Director, Equipment Engineering

FormFactor Inc. • Farmers Branch, TX

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About The Position

FormFactor is launching a large‑scale, high‑impact startup operation in Farmers Branch—an exciting opportunity to help build, define, and lead a cutting‑edge manufacturing environment from the ground up. As part of a collaborative and people‑centered culture, you will shape both the technology and the team that powers our next phase of growth. The Director of Equipment Engineering is responsible for leading all equipment strategy, maintenance, capability development, and engineering support across a vertically integrated probe card manufacturing operation. This role oversees equipment engineering teams across semiconductor style fab tools, probe stitching and micro assembly equipment, and SMT/vertical probe card automation systems. The Director ensures worldclass equipment performance, operational uptime, and technical capability to support manufacturing efficiency, yield, and business growth.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, MEMS, SMT operations, or precision manufacturing.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing equipment engineering or maintenance teams.
• Deep expertise in equipment reliability, tool maintenance strategy, and troubleshooting complex electromechanical systems.
• Strong understanding of reliability engineering, SPC, and design‑for‑maintenance principles.
• Minimum of 12+ years of relevant experience in leadership roles, with a Bachelor’s degree; or 10 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 8 years experience; or equivalent experience
• Skills: Automation, Communication, Equipment Troubleshooting, High Reliability, Innovation, Leadership, Maintenance Strategy, Process Engineering, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Stakeholder Influence, Strategic Thinking, Team-Building, Technical Knowledge, Tool Maintenance
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Chemical, or related Engineering discipline.
• Experience in probe card manufacturing, MEMS, micro‑machining, or ultra‑precision assembly equipment.
• Familiarity with lithography tools, laser systems, high‑precision robotics, and advanced metrology.
• Background with automation, MES/EES systems, IoT, and predictive maintenance technologies.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Strategy Build and lead a high‑performing Equipment Engineering organization supporting fab, probe assembly, and SMT/vertical probe card operations.
• Define the long‑term equipment and automation roadmap, aligned with Process Engineering, Operations, R&D, and Quality
• Develop talent through skill‑building, cross‑training, certification programs, and succession planning
• Establish and track key equipment performance metrics (uptime, MTBF, MTTR, OEE, maintenance cost per tool, spare‑parts performance). Jointly own output, yield, and cost targets with Manufacturing and Process Engineering leadership.
• Semiconductor‑Style Fab Process Ownership Oversee processes such as thin‑film deposition, lithography, etch, metallization, planarization, cleaning, and metrology.
• Ensure rigorous preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to maintain high tool uptime and process stability.
• Lead equipment qualification for new tools, upgrades, chemistries, and automation enhancements.
• Develop and maintain equipment documentation, maintenance procedures, and spare‑parts strategies
• Probe Stitching & Micro‑Assembly Own all equipment supporting laser cutting, probe stitching, alignment, micro‑assembly, and mechanical integration.
• Improve equipment capabilities related to precision placement, coplanarity performance, and micro‑mechanical reliability.
• Collaborate with R&D and vendors to introduce next‑generation assembly platforms.
• SMT & Vertical Probe Card Manufacturing Oversee equipment for solder paste deposition, pick‑and‑place, reflow, AOI, underfill, and final assembly.
• Drive system reliability and throughput improvement across SMT lines and vertical probe card assembly automation.
• Develop scalable, modular equipment strategies to support new probe architectures and increasing complexity.
• Champion DFM/DFT/DFX methodologies with Process Engineering and Design teams.
• Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence Lead equipment‑related root‑cause analysis for downtime, yield excursions, and reliability issues.
• Implement structured troubleshooting frameworks (8D, 5‑Why, 4C).
• Drive adoption of predictive maintenance tools, digital dashboards, advanced analytics, and sensor‑based monitoring.
• Reduce cost of ownership through intelligent spare parts management, reliability improvements, and vendor performance programs.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration Work closely with Process Engineering to match equipment capability with process requirements and roadmaps.
• Partner with Supply Chain on equipment vendor selection, contract negotiation, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with Facilities Engineering to ensure proper utilities planning, safety systems, and environmental compliance.
• Engage Quality Engineering and customers during equipment‑related audits and technical reviews.
• Compliance, Safety & Documentation Ensure full compliance with equipment safety standards, EHS requirements, chemical handling controls, and lockout/tagout programs.
• Maintain documentation for maintenance procedures, control plans, equipment FMEAs, and engineering change management.
• Lead safety audits, equipment certifications, and continuous improvement in safety performance.

Benefits

• Benefits offered for this role include medical, dental, vision, EAP, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending and savings accounts, 401(k), ESPP and paid time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director