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Staff Failure Analysis Engineer

Palo Alto, California

About Wing: 

Wing offers drone delivery as a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for last mile logistics. Consumer appetites for on-demand services are increasing, but current delivery methods are inefficient, costly, and contribute to road accidents and air pollution. Wing’s fleet of highly automated delivery drones can transport small packages directly from businesses to homes on-demand, in minutes. We design, build, and operate our aircraft, and offer drone delivery services on three continents. Our technology is designed to be easy to integrate into existing delivery and logistics networks, offering a scalable drone delivery solution for a broad range of businesses. Wing is a part of Google's parent company, Alphabet, and our mission is to create the preferred means of delivery for the planet. If you're ready to do the greatest work of your life, come join us.

About the Role:

Wing is looking for a Staff Failure Analysis Engineer to join our HW Reliability & Failure Analysis team. This role will be based in Palo Alto, CA. The position seeks highly motivated individuals who enjoy working in a highly dynamic team environment.  As a Staff Failure Analysis Engineer, you will be a key player in ensuring the reliability, safety, and performance of our aircraft throughout the lifecycle—from prototype development to real-world fleet operations. You will lead investigations into electrical and electronic failures across critical subsystems such as BMS, motors, ESCs, sensors, and control electronics, helping our teams identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and improve design for maximum reliability. Your work will play a critical role in ensuring our aircraft deliver small packages safely, reliably, and on time, helping us provide a seamless experience for our customers every day.

 

What You’ll Do: 

  • Perform failure analysis investigations on mechanical, electrical, and material, across components, subsystems, and complete aircraft.
  • Perform in-depth failure analysis on both electrical (e.g., power distribution, connectors, wiring harnesses, motors) and electronics (e.g., PCBAs, ICs, sensors, communication circuits) to identify root causes of failures across component, module, and system levels.
  • Troubleshoot failures using schematics, circuit tracing, fault isolation techniques, and Design of Experiments.
  • Apply advanced analytical techniques (e.g., SEM/EDS, X-ray, CT scan, FTIR, FIB, cross-sectioning) to uncover complex failure modes.
  • Translate physical failure evidence into actionable root-cause conclusions that drive design, process, and supplier improvements.
  • Provide technical guidance on failure risks in ESCs, BMS, avionics systems, and sensors critical to aircraft performance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams (design, reliability, manufacturing, and suppliers) to drive corrective actions and prevent recurrence.
  • Support NPI (New Product Introduction), Design Validation, and Production Qualification with proactive electrical FA insights.
  • Provide comprehensive technical reports to internal stakeholders on findings from subsystem & component failure investigations.
  • Lead cross-functional investigations and prepare 8D reports.
  • Mentor FA engineers and provide technical leadership on complex and high-impact failure investigations..
  • Ensure timely failure analysis turnaround to support internal stakeholders and operational/MFG teams.
  • Establish, standardize, and continuously improve failure analysis processes to ensure consistency, efficiency, and high-quality root cause investigations across all hardware platforms.
  • Maintain a failure database with detailed findings, images, and conclusions.
  • Bring-up new internal and external test infrastructure to validate failure signatures observed in field and operation.

 

What You’ll Need: 

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, or related field. 
  • 8+ years in failure analysis, staff-level experience preferred.
  • Proficient in 8D problem-solving methodology.
  • Excellent analytical and troubleshooting skills.
  • Hands-on experience with electrical FA tools, non destructive, and destructive FA methods (oscilloscopes, curve tracers, TDR, SEM/EDX, FTIR, CT Scan, etc.).
  • Preferred hands-on failure analysis experience with key aircraft HW subsystems/components including, BMS, ESC, Avionics, Servo, and sensors.
  • Experience reviewing PCB layouts and schematics.
  • Experience with PCB/PCBA assembly and SMT processes, including identifying failures related to assembly or soldering defects.
  • Experienced in working with external vendors or labs.
  • Strong communication and leadership skills.

The US base salary range for this full-time position is the salary range below + bonus + equity + benefits. Wing’s salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.

Salary Range

$232,000 - $247,000 USD

Wing is an equal opportunity employer and it is Wing's policy to comply with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. Employment at Wing is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Wing does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law.

If you have a need that requires accommodation during the interview process due to a disability or special need, please let us know by completing our Candidate Accommodations Request Form.

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