Senior Principal Reliability Engineer
BAE Systems · Merrimack, NH
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Reliability
- Base pay
- $133k–$226k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 2 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior reliability role at BAE Systems (aerospace & defense) in Merrimack, NH.
- They ask for
- 8+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, SPC, FMEA, CAPA, Minitab, Automation
- Base pay
- $133k–$226k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Reliability Engineer roles in New Hampshire: typical posted base $118k–$201k. This one lists $133k–$226k.
Median of the low and high ends of 3 live postings that list pay, out of 6 reliability engineer openings in New Hampshire, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
New Hampshire plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 685 other live reliability postings in the US.
- Base pay
- About 49% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (8+ vs 5+)
Typical $102k–$140k, from 246 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 53%
- Team leadership 29%
- ✓ FMEA 22%
- ✓ Automation 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for SPC, CAPA, Minitab, Python, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at BAE Systems
We found 12 people at this company and state: 9 in this kind of role, 3 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Dorothy → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: BAE Systems in Merrimack
No other open roles at this site right now · 12 people we found in reliability roles at BAE Systems.
Full description from BAE SystemsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Lead Failure Analysis & FRACAS (Failure Reporting, Analysis, and Corrective Action System): Serve as a technical leader for all failure analysis activities.
- ◆Independently conduct and lead complex failure investigations on hardware, software, and system-level failures, identifying root causes and recommending comprehensive corrective actions.
- ◆Mentor and guide other engineers in effective failure analysis techniques.
- ◆Collaborate extensively with cross-functional teams (Quality, HW/SW Design, Manufacturing, Test) to drive resolution of failure investigations.
- ◆Directly interface with Suppliers/Vendors to review and validate their failure analysis findings and drive accountability for resolution.
- ◆Utilize advanced failure analysis techniques (e.g., SEM/EDS, X-ray, acoustic microscopy, advanced electrical characterization) to characterize failure mechanisms.
- ◆Author authoritative and customer-facing failure reports, including detailed root cause analysis, corrective action recommendations, and risk assessments.
- ◆Manage and optimize the FRACAS database, ensuring data accuracy, accessibility, and effective trend analysis for proactive reliability improvement.
- ◆Analyze data from manufacturing process monitoring, Environmental Stress Screening (ESS), and system testing to identify potential reliability concerns.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, Systems, or related field) and a minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in a Reliability Engineering role. Master’s Degree preferred.
- ✓Demonstrated expertise in root cause analysis, failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), and reliability prediction methods.
- ✓Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a solid understanding of statistical analysis and data modeling.
- ✓Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical information effectively to diverse audiences.
- ✓Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- ✓Ability to work independently and lead cross-functional teams.
- ✓Ability to obtain/maintain a security clearance.
Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
- ✓Extensive experience with advanced failure analysis tools and techniques (e.g., SEM/EDS, X-ray, acoustic microscopy, thermal imaging).
- ✓In-depth knowledge of relevant reliability testing standards (e.g., MIL-STD-883, MIL-STD-750, MIL-HDBK-217, MIL-STD-1629A, JEDEC standards).
- ✓Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., Minitab, JMP, R).
- ✓Proven experience with FRACAS databases and reporting systems (e.g., SAP, Teamcenter, Windchill).
- ✓Strong understanding of electronic circuits, components, and materials science.
- ✓Experience with scripting languages (e.g., Python, MATLAB) for data analysis and automation.
- ✓Experience with reliability growth modeling and statistical process control (SPC).
- ✓Experience with DO-254 or similar safety-critical system development standards.
Pay Information
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Description BAE Systems is a leading global defense, security, and aerospace company. We deliver a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions, and cyber security. We are experiencing significant growth, driven by innovation and a commitment to supporting our customers. Join us and be a part of something bigger!
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Reliability Engineer to join our dynamic C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) Systems team.
Advanced Reliability Data Analysis & Modeling
- •Lead the collection, analysis, and interpretation of complex reliability data to identify critical trends and predict future failures.
- •Develop and apply advanced statistical modeling techniques (e.g., Weibull analysis, Accelerated Life Testing (ALT), Fault Tree Analysis (FTA), Reliability Block Diagrams) to assess system reliability and identify areas for improvement.
- •Develop and maintain detailed reliability prediction models, incorporating design margins and field performance data.
- •Conduct and document reliability growth analyses.
Proactive Reliability & Maintainability Engineering and Process Improvement:
- •Proactively identify opportunities to improve product designs, manufacturing processes, and testing methodologies to enhance reliability, maintainability, testability and reduce costs.
- •Lead the development and implementation of robust corrective and preventative actions (CAPA) based on failure analysis and reliability data.
- •Drive the implementation of Design for Reliability (DFR) principles throughout the product lifecycle.
- •Contribute to the development and maintenance of comprehensive quality control procedures and reliability assurance plans. Technical Leadership & Documentation:
- •Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) on reliability engineering principles and best practices.
- •Create and deliver technical presentations and reports summarizing reliability findings, trends, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders, including program management and customers.
- •Develop and maintain detailed documentation of failure analysis results, reliability models, and test procedures.