,301. On the other hand, failure analysis engineers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $95,575.Most product engineers achieve a similar degree level compared to failure analysis engineers. For example, they're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Failure analysis engineer vs. Production engineer

A production engineer is responsible for monitoring the production operations, ensuring everyone's adherence to safety protocols, and evaluating the staff's performance, strategizing on maximizing productivity to deliver efficient results that would drive revenues and increase profitability. Production engineers inspect the reliability of production equipment and machinery, conducting preventive maintenance, and repair inconsistencies to prevent production delays. They also identify areas of improvement with the manufacturing processes and escalate best practices for improvement. A production engineer must be knowledgeable about technological advancements and incorporate ideas to minimize costs without sacrificing the quality of services.

Production engineers tend to earn a lower pay than failure analysis engineers by an average of $1,344 per year.While their salaries may vary, failure analysis engineers and production engineers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "corrective action," "test equipment," and "product quality. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between failure analysis engineers and production engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a failure analysis engineer might have more use for skills like "failure analysis," "data analysis," "failure analysis techniques," and "ic." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of production engineers require skills like "tcp ip," "lean manufacturing," "sigma," and "production process. "

In general, production engineers earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $111,622. The highest-paying industry for a failure analysis engineer is the technology industry.The average resume of production engineers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to failure analysis engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 4.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 3.1%.

Types of failure analysis engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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