Sr. Principal Product Engineer

FormFactor Inc.•Livermore, CA

6d•$136,200 - $178,815•Onsite

About The Position

FormFactor is seeking a highly experienced Sr. Principal Product Engineer to lead the development and continuous advancement of next-generation MEMS probe technologies used in semiconductor wafer test applications. As a senior technical leader and subject matter expert, you will play a critical role in driving product innovation, evaluating emerging technologies, and improving the performance, reliability, and manufacturability of existing products. This position serves as a key link between customers, Product Management, Marketing, Manufacturing, R&D, and suppliers to translate market requirements into robust technical solutions. You will lead strategic initiatives involving ceramic guide plate technology, evaluate new materials and processes, establish product characterization and reliability methodologies, and support customer qualification activities. As a recognized technical authority, you will influence product roadmaps and technology strategies while independently driving complex engineering programs that address emerging customer and industry needs.

Requirements

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
Experience with semiconductor wafer test, probe cards, MEMS structures, or advanced packaging technologies.
Experience working with advanced ceramic materials and precision mechanical assemblies.
Proficiency with Python, MATLAB, JMP, or similar data analysis tools.
Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) and thermo-mechanical modeling using Ansys or SolidWorks Simulation.
Familiarity with semiconductor reliability testing, qualification methodologies, and product lifecycle management processes.
Knowledge of competitive technologies and emerging trends within semiconductor test and interconnect solutions.
3D Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Analytical Thinking
Autodesk AutoCAD
Communication
Design of Experiments (DOE)
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis FMEA
Materials Engineering
Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS)
Precision Manufacturing
Problem Solving
Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
Semiconductor Manufacturing
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Responsibilities

Lead the development of next-generation ceramic guide plate materials and technologies for MEMS-based vertical probe card products.
Collaborate closely with Product Management and Marketing teams to define new product requirements and technology roadmaps aligned with customer and market needs.
Evaluate the technical feasibility of emerging customer requirements and identify innovative solutions to extend product capabilities.
Serve as the technical lead for critical product components and technology platforms throughout the product lifecycle.
Lead the evaluation, characterization, and qualification of new ceramic guide plate materials and associated manufacturing processes.
Partner with MEMS fabrication, process engineering, and manufacturing teams to design, build, and qualify prototype products.
Develop and execute comprehensive reliability and characterization plans to assess mechanical, thermal, electrical, and lifetime performance.
Establish testing methodologies, acceptance criteria, and engineering standards for new product introductions.
Support pre-sales activities through technical consultation, product recommendations, and solution development for customer applications.
Serve as a primary technical resource during customer qualification and validation efforts.
Analyze customer requirements and application challenges, translating technical needs into product enhancements and development priorities.
Provide expert-level support for customer escalations and complex product performance issues.
Drive continuous product improvement initiatives focused on reliability, quality, manufacturability, yield, and overall product performance.
Lead root cause investigations and corrective action efforts for product-related issues using data-driven methodologies.
Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, and Field Service organizations to identify and implement sustainable product improvements.
Monitor field and production performance data to identify trends and opportunities for optimization.
Collaborate closely with material suppliers to develop specifications, validate new materials, and improve product performance.
Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams including Product Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Sales.
Influence strategic sourcing decisions by assessing technical capabilities, risks, and opportunities associated with new technologies and suppliers.
Serve as a recognized subject matter expert in MEMS probe technologies and advanced material applications.
Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance across multiple engineering disciplines.
Lead complex engineering projects, balancing schedule, budget, technical risk, and business objectives.
Contribute to long-term technology planning and product strategy through competitive analysis and industry trend assessment.