Sr. Principal Manufacturing 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:

The Sr. Principal Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for defining, optimizing, and sustaining process integration flows across multiple manufacturing modules in a high-volume semiconductor environment. This role leads cross-module problem solving, supports product and process development, and drives improvements in yield, manufacturability, and reliability. 

 

The position operates with limited supervision, influencing integration strategy while partnering across process, equipment, and manufacturing teams to ensure integrated process performance meets product requirements. 

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

Process Integration & Flow Development 

• Develop and refine integrated process flows across multiple modules 

• Ensure process interactions meet product performance and reliability targets 

• Support alignment between unit process capabilities and integration requirements 

 

Yield & Performance Improvement 

• Lead investigations into yield loss, defect mechanisms, and process interactions 

• Drive structured problem solving using data analysis and DOE methodologies 

• Implement corrective actions to improve yield and process capability 

 

New Product Introduction (NPI) 

• Support integration activities for NPI, pilot builds, and ramp to production 

• Contribute to process qualification and manufacturability assessments 

• Help translate R&D processes into scalable manufacturing flows 

 

Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Partner with process, equipment, yield, product, and operations teams 

• Act as a technical interface to resolve cross-module issues 

• Support design for manufacturability (DfM) and process alignment 

 

Data Analysis & Problem Solving 

• Analyze electrical test, inline metrology, and defect data 

• Execute DOEs to improve process integration and resolve interactions 

• Apply structured problem-solving methods (DMAIC, 8D) 

 

Documentation & Change Management 

• Maintain integration documentation, process flows, and specifications 

• Support change control processes and qualification activities 

• Ensure traceability and consistency of process changes 

Skills:

8D Methodology, 8D Methodology, 8D Report, Change Management, Communication, Cross-Functional Teamwork, Cross-Functional Work, Defect Identification, Defect Metrology, Defect Reduction, Defects Analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), Electrical Characterization, Electrical Measurements, Electroplating, Etching, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), MES Integration, Metrology, Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS), Optical Metrology, Photolithography, Problem Analysis, Problem Solving, Process Integration {+ 13 more}

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.