Electronics Engineer - Failure Analysis
Halter · Auckland, New Zealand · 2mo ago
About Halter
At Halter, we’re on a mission to enable farmers and graziers to run the most productive and sustainable operations. Our customers are using Halter to break free from the time-intensive constraints of conventional practices. Imagine watching 500 cattle stand up and walk calmly towards their next break? No quad bikes, no dogs, no fences. Just a group of cattle walking at their own pace. People say it looks like magic. Our customers are revolutionizing grazing with Halter. It's changing lives and transforming an industry. People join Halter to do meaningful work. By joining us you’ll be solving challenging problems within a talented team and a culture built for high performance. Our team out-think, out-work and out-care. We’re committed to delivering real change in the world - this isn’t easy, and in truth, we love that it’s hard.
We’re backed to deliver on a mission that matters by Tier 1 investors including Founders Fund, Bessemer Venture Partners, BOND, DCVC, Blackbird, Promus Ventures, Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck and Icehouse ventures.
To find out more, visit our LinkedIn & Instagram.
About the role
We're changing the way the world farms — and with that comes a responsibility to the producers worldwide who trust us with their animals. We're looking for an experienced Electronics Engineer to join our Failure Analysis team and debug failed electronics down to root cause, from both the field and lab testing.
Halter collars aren't serviced, aren't repairable, and need to last 6–10 years, anywhere across the globe. Our products are complex, highly integrated electromechanical devices packed with ultra-low power circuitry, RF, solar and battery systems, high-voltage pulse circuits, and dense multi-layer PCBs. To make them last, we need to understand every electronic failure mode in the field and know exactly how to eliminate it.
What you’ll do
Personally own the highest-impact and most ambiguous electronic failure modes, driving them to a clear, evidence-based root cause. This is a hands-on role; you'll be very close to the electronics.
Debug and diagnose failed electronics at the sub-system and component level: power generation and conversion, ultra-low power circuits, RF and antenna, battery systems, high-voltage pulse circuits, and the MCUs, SoCs, sensors and interfaces around them.
Use the full bench of EE diagnostic tools (oscilloscopes, DMM, network analyzers, signal generators, LCR meters, current clamps, HV meters, thermal imaging, microscopy and X-ray where relevant) to isolate faults.
Understand the relationships between in-field events and electronic failures, connecting field data and returns to physical failure signatures on the hardware.
Develop and improve the processes, tooling and ways of working that increase diagnostic accuracy and reduce no-fault-founds.
Work closely with hardware, firmware, production and supplier quality teams to investigate failures and drive corrective action into the design.
Mentor and guide more junior engineers, expanding their technical knowledge and their approach to failure analysis.
Support recruitment for building out a brilliant team, rooted in strong process discipline, technical capability and a tenacious curiosity to figure things out.
This is a deeply technical, hands-on role at the board and component level. You'll diagnose failed collar and tower electronics, isolate faults to the specific component, net, or design decision responsible, and translate that understanding into clear, evidence-based feedback that improves product reliability. You'll be central to closing the loop between field and lab performance and our hardware, firmware, and production teams.
This is a huge opportunity for the right person - you'll have a lasting impact on farmers across the globe.
What you’ll bring
Solid electronics engineering experience, with hands-on expertise diagnosing field failures and connecting real-world events to product failure modes for complex, highly integrated hardware at the board and component level.
A methodical, first-principled approach to root cause analysis, backed by clear evidence rather than assumption.
Strong grounding in electronic circuit fundamentals across analog, digital, power and RF; ideally including ultra-low power IoT designs, batteries, solar, DC-DC conversion, high-voltage generation and insulation, and interfaces such as I2C and SPI.
Proficiency with EE diagnostic and test equipment, and comfortable reading schematics and PCB layouts to trace faults.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to translate technical findings into clear, actionable feedback for cross-functional teams.
A natural inclination to share knowledge, educate and mentor.
A strong sense of ownership and a bias for action — you're not afraid to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into wider challenges when required.
Low ego, highly collaborative, and willing to play for the Front of the Jersey.
A BE degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a similar relevant qualification.
Join our team
Halter is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace — a place where we can each be ourselves and do the best work of our lives. Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and under-represented groups of candidates tend to only apply when they meet every requirement. If you think you have what it takes but don’t necessarily tick every requirement on this job description, please still get in touch and apply to Halter. We’d love to chat to see if you’ll be an epic fit!
If this opportunity sounds like you, please apply below by sending through your cover letter explaining why you’re excited about this role and working at Halter, along with your CV, and we’ll be in touch!
Please also feel free to check out the careers page for more information on working at Halter and don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn & Instagram.
Why our team loves working at Halter:
Work that genuinely matters. Every now and again a company comes along that transforms an entire industry and leaves the world in a better place. Our team gets to be part of something truly meaningful, helping farmers improve their livelihoods, spend more time with their families, and build more sustainable operations.
Spectacular people solving hard problems. Our culture is designed for talented people to do work that changes lives. The team is filled with diverse, kind, and driven people who push each other to do their best work. You'll be thrown into the deep end, tackling complex challenges and building something tangible that solves real problems.
You'll grow here. Autonomy, mastery, and learning define how we work. You'll have the freedom to work on interesting problems, master new skills, and continuously develop yourself, both through your role and our $1,000 personal growth fund.
This isn't easy, and we love that it's hard. Working at Halter will be the most rewarding and the most challenging work of your life. We move fast, take bold bets, and work hard to reshape an entire industry. As one team member put it: "Joining Halter is a bit like strapping yourself to a rocket ship, but it's an epic journey to be a part of!"