A reliability engineer ensures or improves quality control in manufacturing processes or in engineered product performance. For someone in this line of work, efficiency and dependability are paramount, and attention to small details is frequently required. Engineers in this field frequently strive to strike a balance between low production costs and consistent product performance. These engineers frequently work as part of a team. If reliability issues arise, a reliability engineer may engage in activities that could have far-reaching consequences.
A reliability engineer’s primary responsibility is to ensure continuous quality control in the manufacturing of goods. The manufacturing process is typically reviewed by the engineer at regular intervals to correct inefficiencies that have developed over time. Workers’ tendencies to allow slippage in quality control processes over time may cause manufacturing processes to degrade.
A reliability engineer frequently makes recommendations to improve manufacturing reliability during the design process. He or she will most likely apply engineering science to the manufacturing process, noting which aspects of the process are causing a higher rate of defects. The reliability engineer will examine design schematics and work flow processes, sometimes at an extremely detailed level, in the same way that a detective searches for clues to solve a mystery. The engineer will do so with the goal of identifying and correcting any glitches that may be present. He or she may also be able to synchronize various manufacturing requirements.
Engineering reliability is a profession in which various aspects of failure and performance are tested under controlled conditions. As a result, the reliability engineer is expected to be familiar with stress analysis. He or she will most likely be aware of other possible causes of mechanical failure, both common and uncommon. Because balancing production costs with performance generally necessitates a basic understanding of accounting knowledge, someone working in this field may also be familiar with financial data.
Because defects or inefficiencies in a manufacturer’s operations can have serious consequences, a reliability engineer usually focuses on preventing problems. Defective product recalls can be extremely damaging to a company’s reputation. When a product is reengineered, such as a new engine design in an automobile, those who work in this capacity bear a significant amount of responsibility for ensuring the new design’s reliability and performance.
Before an item is manufactured, some reliability engineers may work extensively with computer-aided design programs to study mechanical properties. Those who work in this field frequently collaborate with other employees in cross-functional teams. Company personnel in the marketing department, those who assist customers in product support, as well as company accountants and other engineers, may be members of the team.