Senior Failure Analysis Engineer

About this role

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at jnj.com

As guided by Our Credo, Johnson & Johnson is responsible to our employees who work with us throughout the world.  We provide an inclusive work environment where each person is considered as an individual.  At Johnson & Johnson, we respect the diversity and dignity of our employees and recognize their merit.

Job Function: R&D Product Development

Job Sub Function: R&D Mechanical Engineering

Job Category: Scientific/Technology

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 Senior Failure Analysis Engineer for the Ottava R&D Reliability Team. This position is located in Santa Clara, CA.

What We Do:

The Ottava R&D team envisions a future for robotic intervention that is targeted, minimally invasive, and personalized. Building upon a deep understanding of patient and physician needs, we are developing a platform for the next evolution of soft-tissue robotic care.

Who We Are:

We are a team of mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, robotic controls, software, and clinical 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 design approach to product development that requires us to collaborate closely across clinical, capital hardware, and instruments & accessories teams. We value autonomy and empower each other to take action while remaining a supportive and closely knit team. We take pride in our culture and are committed to building an environment that is inclusive and promotes diversity of thought through varied experiences and backgrounds. The Ottava Reliability Engineering team is responsible for ensuring system reliability, availability, maintainability, and long-term product performance throughout development, Early Access, and commercial deployment. The team drives reliability growth through data-driven engineering, reliability testing, field performance monitoring, and root cause investigation.

You:

As the Senior Failure Analysis Engineer, you will play a key role in advancing the reliability of the OTTAVA surgical robotic platform by leading the Hardware Team’s Failure Analysis (FA) capability. In this role, you will serve as the technical lead for complex investigations across development, verification, manufacturing, service, and field-returned systems. You will establish robust investigation methodologies, develop laboratory capabilities, manage analytical equipment and external laboratory partnerships, and help strengthen structured root cause analysis practices across engineering teams. This role offers the opportunity to combine hands-on technical investigation with process development, laboratory ownership, and cross-functional leadership to build a scalable Failure Analysis function that supports product reliability and continuous improvement throughout the Ottava lifecycle.

Responsibilities:

• Lead complex mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, and system-level failure investigations, driving issues from initial assessment through root cause identification, corrective action, and successful resolution.

• Partner closely with Design Engineering teams to translate investigation findings into meaningful product and design improvements that enhance quality, reliability, and customer experience.

• Ensure learnings from investigations are integrated into design controls, risk assessments, FMEAs, reliability strategies, manufacturing processes, and service procedures.

• Collaborate with Reliability Engineering to leverage failure analysis insights and accelerate reliability growth initiatives across the product lifecycle.

• Coordinate and oversee advanced analytical testing, including materials characterization, microscopy, contamination analysis, chemical analysis, and advanced imaging techniques.

• Support product quality and reliability efforts through complaint investigations, field-return analysis, manufacturing nonconformance investigations, and reliability testing activities.

• Clearly communicate technical findings, recommendations, and business impact to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership.

• Establish and monitor key performance indicators to measure investigation effectiveness, recurrence prevention, cycle time, and organizational learning.

• Develop and execute the long-term vision, strategy, and roadmap for Failure Analysis capabilities, including laboratory infrastructure, equipment, and technology investments.

• Build and maintain laboratory processes that promote operational excellence, including safety, sample handling, calibration, equipment maintenance, and resource utilization.

• Serve as the primary technical interface for external analytical laboratories, testing partners, and specialized service providers.

• Facilitate cross-functional problem-solving efforts using structured methodologies such as 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone Analysis, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and data-driven decision making.

• Define, implement, and continuously improve failure analysis workflows, procedures, standards, templates, and best practices to enhance efficiency, consistency, and quality.

Qualifications Required Knowledge/Skills, Education, And Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Material

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