Staff Field Reliability Engineer at ALSO (Palo Alto, CA)
ALSO· Palo Alto, CA· $200k–$240k·
Role details
Summary
The Field Reliability Engineer tracks and improves the reliability of electric mobility vehicles in the field to optimize customer experience. Responsibilities include monitoring field performance, performing life data analysis, validating customer usage, and developing service platforms and failure analysis processes.
Job description
About ALSO. We’re ALSO, an electric mobility company originally conceived as a part of Rivian. We’re a passionate team of builders, dreamers, doers and innovators, focused on creating entirely new (not to mention, innovative and delightful) vertically integrated, small EVs designed to meet the global mobility challenges of today and tomorrow. Our mission is to inspire everyone to ride ALSO—replacing many local car, truck and SUV miles with ones on vehicles that are more affordable, more enjoyable and 10-50x more efficient.
ALSO is looking for a Staff Field Reliability Engineer to track and improve the reliability of our electric mobility vehicles in the field, helping optimize the customer experience across multiple product lines.
What You'll Do
- Monitor field performance and identify failure trends across vehicle platforms, perform life data analysis (Weibull), identify risk areas, and implement process or design changes to address them, tracking reliability growth over time
- Validate customer usage against assumed rider profiles and duty cycles to identify gaps in the reliability test plan, and develop novel damage metrics to more accurately model failure mechanisms
- Work with the Service team to develop a common service platform and database across channel partners that can be queried for customer complaints and part replacements, helping define what information gets documented
- Develop a material review board (MRB) process for disposition (rework/reman, scrap, return for analysis), and complete failure analysis of returned parts to identify and implement corrective actions
- Define the ongoing reliability testing (ORT) plan
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor of Science in an engineering discipline or equivalent, with 2+ years of industry experience in a reliability engineering role
- Technical knowledge of one or more aspects of reliability, including PCBA and electronic components, battery and power electronics, drive units, and chassis systems
- Understanding of reliability statistics, life data analysis, and reliability growth
- Experience with structured problem solving such as FRACA or 8D, and root cause analysis (RCA) tools such as 5 Whys, Fishbone, Fault Tree, and FMEA
- Working knowledge of a coding language, preferably Python, and statistical software for reliability such as JMP, the ReliaSoft suite, or MATLAB
- Working knowledge of failure analysis techniques such as SEM, CT, X-ray, EDS, and TDR
- Experience deploying reliability testing guidelines and inventing new ways of testing
The salary for this position ranges from $200,000 - $240,000 per year, depending on experience, qualifications, and location.
This is an onsite position requiring attendance in the office 5 days per week. Once fully ramped and in alignment with their manager, employees may have the opportunity for limited flexibility, including the potential to work remotely one day per week, based on business and team needs.
Perks & Benefits
- Robust health coverage — excellent health, dental and vision insurance covered up to 100% by ALSO with FSA & HSA options
- One Medical membership and dedicated insurance advocates
- Rich fertility and family building benefits with Progyny
- Flexible time off
- 401(k) match
Why ALSO. We’re passionate about helping the world find a better way to get there—wherever it is you’re headed. We’re located in the heart of Silicon Valley and have brought together a world-class team from some of the biggest brands in the technology, automotive, cycling, outdoor recreation and retail spaces. Together we’re working hands-on to imagine, design and build an entirely new solution to a global set of transportation challenges.
Why work at ALSO
- Mission-Driven Culture: Employees are described as “builders, technologists, designers, and dreamers” focused on creating sustainable, delightful mobility.
- High-Growth Environment: Headcount has tripled year-over-year, offering early employees significant impact and career acceleration.
- Top-Tier Team: Colleagues come from Rivian, Tesla, Apple, Cruise, and other elite companies, fostering a culture of craft and excellence.
- Technical Depth: Opportunities to work on cutting-edge EV hardware, software, autonomy, and battery systems. Open roles include Senior Software Engineer (ML), Motor Controls Engineer, Battery Design Engineer, and Staff Reliability Engineer.
- Office Locations: Hubs in Palo Alto (vehicle engineering, software, design), Seattle (customer experience & commerce), and Taichung, Taiwan (supply chain & logistics). The work policy is not explicitly stated but likely hybrid or office-first given the hardware focus.
- Perks: Not publicly detailed, but as a well-funded unicorn, competitive compensation and equity packages are standard.