Director, Process Development Engineering

FormFactor Inc.•Beaverton, OR

About The Position

The Director of Fab Process Engineering leads engineering and process development for critical fabrication modules, including Lithography, Plating, Etch, Metal Deposition, Integration, and Yield. This role combines deep technical expertise with strategic enterprise leadership to drive operational excellence, influence global manufacturing standards, and align process innovation with corporate objectives. The position partners across business units to implement governance frameworks, enable technology scaling, and deliver continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen competitive advantage and support long-term growth—while leading with high emotional intelligence to foster collaboration and trust across diverse teams.

Requirements

Clean Room Environment
Communication
Continuous Improvement
Cost Efficiency
Cycle Time Reduction
Data Analytics
Dry Etching
EHS Compliance
Electroplating
Emotional Intelligence
Engineering Change Control
Laser Lithography
Leading by Influence
Materials Science
Process Efficiency Improvements
Silicon Wafer Processing
Sputter Deposition
Statistical Data Analysis
Statistical Design of Experiments (DOE)
Statistical Process Control (SPC)
Strategic Planning
Structured Problem Solving
Team Collaboration
Team Leadership
Wet Etching
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

Responsibilities

Safety Improvement: Champion a culture of safety within the fab by ensuring compliance with all EHS standards and proactively mitigating process-related risks through hazard analysis and corrective actions.
Leadership & Team Development: Mentor and manage a team of process engineers; set priorities, allocate resources effectively, and develop future leaders—leading with high emotional intelligence to build engagement and resilience.
Module Ownership: Manage engineering activities for Lithography, Plating, Etch, Metal Deposition, ISS, Integration, and Yield modules, ensuring technical excellence and alignment with technology roadmaps.
Equipment Engineering: Collaborate with module owners, equipment maintenance, and industrial engineering to define equipment roadmaps and influence purchasing decisions that support capacity and process improvement plans.
Yield, Cycle Time and Efficiency Optimization: Implement strategies to improve yield, cycle time and process efficiency using SPC, DOE, and root cause analysis, driving measurable improvements in operational performance.
Process Development: Lead development and qualification of new processes aligned with technology roadmaps and product launches; partner with R&D to transition processes from development to high-volume manufacturing.
Data-Driven Improvements: Utilize analytics and process control tools to monitor performance, identify trends, and implement corrective actions. Communicate performance metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Enterprise Collaboration: Engage with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure process strategies align with enterprise objectives, influence global standards, and contribute to long-term manufacturing strategy.