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 Lithography Engineer (MEMS R&D) is recognized as a technical authority responsible for driving innovation, strategy, and execution of advanced photolithography technologies across MEMS product development and manufacturing. This role requires deep expertise in semiconductor lithography processes, photoresist materials, optics, and microfabrication techniques, combined with the ability to solve highly complex technical challenges that have significant impact on business objectives and future technology roadmaps.
As a senior technical leader, you will define lithography development strategies, lead breakthrough process innovations, mentor engineering teams, and collaborate across R&D, Product Development, Design Engineering, Operations, and Executive Leadership to enable next-generation MEMS technologies. The successful candidate will serve as a key contributor to FormFactor’s long-term technology differentiation and intellectual property development.
Key Responsibilities:
Technical Leadership & Innovation
Develop and execute long-range technology roadmaps for advanced MEMS photolithography processes and capabilities.
Lead the research, development, characterization, and implementation of next-generation lithographic technologies for advanced probe card applications.
Serve as the organization's subject matter expert in photolithography and related microfabrication technologies.
Identify emerging industry trends and evaluate advanced lithography techniques, including: Two-Photon Polymerization (2PP), Direct Laser Writing (DLW), Nanoimprint Lithography (NIL), and Advanced maskless lithography solutions
Drive innovation through invention disclosures, patent generation, technical publications, and technology strategy development.
Process Development & Optimization
Lead complex Design of Experiments (DOE) initiatives to develop and optimize advanced lithography processes across multiple substrate platforms.
Develop scalable processes for high-resolution MEMS features, critical dimension control, and overlay optimization.
Establish process windows and manufacturing-ready solutions for next-generation vertical probe technologies.
Perform advanced statistical analysis and process characterization to improve yield, repeatability, and process capability.
Define process control methodologies, metrology requirements, and qualification standards.
Failure Analysis & Problem Solving
Lead root cause investigations for highly complex lithography, patterning, and integration challenges.
Analyze MEMS structures using optical microscopy, SEM, FIB cross-sections, and other advanced characterization techniques.
Apply first-principles engineering and data-driven methodologies to solve novel technical challenges.
Provide expert guidance on resolving critical manufacturing and development issues.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with R&D, product design, process integration, manufacturing, equipment engineering, and quality teams to enable successful technology development.
Evaluate design feasibility and ensure lithography requirements are incorporated during product development.
Influence technical decisions across multiple projects and product generations.
Present technical findings and recommendations to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
Mentorship & Organizational Impact
Mentor and develop engineers, scientists, and technicians across the organization.
Establish technical standards, best practices, and engineering methodologies.
Provide leadership in developing organizational lithography expertise and succession planning.
Lead technical reviews and serve as a key decision-maker for critical engineering initiatives.
Skills:
Electron Microscopy, Laser Lithography, Photolithography, Photolithography Equipment, Semiconductor Development, Semiconductor Engineering, Semiconductor Fabrication, Semiconductor ManufacturingEducation & 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 | RequiredPay Range:
$136,200.00 - $178,815.00Pay 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, KY, 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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 8+ years related experience; or Master's with 6+ years; or PhD with 3+ years, or equivalent experience
- Deep expertise in photolithography processes, photoresist materials, optics, and microfabrication techniques
- Experience in MEMS process development, high-resolution feature patterning, critical dimension control, and overlay optimization
- Proficiency with failure analysis and characterization tools: SEM, FIB, optical microscopy
- Experience leading Design of Experiments (DOE), advanced statistical analysis, process characterization, and defining process control/metrology requirements
- Knowledge or experience evaluating advanced lithography techniques: Two-Photon Polymerization (2PP), Direct Laser Writing (DLW), Nanoimprint Lithography (NIL), and maskless lithography solutions
- Demonstrated technical leadership, mentorship experience, ability to influence cross-functional teams, and contribute to invention disclosures/patents
FormFactor, Inc. Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about FormFactor, Inc. and has not been reviewed or approved by FormFactor, Inc..
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple plan options (e.g., several Cigna choices and regional Kaiser HMO) with good pricing noted for some low‑deductible choices. This area stands out as a relative strength of the package.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — An employee stock purchase plan with at least a 15% discount via payroll deductions is broadly available alongside standard bonus programs. This accessibility provides a straightforward path to ownership even when base pay sentiment is mixed.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off, holidays, and formal leaves (jury duty, bereavement, military) are included, with “generous PTO” highlighted in some descriptions. This breadth of time‑away options aligns with expectations for a mid‑sized tech manufacturer.
FormFactor, Inc. Insights
What We Do
FormFactor, Inc. is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies for the semiconductor industry, offering products like probe cards, analytical probes, and cryogenic systems to support the full integrated circuit (IC) life cycle.
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