Principal Test Engineer – PRVX4 Analyzer (Probe Card Manufacturing)

FormFactor Inc.•Farmers Branch, TX

About The Position

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. The Principal Test (A&T) PRVX4 Engineer is responsible for developing, qualifying, and sustaining electrical test processes that utilize the Onto PRVX4 analyzer platform within probe card manufacturing. This engineer ensures accurate electrical characterization, stable test cell performance, and high confidence verification of probe card assemblies prior to customer shipment. The role requires deep understanding of signal integrity, channel routing, electrical limits, and test automation, as well as strong cross functional collaboration with design, SMT, mechanical assembly, and final test teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
5-10 years of experience in semiconductor test, probe card test, PCB electrical test, or related field.
Strong understanding of electrical measurement fundamentals (R, C, L, continuity, leakage, SI/PI concepts).
Handson experience with automated test equipment (ATE), parametric analyzers, or matrix switching systems.
Proficiency in data analysis tools (Python, JMP, Minitab, Excel, SPC).
Demonstrated ability to drive root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
Analytical Thinking
Communication
Continuous Improvement
Cross-Team Collaboration
Debugging
Detail-Oriented
Taking Ownership
Working in a Fast-Paced Environment
Writing Documentation
Minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD without experience; or equivalent work

Nice To Haves

Master’s in Electrical Engineering preferred.
Experience with probe card manufacturing or semiconductor test hardware.
Understanding of fine pitch routing, lithographic structures, plated interconnects, and high density PCB behavior.
Familiarity with PRVX4 or similar analyzers (e.g., Agilent/Keysight, LTX, Pro-bilt PB6500, custom matrix systems).
Experience with MES systems and automated data collection.
Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Responsibilities

PRVX4 Test Platform Ownership Serve as the primary owner of PRVX4 test equipment, fixtures, software configurations, and system health.
Maintain and optimize test programs for continuity, leakage, resistance, capacitance, shorts/opens, and high density electrical structures.
Manage channel mapping, pin validation, and correlation between PRVX4 and downstream customer tester platforms.
Test Process Development Develop and release test sequences, limits, test configurations, and automation workflows for new probe card products.
Lead DOE studies to characterize performance across process variations (plating, litho, assembly).
Define test guard bands, measurement repeatability criteria, and data acceptance thresholds.
Yield, Quality & Data Analysis Analyze test yields, electrical failures, and trend data to identify systemic issues affecting probe card performance.
Drive root cause analysis for electrical anomalies such as shorts, leakage drift, high resistance paths, and alignment related issues.
Coordinate with process engineers (SMT, electroplating, AOI) to implement corrective actions and durable preventive controls.
Equipment Performance & Maintenance Own PRVX4 calibration, diagnostic routines, preventive maintenance, and component replacements (probes, cards, interface hardware).
Oversee golden unit management, system correlation checks, and periodic performance verification.
Work with internal equipment engineering or vendor support for tool issues, firmware updates, or advanced debug.
Manufacturing Support Provide Realtime floor support for test cell interruptions, measurement inconsistencies, or operator reported issues.
Create and maintain documentation: test setup guides, runbooks, troubleshooting instructions, and engineering specifications.
Develop technician training for proper handling, loading, and operation of PRVX4 stations.
NPI (New Product Introduction) Collaborate with Design Engineering to interpret schematics, routing diagrams, and test specifications for new probe card designs.
Participate in prototype builds and release qualification, ensuring test coverage and performance metrics meet customer requirements.
Establish correlation between PRVX4 and customer final test benches during NPI.
Continuous Improvement Lead CIP (Continuous Improvement) initiatives focused on throughput, repeatability, cycle time, and failure rate reduction.
Identify opportunities to upgrade hardware, improve fixturing, optimize signal routing, or automate repetitive tasks.
Contribute to capital planning for new analyzers, interfaces, or test technologies.