Principal Mechanical Architect

FormFactor, Inc.; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 94,000 - 123,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

Paid time off

Profit-sharing bonuses

Job summary

FormFactor, Inc. in Beaverton, Oregon seeks a Mechanical Architect to define and own the mechanical architecture for advanced wafer probing and test systems.

You will design precision motion, chucking, and wafer handling solutions, and collaborate with controls and electrical teams to deliver high-performance, repeatable systems. You will lead architecture from concept through prototype validation, qualification, release, and production ramp, balancing performance, manufacturability,

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in precision motion systems, positioning stages, servo systems, actuators, encoders, and advanced mechanical mechanisms.
• Strong experience with semiconductor equipment, preferably wafer probers, precision test systems, or related capital equipment.
• Experience designing wafer chuck systems, wafer alignment methodologies, and wafer positioning architectures.
• Strong understanding of Mechanical dynamics, Structural stiffness, Vibration control, Thermal stability, Precision positioning systems, and Tolerance analysis.
• Experience integrating mechanical, electrical, sensor, controls, and software subsystems into complex electromechanical platforms.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical projects and influence engineering decisions across multiple disciplines.
• Experience with Chuck controllers, Force and position control systems, Closed-loop feedback architectures, Linear motors and servo systems, Air bearings and precision stages, Flexure-based mechanisms, and High-performance encoder technologies.
• Knowledge of vibration isolation systems, modal analysis, and dynamic modeling techniques.
• Experience with high-precision optical alignment, metrology, probing, or test systems.
• Customer-facing experience supporting installation, qualification, production ramp, and continuous improvement activities within semiconductor fabrication environments.
• Experience utilizing SolidWorks, Creo, FEA tools, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent engineering analysis software.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical architecture activities from concept development through prototype validation, qualification, release, and production ramp.
• Evaluate design tradeoffs involving performance, manufacturability, reliability, serviceability, scalability, and cost.
• Drive root cause investigations and resolution of complex technical issues affecting product performance or customer operations.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) programs and technology roadmaps.
• Provide system-level leadership across mechanical, electrical, controls, software, optical, automation, and manufacturing disciplines.
• Drive technical decision-making through engineering analysis, experimental validation, and data-driven methodologies.
• Participate in design reviews and provide technical oversight on critical subsystem and system-level decisions.
• Collaborate with suppliers, development partners, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful implementation of designs.
• Support customer installations, system qualification activities, factory acceptance testing, and production ramp efforts.
• Investigate and resolve complex field issues involving precision positioning, wafer handling, motion control, and mechanical performance.
• Partner with customers and internal teams to identify future technology requirements and performance improvements.

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher (relatedfield)

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

FEA tools

MATLAB

Simulink

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Architecture & System Design Define and own the mechanical architecture for advanced semiconductor wafer probing and test systems. Architect precision motion and positioning solutions, including X/Y/Z/θ stages, positioners, actuators, flexures, bearings, guide systems, and encoder technologies. Lead the design of wafer handling, wafer support, alignment, and chucking systems to achieve world-class precision and repeatability. Establish system-level mechanical performance requirements, specifications, and design targets.

Wafer Chuck & Positioning Systems

Lead wafer chuck and chuck-control architecture, including wafer support, vacuum distribution, thermal management, Z-height control, planarity, and alignment mechanisms. Develop solutions that optimize probing accuracy, contact consistency, thermal performance, and wafer protection. Evaluate and improve chuck performance through modeling, testing, and experimental validation. Collaborate with controls teams to optimize force control, position control, and closed-loop performance.

Precision Motion & Mechatronics

Design and optimize high-performance motion systems utilizing servo motors, linear motors, encoders, air bearings, precision guideways, and advanced mechanical mechanisms. Partner with Controls Engineering to develop integrated motion-control and feedback systems that meet demanding dynamic performance requirements. Support selection, integration, and qualification of sensors, actuators, and control hardware. Drive system-level optimization of motion profiles, positioning accuracy, repeatability, and throughput.

Structural, Thermal & Dynamic Analysis

Analyze and resolve vibration, resonance, stiffness, thermal stability, and mechanical dynamic challenges. Perform and guide finite element analysis (FEA), modal analysis, tolerance analysis, and thermal-mechanical simulations. Develop design solutions that maximize precision while maintaining manufacturability, reliability, and cost effectiveness. Establish design methodologies and best practices for precision mechanical systems.

Product Development & Engineering Execution

Lead mechanical architecture activities from concept development through prototype validation, qualification, release, and production ramp. Evaluate design tradeoffs involving performance, manufacturability, reliability, serviceability, scalability, and cost. Drive root cause investigations and resolution of complex technical issues affecting product performance or customer operations. Support New Product Introduction (NPI) programs and technology roadmaps.

System Integration & Cross-Functional Leadership

Provide system-level leadership across mechanical, electrical, controls, software, optical, automation, and manufacturing disciplines. Drive technical decision-making through engineering analysis, experimental validation, and data-driven methodologies. Participate in design reviews and provide technical oversight on critical subsystem and system-level decisions. Collaborate with suppliers, development partners, and manufacturing teams to ensure successful implementation of designs.

Customer & Production Support

Support customer installations, system qualification activities, factory acceptance testing, and production ramp efforts. Investigate and resolve complex field issues involving precision positioning, wafer handling, motion control, and mechanical performance. Partner with customers and internal teams to identify future technology requirements and performance improvements.

Technical Leadership

Serve as a technical mentor and subject matter expert for mechanical engineering teams. Guide engineering standards, design practices, architecture reviews, and technology development initiatives. Influence long-term product architecture and engineering strategy through technical leadership and innovation. Lead complex engineering initiatives and cross-functional projects with significant business impact.

Preferred Qualifications & Experiences

Demonstrated expertise in precision motion systems, positioning stages, servo systems, actuators, encoders, and advanced mechanical mechanisms. Strong experience with semiconductor equipment, preferably wafer probers, precision test systems, or related capital equipment. Experience designing wafer chuck systems, wafer alignment methodologies, and wafer positioning architectures. Strong understanding of Mechanical dynamics, Structural stiffness, Vibration control, Thermal stability, Precision positioning systems, and Tolerance analysis. Experience integrating mechanical, electrical, sensor, controls, and software subsystems into complex electromechanical platforms. Proven ability to lead complex technical projects and influence engineering decisions across multiple disciplines. Experience with Chuck controllers, Force and position control systems, Closed-loop feedback architectures, Linear motors and servo systems, Air bearings and precision stages, Flexure-based mechanisms, and High-performance encoder technologies. Knowledge of vibration isolation systems, modal analysis, and dynamic modeling techniques. Experience with high-precision optical alignment, metrology, probing, or test systems. Customer-facing experience supporting installation, qualification, production ramp, and continuous improvement activities within semiconductor fabrication environments. Experience utilizing SolidWorks, Creo, FEA tools, MATLAB, Simulink, or equivalent engineering analysis software.

Skills

Mechanical Design, Probe Stations, Servo Controls, Vibration Analysis, Vibration Control, Vibration Monitoring, Vibration Testing, Wafer Probing

Wafer Probing Education & Experience

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

Required Pay Range

$94,100.00 - $123,480.00 Pay Range Explained: This role in Beaverton, Oregon pays between $94,100.00 and $123,480.00 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.

Our Mission

We enable our customers to revolutionize semiconductors with advanced packaging bringing tomorrow's electronics to life.

Our Values

Our values were collaboratively created to reflect the essence of who we are as a company and as a team of people. The values are created for us, by us. Our people designed the FORM acronym and imagery as a constant reminder to live these values daily. Together, we embrace these guiding principles, fostering a positive and united environment for all. Focus on the Customer Ownership & Accountability Respectfully & Effectively Communicate Motivate & Develop People Learn more by visiting HERE.