What it Takes to Become a Reliability Engineer Analyst

Engineers have a variety of career options available to them. There are many factors to consider, including qualifications, interests, skills, and lifestyle. A growing field is working as a reliability engineer analyst. Here is everything you need to know about the position, including running a worst case analysis and the pay.

What Are the Reliability Engineer Analyst Qualifications?

An analyst must meet certain requirements in order to be considered for most jobs. To start, most positions require at least a bachelor’s degree with coursework in electrical engineering, physics, or an equivalent field. Experience or coursework in reliability engineering design and analysis, worst case analysis, reliability assessment, modeling, or systems evaluation can also be helpful. Analysts must not only be able to understand and develop systems, but also have strong oral and written communication skills to clearly summarize their findings.

More advanced positions often require years of experience in electronic systems reliability activities. The more senior the position, the more years of experience are typically required. Entry-level positions may require an internship for new employees to get their foot in the door to understand the industry and what is required of the position. However, some companies are willing to train on the job if the candidate has the right education and skillset.

Depending on the type of work and company, the position may require the applicant to be a U.S. citizen and to pass a National Agency Check. This is typically for government-related projects or contracts related to confidential information or products.

How Much Does a Reliability Engineer Analyst Get Paid?

The pay depends on the type of company and the years of experience. As with other industries, more senior positions tend to pay more. The average salary in the U.S. is around $101,000. That average considers a wide range of salaries from different locations and different experience levels. The typical starting salary is around $69,000, and many organizations provide opportunities to grow and advance, which comes with a higher pay level. Most analysts are paid with a salary and receive benefits packages. Any additional money over the average salary is based on bonuses, not overtime.

What Are the Responsibilities of a Reliability Engineer?

Analysts typically have a wide range of responsibilities, including preparing product reliability plans and establishing the requirements for reliability programs. An RF analyst might also monitor the programs and perform reliability analysis and worst case analysis. Most job responsibilities include initiating and implementing plans to improve the safety, cost, and quality of manufacturing. Analysts will work with other departments to prepare reports and support design teams as needed. Their goal is to ensure the project runs smoothly and that the model is accurate and will be successful.

Depending on the type of position, some analysts may be subject matter experts and focus solely on one area, such as certain types of analysis or models. Other positions require a wider range of knowledge to work on all areas of system design and testing. In general, the main responsibility is to ensure the design and manufacturing processes are smooth and successful.

Reliability engineer analysts are in high demand and have many work opportunities. Job candidates who understand what it takes to become an analyst can have great success by getting the right education and experience and applying their skills. Understanding the basics and the pay scale can help determine if this is the right career path.