Head of Hardware Reliability & Failure Analysis

About Halter

Halter is dedicated to empowering farmers and graziers with technology that enables highly productive and sustainable farming practices. Our innovative approach allows livestock to move calmly and naturally without the need for traditional control methods like quad bikes, dogs, or fences. Our customers are revolutionizing grazing methods, improving lives, and transforming the industry. We operate with a high-performance culture focused on solving difficult problems and making meaningful world changes. We are supported by major Tier 1 investors including Founders Fund, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck.

Role Overview

We seek a Head of Reliability and Failure Analysis to establish and lead our internal reliability team. This role is critical as we evolve our robust hardware products that withstand demanding farm conditions. The ideal candidate will transform reliability management from an artisanal practice into a scientific discipline to support confident scaling across multiple product lines simultaneously. This position is a pivotal leadership role reporting to the VP of Product & Engineering and will guide three main capabilities: reliability engineering, test engineering, and failure analysis.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain clear definitions and standards of reliability tailored for each product and major changes.
• Translate real-world risks into explicit requirements, comprehensive test plans, and defined readiness milestones.
• Lead reliability sign-offs for crucial points such as Design Verification Testing (DVT) and Production Verification Testing (PVT).
• Balance the depth of reliability efforts effectively, focusing engineering resources on key priorities.
• Collaborate early with the design teams to embed reliability considerations in architecture, materials, and margins before prototyping.
• Establish repeatable, scalable test systems that generate trustworthy, high-integrity data.
• Oversee all aspects of test engineering, including test chambers, rigs, data acquisition systems, automation, procedures, and calibration strategies.
• Drive throughput improvements while preserving data quality.
• Lead comprehensive failure investigations from field returns and testing, fostering effective corrective actions.
• Operate and develop the failure analysis laboratory and associated processes.
• Implement a systematic investigation process from symptom identification to root cause, corrective action, and verification.
• Work closely with design, production, and supplier quality teams to translate insights into lasting product improvements.
• Build, mentor, and manage talented teams covering reliability, test, and failure analysis functions.
• Establish regular operational rhythms including reliability reviews, readiness gates, investigation tracking, and cross-functional collaboration.

Success Indicators

• Confident product launches backed by rigorous, documented evidence.
• Progressive reduction in field failures with swift and permanent corrective measures.
• Clear, respected documentation and decisions surrounding reliability practice.
• Robust, scalable test systems with high data trustworthiness.
• A proud, world-class team maintaining rigorous reliability standards.
• Recognition of Halter globally for dependable hardware products.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least 8 years of leadership experience, preferably in high-reliability IoT or consumer electronics hardware.
• Proven experience working in fast-paced scale-up product environments with high accountability.
• Expertise in environmental testing, accelerated life testing, HALT/HASS methodologies, and reliability growth processes.
• Strong background with test jigs, instrumentation, data acquisition, and automation technology.
• Successful track record of leading technical teams and developing processes and lab infrastructure.
• Sound judgement to know when to dive deep, simplify, or halt processes to maintain quality.
• Comprehensive expertise in root cause failure analysis and corrective action management from issue detection to verified resolution.
• Excellent collaboration skills, capable of working cross-functionally with humility and high standards.

Benefits and Culture

• Access to snacks and beverages to support daily energy.
• Partnership with Southern Cross Health Insurance for wellness support.
• Six months fully paid parental leave for primary caregivers and additional paid leave for secondary caregivers.
• An annual personal development budget of $1000 to foster growth outside of work.
• Wellbeing valued with wellness leave and unlimited paid annual leave.
• Competitive remuneration including salary, benefits, and equity through an employee stock ownership plan.

Work Environment

Halter emphasizes an office-first culture valuing in-person connection to foster growth, learning, and impact. The office provides a high-energy environment rich in collaboration and problem-solving. While primarily in-office, flexible arrangements are available under a high-trust framework.

Diversity and Inclusion

We actively promote an inclusive workplace where all employees can be themselves and excel. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including those who might not meet every single qualification but show potential for exceptional impact.