Sr. Principal Product Engineer

Forming Our Future together

FormFactor, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORM), is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product life cycle — from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design de-bug, to qualification and production test. Semiconductor companies rely upon FormFactor’s products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance and advancing yield knowledge. The company serves customers through its network of facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America.

Rooted in our core values — Focus on the Customer, Ownership & Accountability, Respectfully & Effectively Communicate, and Motivate & Develop People — we foster an environment where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated. Everyone can make an impact here. Whether it's improving products, supporting customers, or positively influencing peers and the community, the contributions of our people matter.

Shift:

The regular hours for this position are day shift.

Job Description:

FormFactor is seeking a highly experienced Sr. Principal Product Engineer to lead the development and continuous advancement of next-generation MEMS probe technologies used in semiconductor wafer test applications. As a senior technical leader and subject matter expert, you will play a critical role in driving product innovation, evaluating emerging technologies, and improving the performance, reliability, and manufacturability of existing products.

This position serves as a key link between customers, Product Management, Marketing, Manufacturing, R&D, and suppliers to translate market requirements into robust technical solutions. You will lead strategic initiatives involving ceramic guide plate technology, evaluate new materials and processes, establish product characterization and reliability methodologies, and support customer qualification activities.

As a recognized technical authority, you will influence product roadmaps and technology strategies while independently driving complex engineering programs that address emerging customer and industry needs.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Development & Technology Innovation

• Lead the development of next-generation ceramic guide plate materials and technologies for MEMS-based vertical probe card products.

• Collaborate closely with Product Management and Marketing teams to define new product requirements and technology roadmaps aligned with customer and market needs.

• Evaluate the technical feasibility of emerging customer requirements and identify innovative solutions to extend product capabilities.

• Serve as the technical lead for critical product components and technology platforms throughout the product lifecycle.

Engineering Design & Validation

• Lead the evaluation, characterization, and qualification of new ceramic guide plate materials and associated manufacturing processes.

• Partner with MEMS fabrication, process engineering, and manufacturing teams to design, build, and qualify prototype products.

• Develop and execute comprehensive reliability and characterization plans to assess mechanical, thermal, electrical, and lifetime performance.

• Establish testing methodologies, acceptance criteria, and engineering standards for new product introductions.

Customer & Application Support

• Support pre-sales activities through technical consultation, product recommendations, and solution development for customer applications.

• Serve as a primary technical resource during customer qualification and validation efforts.

• Analyze customer requirements and application challenges, translating technical needs into product enhancements and development priorities.

• Provide expert-level support for customer escalations and complex product performance issues.

Product Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Drive continuous product improvement initiatives focused on reliability, quality, manufacturability, yield, and overall product performance.

• Lead root cause investigations and corrective action efforts for product-related issues using data-driven methodologies.

• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Field Service organizations to identify and implement sustainable product improvements.

• Monitor field and production performance data to identify trends and opportunities for optimization.

Supplier & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with material suppliers to develop specifications, validate new materials, and improve product performance.

• Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams including Product Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Sales.

• Influence strategic sourcing decisions by assessing technical capabilities, risks, and opportunities associated with new technologies and suppliers.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as a recognized subject matter expert in MEMS probe technologies and advanced material applications.

• Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance across multiple engineering disciplines.

• Lead complex engineering projects, balancing schedule, budget, technical risk, and business objectives.

• Contribute to long-term technology planning and product strategy through competitive analysis and industry trend assessment.

Preferred Qualifications & Experiences:

• Experience with semiconductor wafer test, probe cards, MEMS structures, or advanced packaging technologies.

• Experience working with advanced ceramic materials and precision mechanical assemblies.

• Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, JMP, or similar data analysis tools.

• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) and thermo-mechanical modeling using Ansys or SolidWorks Simulation.

• Familiarity with semiconductor reliability testing, qualification methodologies, and product lifecycle management processes.

• Knowledge of competitive technologies and emerging trends within semiconductor test and interconnect solutions.

Skills:

3D Computer Aided Design (CAD), Analytical Thinking, Autodesk AutoCAD, Communication, Design of Experiments (DOE), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis FMEA, Materials Engineering, Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), Precision Manufacturing, Problem Solving, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Semiconductor Manufacturing, Statistical Analysis, Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Education & Experience:

Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent experience | Required

Pay Range:

$136,200.00 - $178,815.00

Pay Range Explained:

This role in Livermore, California pays between $136,200.00 and $178,815.00 per year, depending on your experience, skills, and background. Pay may vary in other locations. We offer a full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, a 401(k) with company match, employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), and paid time off. You’ll also be eligible for quarterly profit-sharing bonuses and flexible spending or savings accounts.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

FormFactor is an equal opportunity employer. FormFactor complies with all national, state, and local laws that seek to promote equal opportunities for any applicant or employee without regard to age, race, color, gender, gender identity/expression, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, disability, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, military service, or any other legally protected characteristics. These protections apply to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotions, and compensation.

For roles that are designated as remote-eligible, employees cannot be located in: AL, AK, AR, DE, GA, HI, IL, IA, LA, ME, MD, MS, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, WV, WI, WY. This list is continuously evolving and being updated, please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list. A role is remote-eligible only when it is listed as "Remote" in the job location.