Senior Applications Engineer – Cryogenic Test & Measurement

HPD; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 116,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

Paid time off

Quarterly profit-sharing bonuses

Job summary

FormFactor, Inc. in Boulder, CO seeks a Senior Applications Engineer specializing in Cryogenic Test & Measurement to support customers using advanced cryogenic wafer probing systems for semiconductor and quantum applications.

You will bridge customers with engineering, install and optimize measurement solutions, and provide training and demonstrations. The role requires strong RF and low-noise measurement skills, hands-on lab experience, and the ability to travel for customer engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Physics, Applied Physics or related field.
• 5+ years in semiconductor test, RF measurement, cryogenic systems, or related instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor device physics and electrical characterization techniques.
• Experience with RF and microwave measurements through at least 18 GHz.
• Experience performing sensitive low-noise and low-current measurements.
• Hands-on experience with automated test systems and data acquisition.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills; excellent written and verbal communication.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with customers to understand measurement objectives and technical requirements.
• Develop and deploy customized measurement solutions using cryogenic wafer probing platforms.
• Provide on-site and remote support during installation, startup, testing, and training.
• Troubleshoot customer test systems and measurement challenges.
• Serve as the primary technical interface between customers and internal engineering teams.
• Configure, operate, and maintain cryogenic wafer probing systems and instrumentation.
• Develop and execute measurement plans for semiconductor and superconducting devices.
• Analyze measurement results and provide recommendations to customers and engineering teams.

Skills

Cryogenic Systems

Customer Technical Support

Device Characterization

Electrical Characterization

Electrical Measurements

RF Instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Physics, Applied Physics

Tools

Vector Network Analyzers

Spectrum Analyzers

Signal Generators

Source Measure Units

Lock-in Amplifiers

Low-Noise Amplifiers

Cryogenic instrumentation & temperature controllers

Job description

Forming Our Future together

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.

Shift: The regular hours for this position are day shift.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior Applications Engineer- Cryogenic Test & Measurement to support customers using advanced cryogenic wafer probing systems for semiconductor, quantum computing, superconducting electronics, and other low-temperature device applications. The successful candidate will serve as the technical bridge between customers and engineering teams, helping customers install, configure, and optimize custom measurement solutions while operating state-of-the-art cryogenic wafer probers. This role requires a strong background in RF and low-noise electrical measurements, semiconductor device characterization, and customer-facing technical support. The ideal candidate combines hands-on laboratory expertise with excellent communication skills and a passion for helping customers achieve successful technical outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Application Support

• Work directly with customers to understand measurement objectives and technical requirements.
• Develop and deploy customized measurement solutions using cryogenic wafer probing platforms.
• Provide on-site and remote support during system installation, startup, acceptance testing, and training.
• Troubleshoot customer test systems and measurement challenges.
• Serve as the primary technical interface between customers and internal engineering teams.

Test & Measurement Engineering

• Configure, operate, and maintain cryogenic wafer probing systems and associated instrumentation.
• Develop and execute measurement plans for semiconductor and superconducting devices.
• Perform RF, microwave, DC, low-current, and low-noise electrical characterization.
• Integrate test equipment including Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs), Spectrum Analyzers, Signal Generators, Source Measure Units (SMUs), Lock-in Amplifiers, Low-Noise Amplifiers, and Cryogenic instrumentation and temperature controllers.
• Analyze measurement results and provide recommendations to customers and engineering teams.

Product Improvement & Development

• Collaborate with product development teams on new applications, features, and customer requirements.
• Generate application notes, technical reports, training materials, and best-practice guides.
• Evaluate emerging measurement techniques and industry trends.
• Provide feedback from customer engagements to influence future product development.

Demonstrations & Training

• Conduct customer demonstrations and proof-of-concept testing.
• Support sales with technical experience.
• Travel to customer sites to perform application support.
• Provide training on tool usage, measurement methodologies, instrumentation, and software workflows.
• Represent the company at conferences, technical workshops, and customer technology reviews.

Preferred Qualifications & Experiences

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, or related technical field.
• 5+ years of experience in semiconductor test, RF measurement, cryogenic systems, or related instrumentation.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor device physics and electrical characterization techniques.
• Experience with RF and microwave measurements through at least 18GHz.
• Experience performing sensitive low-noise and low-current measurements.
• Hands-on experience with automated test systems and data acquisition.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience operating cryogenic systems below 4K.
• Experience with superconducting devices, quantum computing hardware, or cryogenic CMOS technologies.
• Familiarity with wafer probing systems and probe card technologies.
• Knowledge of S-parameter measurements, Noise characterization, Time-domain measurements, Device reliability testing, and Cryogenic RF techniques.
• Experience developing automated measurement software using Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, or similar tools.
• Customer-facing experience in applications engineering, field engineering, or technical consulting.

Travel Requirements

• Approximately 25% travel, including domestic and international customer installations, training, and support engagements.

Skills

• Cryogenic Systems
• Customer Technical Support
• Device Characterization
• Electrical Characterization
• Electrical Measurements
• RF Instrumentation

Education & Experience

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.

Pay Range

Required Pay Range: $115,800.00 - $151,935.00

This role in Boulder, Colorado pays between $115,800.00 and $151,935.00 per year, depending on your experience, skills, and background. Pay may vary in other locations.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life insurance
• Disability coverage
• A 401(k) with company match
• Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)
• Paid time off
• Quarterly profit-sharing bonuses
• 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.

Remote-eligible Restrictions

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.

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.