Every product or service or a business process may suffer a setback due to an error, non deliberate of course. This is a very critical process to identify the exact reasons that resulted in the failure. The analysis is a complex process; every phase unfolds facts and information that together went aboard and caused the failure. Handling many or all of these phases and several other duties is the job of a failure analysis engineer. To put it in simple terms, the job responsibilities of a failure analysis engineer revolve around the doors that open up a world of improvement in the existing work flow for the betterment of the organization.
A failure analysis uses a complex array of instructions and procedures to initiate the analysis process. The exact process depends on the nature of the product or service. The engineer has to test and diagnose the product through these processes and would continue to do so unless all the causes of failure are identified.
In case where the failure has caused in the development of a new product, the engineer is expected to work with a team of engineers and analysts in the organization. On the other hand, complaints of failure received from end users of the products have to be dealt in a different manner. While working in the incidents of latter nature, the failure analysis engineer has to communicate with the users who may not have the technical knowledge about the product.
One more important responsibility of a failure analysis engineer is to prepare and share reports. This is necessary to allow other engineers and technical staff in the organization to learn about what went wrong. This also helps them to avoid repetition of similar incidents in the future. More information about the job responsibilities of a failure analysis engineer has been given below.
Logging Failure Incidents
Whether he works at a production facility or research center, the failure analysis engineer is required to log all incidents of failure. He has to record the accurate time and other details that are important for further analysis.
Investigate
The failure analysis engineer investigates about the root cause of the failure. He may do so alone or with a team of engineers. He has to perform different actions according to the testing procedures and follow each method meticulously to avoid any errors that may further lead to misinterpretation of the incidents.
Prepare Documents
This is an important responsibility of the failure analysis engineer. Along with root cause analysis, he has to record the findings of the analysis and store the files so that the other employees can refer to it in future. These documents also act as a guideline for the production department, as they can follow measures to avoid similar incidents of failure in future.
Process Improvement
The failure analysis engineer has to provide measures to improve the functioning of the product through continuous involvement in the research and development process.
As a failure analysis engineer, an individual should be:
To become a failure analysis engineer, a minimum of a bachelor's degree in product, mechanical, or a closely related field of engineering is required. Apart from educational qualifications, you also need extensive experience in product engineering to become eligible for this position.
A failure analysis can earn around $88,000 as annual compensation on an average. Apart from the basic salary, various allowances are paid to individuals working in this position, amount for which may vary with job location and organization.
Job responsibilities of a failure analysis engineer have been provided as a source of information for people who want to know all about this profession.