Reliability Testing Engineer- Thermal and Mechanical

Cerebras Systems builds the world's largest AI chip, 56 times larger than GPUs. Our novel wafer-scale architecture provides the AI compute power of dozens of GPUs on a single chip, with the programming simplicity of a single device. This approach allows Cerebras to deliver industry-leading training and inference speeds and empowers machine learning users to effortlessly run large-scale ML applications, without the hassle of managing hundreds of GPUs or TPUs.  

Cerebras' current customers include global corporations across multiple industries, national labs, and top-tier healthcare systems. In January, we announced a multi-year, multi-million-dollar partnership with Mayo Clinic, underscoring our commitment to transforming AI applications across various fields. In August, we launched Cerebras Inference, the fastest Generative AI inference solution in the world, over 10 times faster than GPU-based hyperscale cloud inference services.

The Role:

The Thermal Mechanical Reliability Test Engineer owns hands-on thermal and mechanical reliability testing for AI hardware systems and subassemblies. This role designs and runs environmental and mechanical stress tests, builds fixtures and instrumentation, and delivers clear, traceable data that drives design, process, and supplier improvements. The work is lab-heavy, fast-paced, and highly cross-functional. This role owns test execution end-to-end: planning, setup, execution, data quality, and reporting.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute thermal and mechanical reliability test plans, including thermal cycling, thermal soak, humidity, vibration, mechanical shock, pressure cycling, and combined environment testing.
• Design and build fixtures, mounting hardware, and test setups for system and component testing, including plumbing, strain management, leak mitigation, and electrical continuity monitoring when needed.
• Own instrumentation and data acquisition for reliability experiments (temperature, pressure, flow, differential pressure, vibration response, valve position, pump speed, power, and current).
• Operate and maintain readiness of test equipment (thermal chambers, shakers, shock systems, chillers, pumps, DAQ) and coordinate calibration and preventive maintenance.
• Define stress profiles, failure definitions, and acceptance criteria using physics-of-failure thinking and practical constraints (sample size, test duration, measurement uncertainty).
• Plan and execute design of experiments (DOEs) to evaluate materials, assembly changes, supplier changes, or process improvements and quantify impact on reliability.
• Partner with Failure Analysis and Design Engineering to troubleshoot anomalies, correlate failures to test conditions, and drive root cause and corrective actions.
• Coordinate with external labs for specialized testing (shock and vibration overflow, metrology, or analysis), including test scope definition and data review.
• Document test setups, procedures, results, and recommendations clearly and consistently; present findings to engineering and program stakeholders.
• Maintain a strong safety culture in the lab (risk assessments, safe operation of high-temperature equipment, pressurized systems, rotating equipment, and electrical hazards).

Skills & Qualifications:

• BS or MS in Mechanical, Electrical, or Reliability Engineering, or equivalent technical discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in reliability or environmental testing for electronic or electromechanical products.
• Strong understanding of reliability standards and methods (JEDEC, IPC).
• Hands-on experience in thermal cycling, vibration, humidity, shock, or mechanical fatigue testing.
• Familiarity with DAQ (data acquisition) systems and test automation tools (LabVIEW, Python, PLC).
• Experience performing or interpreting statistical reliability analysis (Weibull, lognormal, MTTF, MTBF).
• Knowledge of GD&T, metrology, and mechanical inspection tools such as calipers, micrometers, and CMMs.
• Exposure to cross-sectioning, microscopy, and precision measurement for failure validation is a plus.
• Strong communication and documentation skills with the ability to summarize complex findings clearly.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, lab-based environment.
• Experience with CAD (SolidWorks, Creo), test automation and data analysis (Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB), and basic CAE tools (ANSYS) preferred. Familiarity with vibration and shock test software is a plus.

The base salary range for this position is $180,000 to $250,000 annually.  Actual compensation may include bonus and equity, and will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, and qualifications.

Why Join Cerebras

People who are serious about software make their own hardware. At Cerebras we have built a breakthrough architecture that is unlocking new opportunities for the AI industry. With dozens of model releases and rapid growth, we’ve reached an inflection  point in our business. Members of our team tell us there are five main reasons they joined Cerebras:

1. Build a breakthrough AI platform beyond the constraints of the GPU.
2. Publish and open source their cutting-edge AI research.
3. Work on one of the fastest AI supercomputers in the world.
4. Enjoy job stability with startup vitality.
5. Our simple, non-corporate work culture that respects individual beliefs.

Read our blog: Five Reasons to Join Cerebras in 2025.

Apply today and become part of the forefront of groundbreaking advancements in AI!

Cerebras Systems is committed to creating an equal and diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate different backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe inclusive teams build better products and companies. We try every day to build a work environment that empowers people to do their best work through continuous learning, growth and support of those around them.

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