It shouldn't be career ending unless there's been malfeasance or some kind of sloppy work. The people who go down hard usually have some crime beyond audacity.

It could easily cause some painful embarrassment, but hopefully that would pass with time.

Maybe embarrassment similar to that faced by researchers who's results suggested FTL communication, but it turned out to be a bad fiber-optic cable. I didn't follow up but I assume that team is doing OK.