Staff Field Reliability Engineer

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Job Function: R&D Product Development Job Sub Function: R&D Mechanical Engineering Job Category: People Leader All Job Posting Locations: Santa Clara, California, United States of America Job Description: The Robotics and Digital solutions (RAD) group, part of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, is recruiting for a Staff Field Reliability Engineer for the Robotics and Digital R&D Team. This position is located in Santa Clara, CA. What We Do: At Johnson & Johnson MedTech, we are building the future of robotic surgery and healthcare through innovation and technical excellence. Our goal is to develop advanced robotic platforms that are precise, reliable, and accessible. Our team focuses on creating solutions that empower surgeons and improve patient outcomes worldwide. Who We Are: Within RAD R&D we are a team of clinical, electrical, firmware, mechanical, mechatronics, robotic controls, systems and software engineers who are passionate about improving patient care. The team includes a wide range of experience levels from junior engineers to industry experts. We follow an iterative, collaborative approach to product development, working across clinical, instrument, accessories, and system teams. We prioritize autonomy, foster a culture of learning, and value diversity of thought and background. Our environment is inclusive, supportive, and driven by a shared commitment to innovation and excellence in healthcare. You: As a leader in our team, you will join us in our journey to deliver some of the most advanced medical robotic systems in the world. In this role you will design and help set-up processes within R&D to analyze field and internal test data, perform root-cause investigations, and strengthen product reliability and robustness. This role will define field reliability metrics, establish the infrastructure for monitoring product performance in the field, and partner closely with Design for Reliability, Failure Analysis, Design Engineering, Service Engineering, and field organizations to reduce customer-impacting issues and verify the effectiveness of corrective actions. Performance Objectives and Responsibilities: Review and analyze field return data, service records, and warranty trends to identify reliability risks and prioritize top field issues. Lead and/or coordinate Failure Analysis (FA) and root-cause investigations; translate findings into actionable corrective and preventive actions. Develop and maintain reliability metrics and dashboards (e.g., failure rate, PPM, FRU rates) and present findings to multi-functional partners. Recommend and validate Preventive Maintenance (PM) methods and intervals based on testing, reliability modeling, and field performance for Field Replacement Units (FRU) and applicable components. Coordinate with field service teams to identify operational or environmental stressors and deviations from test conditions; translate into test case modifications or design inputs. Partner with the DfR and design engineering teams to feed field-derived failure modes into product specifications, FMEAs, and design changes. Review internal test and stress data to validate failure mechanisms and compare lab vs. field behavior. Work with multi-functional teams (FA, DfR, service, supply chain, manufacturing) to determine, implement, and verify corrective actions; follow through to closure and measure impact. Document findings and lessons learned; train service and field teams on updated procedures and PM methods when required. Support product launches and field rollouts with reliability readiness reviews and post-launch monitoring. Required Experience and Skills: Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Materials Engineering or related technical field. 8+ years experience in reliability engineering, field engineering, failure analysis, or equivalent role supporting products in the field. Hands-on experience reviewing field returns, coordinating FA investigations, and driving corrective actions across multi-functional teams. Strong data analysis skills; proficiency with statistical reliability methods (failure rate analysis, basic Weibull concepts, trend analysis). Experience with test vs. field correlation and designing test protocols to replicate field failure modes. Practical knowledge of FMEA processes and how field data should feed into DFx activities. Excellent problem-solving skills, structured root-cause investigation methodology, and technical writing skills to produce clear FA reports and corrective action plans. Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to influence engineering, service, and supply chain partners. Experience with common analysis tools (Excel/Power BI/Tableau, plus at least one scripting/statistics tool such as Python, R, Minitab, or JMP). Preferred Experience and Skills: Master’s degree in Engineering or related field. Prior experience working directly with DfR / FA teams or within organizations that separate these functions. Hands-on FA lab experience (SEM, XRF, cross-sectioning, thermal imaging, electrical debug) or close collabora