Reliability Engineer
Palo Alto, CA
Engineering – General Engineering /
Full-time (Exempt) /
On-site
Pivotal is the leader in the emerging market of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. We design, develop, and manufacture light eVTOL aircraft and are renowned for the BlackFly, the first light eVTOL to fly manned missions and enter the consumer market.
Efficient, compact, and simple, Pivotal vehicles are designed for a wide range of consumer, public service, and defense applications. Our distinctive tilt-aircraft architecture and scalable platform have been in development, preparing to enter the market for over 10 years. We recently announced our next-generation aircraft, the Helix, planned for general release and scalable production in 2025.
Mobility is one of the most highly-valued areas of technology investment today. This is the right company, in the right space, the right strategy, at the right time. We invite you to join our amazing team and grow with us.
We are seeking a Reliability Engineer to support the development of our cutting-edge eVTOL aircraft from concept through production. In this position, you will be responsible for ensuring the reliability, availability, and maintainability (RAM) of aircraft systems required to meet or exceed safety, performance, and regulatory requirements. Your work will directly impact the safety, operational efficiency, and customer experience of our revolutionary air mobility platform.
As a Reliability Engineer, you will develop, lead, and maintain reliability requirements and system reliability in conjunction with the engineering leads. You will work seamlessly across functions and understand the systems engineering approach and execution of a complex system development effort. As the ideal candidate, you are comfortable with a range of tools including Relyence for reliability, JAMA for requirements and a variety of project management tools including Git Lab and MS Project. You are tenacious and drive accountability and leverage the collective smarts of teams to find better solutions – committed to “finding a way”.
Ideally, you also bring a passion for technology, aviation, and the future of personal flight!
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of Reliability Program Plans
- Work closely with Engineering leads to support the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) on each sub system
- Perform Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Reliability Block Diagrams (RBDs) and Weibull analysis for each aircraft system
- Perform reliability & failure analysis and qualification for product launch
- Work closely with engineering teams to assess the reliability of a product and use it to improve product performance and inform new product design
- Assist with the Management, validation, and document verification of requirements at the system and subsystem levels
- Assist with managing requirements traceability and evolution through the system development cycleIdentifies, analyzes and resolves system design weaknesses
- Influences the shaping of future products by contributing to the framework (architecture) used across multiple products or systems
- Collaborate with engineers in compliance analysis, system interface definitions, and associated requirements definition.
- Ensure “white spaces” in verification and validation plans or results are quickly resolved while keeping project on track to schedule
- Engage with our test team on verification & validation (V&V) test plans to ensure comprehensive coverage of requirements
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Engineering/Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace, or Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
- 5+ years experience using a reliability analysis tool (Relyence preferred)
- 3+ years experience in a systems-type product development environment involving requirements development, FMEA, compliance standards, and V&V test planning
- 6+ years of combined experience in reliability and systems engineering
- Familiarity with FAA PT103, PT23, DO-160 and MIL STD 810
- Ability to understand specifications, test plans, procedures, and reports as it relates to reliability
- Exhibits effective problem-solving, analytical, and interpersonal skills
- Consistently demonstrates teamwork and collaboration, and puts the success of the team above one's own interests
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Taking a product from concept to production with contract manufacturers is a plus
- Exposure to Guidance Navigation (GNC) and Control Systems is highly desired
- Experience with Modeling, Simulation & Control and Model-Based Systems Engineering is helpful but not required
- Knowledge of Simulink, Ansys and Solidworks preferred
- Proficiency with C/C++ and Matlab
- Proficiency with office software and computer based productivity tools is a must
Attributes aligned with Core Values
- Demonstrates a proactive safety mindset by embedding safety into daily operations, identifying and mitigating risks through assessments and training, encouraging open dialogue on safety concerns, and continuously improving protocols to ensure a safe work environment.
- Puts customers at the center of every action by deeply understanding their challenges, delivering exceptional value, and striving to exceed expectations to support their success as our core purpose.
- Actively seeks and values diverse stakeholder perspectives, builds cross-functional relationships, and fosters trust through empathetic, fact-based communication.
- Drives results with clarity and purpose by focusing on what matters most, adapting to change, taking initiative, and owning outcomes while aligning actions with a clear understanding of success at every level.
- Navigates ambiguity with resilience and bold thinking by challenging the status quo and combining innovative ideas with practical best practices to overcome obstacles and drive progress.
- Fosters a high-performance culture grounded in respect and professionalism consistently balancing high expectations with a healthy, collaborative environment.
- Is always a trusted, dependable teammate.
$82,500 - $187,500 a year
Applicants must be eligible for employment in the United States and willing to work onsite at our HQ office in Palo Alto, CA.
Pivotal offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401k plans.
Pivotal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pivotal does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.
