Lab Reliability / Failure Analysis Engineering Manager

About the Role

Celestica is seeking a visionary Lab Reliability / Failure Analysis Engineering Manager to lead our state-of-the-art Quality, Reliability, and Microelectronics Assembly Lab that services both external and internal based customers. In this high-impact role, you will guide a highly skilled team of engineers and technicians while owning the technical strategy for failure analysis and material testing.

You will serve as the technical bridge between complex engineering problems and business solutions, utilizing advanced analytical tools to investigate quality issues related to soldering, PCB assemblies, and microelectronic components. This is an opportunity to not only manage a lab but to drive continuous improvement and business growth for both internal and external customers.

Learn more about our facility:

• Celestica Newmarket Expertise
• Newmarket Microelectronics Lab Services

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership & Lab Management

• Provide mentorship and operational leadership to the Quality & Reliability lab staff and the Microelectronics Assembly Technology team (die attach/wire bonding/optics assembly).
• Oversee the financial health of the lab thru a Lab P&L by managing program budgets, prioritizing internal/external projects, and driving revenue growth through strategic marketing initiatives to win new customers.
• Manage the full lifecycle of lab operations, including the approval of reports, quotes, expenses, and strategic capital equipment acquisition.
• Act as the primary interface with internal Celestica departments and external clients regarding lab priorities, escalations, and service delivery.  Responsible for understanding customer technical testing requirements and managing potential new qualification projects

2. Advanced Failure Analysis & Technical Execution

• Lead & Facilitate complex Root Cause Analysis (RCCA) for electronic products and components, utilizing advanced debugging processes and tools (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone, Fault Tree Analysis) to definitively identify failure modes.
• Design and execute rigorous experimental procedures, including qualitative and quantitative testing of complex samples, to ensure product reliability and manufacturability.
• Oversee the creation of comprehensive technical reports that identify samples, explain testing methods, document findings, and provide data-driven conclusions.
• Solve critical technical problems affecting the manufacturing and operation of electronic products, ensuring rapid resolution of quality issues.

3. Innovation, Development & Process Improvement

• Champion the development of novel test methods and pioneer new sample preparation techniques to investigate emerging electronic quality and reliability theories.
• Provide expert technical feedback to product designers and manufacturing teams regarding the suitability of designs and processes for mass manufacturability.
• Continuously evaluate and validate new analytical test methods and equipment to keep the lab at the cutting edge of industry standards.

Typical Experience

Profile Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or an Advanced Chemistry Degree.
• 7 to 10 years of progressive experience in similar engineering or laboratory leadership roles.
• Proven track record of leading and developing teams of engineers and technicians.

Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of physics of failure for electronics, electrochemistry, and corrosion of electronic assemblies.
• Hands-on mastery of Failure Analysis equipment, including: Optical Microscopy, FTIR, Ion Chromatography, SIR, DSC, TMA, TGA, SEM, X-ray, and cross-sectioning tools.
• Expertise in material quality testing (polymers, soldering fluxes, adhesives, epoxies).
• Proficiency in developing unique test plans based on limited data and troubleshooting complex chemical/physical failure processes.

Leadership & Core Competencies

• Strong Leader and Mentor: Drive and enable the team to continue to evolve the capabilities and efficiency of the lab equipment, workflow and skillsets
• High Emotional Intelligence: A collaborative problem solver who can navigate difficult situations with positivity and engage stakeholders across multiple departments.
• Strategic Communicator: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the confidence to present root cause and corrective actions to executive customers and suppliers.
• Continuous Learner: An engrained passion for staying ahead of new electronics technologies and reliability theories.
• Operational Agility: Ability to act competently in emergencies, manage flexible schedules, and handle multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in MS Office and Google Suite applications.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Lab Environment: Work involves frequent exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, operating machinery, temperature extremes, and hazardous substances.
• Fine Motor Skills: Must possess excellent hand-eye coordination and visual acuity to manipulate very small samples (e.g., tweezers under a microscope).  
• Physical Stamina: Duties require extended periods of sitting/standing, sustained visual concentration on detailed data/monitors, and repetitive manual movements.
• Availability: Overtime and occasional travel will be required.

Candidate Profile

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or an Advanced Chemistry Degree.
• 7 to 10 years of progressive experience in similar engineering or laboratory leadership roles.
• Proven track record of leading and developing teams of engineers and technicians.

Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of physics of failure for electronics, electrochemistry, and corrosion of electronic assemblies.
• Hands-on mastery of Failure Analysis equipment, including: Optical Microscopy, FTIR, Ion Chromatography, SIR, DSC, TMA, TGA, SEM, X-ray, and cross-sectioning tools.
• Expertise in material quality testing (polymers, soldering fluxes, adhesives, epoxies).
• Proficiency in developing unique test plans based on limited data and troubleshooting complex chemical/physical failure processes.

Leadership & Core Competencies

• Strong Leader and Mentor: Drive and enable the team to continue to evolve the capabilities and efficiency of the lab equipment, workflow and skillsets
• High Emotional Intelligence: A collaborative problem solver who can navigate difficult situations with positivity and engage stakeholders across multiple departments.
• Strategic Communicator: Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the confidence to present root cause and corrective actions to executive customers and suppliers.
• Continuous Learner: An engrained passion for staying ahead of new electronics technologies and reliability theories.
• Operational Agility: Ability to act competently in emergencies, manage flexible schedules, and handle multiple high-priority projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in MS Office and Google Suite applications.

Regulatory & Compliance Notes

• This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.

• As this position involves work that is subject to the Canadian Government's Controlled Goods Program (CGP), your employment offer is conditional upon the successful completion of a security assessment by Celestica and/or its authorized agents, per the Controlled Goods Regulations.  In addition, since this position involves US origin military work under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), there are certain citizenship criteria, which must be met as directed by the US Department of State.  If you are unsure if you would be eligible for employment, please make any concerns clear to Celestica when you receive an offer for an interview.