R&D Reliability/Test Engineer - June 2027 Grads

Formlabs
Somerville, MA
On-site

Who this role is best for

Strong fit for recent graduates with hands-on testing experience who can manage complex electromechanical systems and analyze field data.

Best fit for

  • Candidates who can influence product design for reliability from day one
    — “contribute to design reviews, influencing product design for reliability from day one”
  • Individuals capable of building automated testing equipment and interpreting data
    — “Design, build, and implement automated testing equipment for subsystem characterization and reliability/environmental testing.”

Things to consider

  • The role requires a strong focus on reliability and testing, not just general engineering skills
    — “The Reliability Engineering Team is the company's independent voice on product robustness”
  • Candidates must be able to work in an agile, small team environment
    — “small and agile R&D Reliability Engineering Team”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience with accelerated lifetime testing and system-level validation
    — “Conducted millions of cycles of accelerated lifetime testing”
  • Emphasize ability to develop and execute test plans efficiently
    — “know how to execute them efficiently within fast-paced product development timelines”
  • Showcase data analysis skills with actionable insights from test results
    — “distill complex test results and field data into clear, concise, and compelling insights that drive action”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · MediumDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • reliable product development
  • effective testing strategies
  • clear corrective action plans
Typical background
electromechanical engineeringreliability engineering

Skills & requirements

Required

Electromechanical SystemsRoot Cause AnalysisTest Plan DevelopmentData Analysis

Preferred

Python ProgrammingAutomated Testing Equipment Design

Stack & domain

Electromechanical SystemsTestingRoot Cause AnalysisAutomated Testing EquipmentData AnalysisPythonProblem-solvingCommunicationTeamworkAdaptability3D PrintingHardware Testing

About the role

Original posting from Formlabs

What Formlabs Does:

Do you want to change how the world creates?

At Formlabs, we’re building the tools that make it possible for anyone to bring their ideas to life, from cutting-edge products to life-saving medical devices. Our 3D printing technology powers innovation at more than 50,000 industry leaders worldwide, including Apple, Google, Tesla, New Balance, and NASA. Together, we’re helping creators design, prototype, and manufacture faster than ever before.

We’re a team of hands-on builders, engineers, and innovators reinventing how the world makes physical things. If you’re ready to shape the future of fabrication, come build it with us.

Your Impact: 

The Reliability Engineering Team is the company's independent voice on product robustness, ensuring our hardware products are reliable so that Customers spend more time printing and less time troubleshooting. We architect effective testing strategies, engineer advanced electro-mechanical test rigs, and extract valuable, actionable insights from the data. 

Are you a versatile and curious engineer who can see the whole system—from the smallest part to the user's workflow? Can you take complex data and turn it into a clear, compelling story? If so, join our small and agile R&D Reliability Engineering Team.

What You’ll Do:

Develop, execute, and manage system, subsystem, and component level validation test plans to ensure products meet design and reliability requirements. 

Perform hands-on and data-driven root cause analysis (RCA) of electromechanical subsystems and field failures, utilizing common problem-solving methodologies and a "physics of failure" approach.

Design, build, and implement automated testing equipment for subsystem characterization and reliability/environmental testing.

Collaborate with R&D design teams throughout product development to perform risk assessments, manage continuous testing, and contribute to design reviews, influencing product design for reliability from day one.

Analyze field failure data to identify trends, prioritize investigations based on business value, and develop clear, actionable corrective action plans (CAPAs).

Our team did the testing to ensure Form 4 would be the most reliable printer Formlabs has ever built:

LCD & Light Engine: Developed custom rigs to simulate UV light and heat, continuously monitoring performance over thousands of hours.

Mixer Scraper: Tested our proprietary debris detection hardware to protect the LPU from damage.

Z-Axis: Conducted millions of cycles of accelerated lifetime testing to ensure consistent motion.

Tank Film: Developed custom pneumatic fixtures to ensure that tank tension remained high after tens of thousands of layers.

Cartridge & Dispense System: Optimized cartridge geometry to ensure reliable dispensing of all kinds of Formlabs materials.

Watch here to see a breakdown of these systems in action!

About You:

Well-versed with complex electromechanical systems and passionate about understanding what it takes to make them work reliably.

Have experience with testing a wide range of sensors, actuators, and mechanical components.

Have experience developing system test plans and know how to execute them efficiently within fast-paced product development timelines.

Can prototype and run your own tests, from experimental setup to hardware and software implementation in Python.

Possess strong data analysis skills, capable of distilling complex test results and field data into clear, concise, and compelling insights that drive action.

Bonus Skills:

Familiarity with Linux systems and scripting in various languages.

Experience with SQL for data analysis.

Prior experience with field failure analysis or quality engineering roles is a plus.

Our Perks & Benefits:

Robust equity program to build future wealth through RSUs

Comprehensive healthcare coverage (Medical, Dental, Vision)

401K matching and access to financial advisors

Generous paid Parental Leave (up to 16 weeks)

Tenure-based paid Sabbatical Leave (up to 6 weeks)

Flexible Out of Office Plan – Take time when you need it

Ample on-site parking & pre-tax commuter benefits

Healthy on-site lunches, snacks, beverages, & treats

Regular sponsored professional development opportunities

Many opt-in culture events across our diverse community

And of course… unlimited 3D prints

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.  

Even if you don't check every box, but see yourself contributing, please apply. Help us build an inclusive community that will change the face of 3D printing.

Compensation

Every Formlabs employee receives equity because everyone contributes to building the company. You’ll have the opportunity to share financially in the value we create together, with a shared incentive to build a business that succeeds over the long term. Equity will be a significant portion of your total compensation, and will increase over time in proportion to your impact. The base pay will be determined by your skills, qualifications, experience, location, and expected impact on the organization.

The annual base pay range for this role is:$85,000—$123,000 USD

Source: Formlabs careers

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