Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer

FormFactor, Inc.; Livermore (KY); On-site; USD 136,200 - 178,815; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Life insurance

Disability coverage

401(k) with company match

ESPP

Paid time off

Profit-sharing bonuses

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

FormFactor, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer (MEMS R&D) to lead innovation and strategy in advanced photolithography for MEMS.

You will guide technology roadmaps, oversee development across R&D, product development, design engineering, and operations, and mentor teams. Expect ownership of critical lithography initiatives and collaboration with executive leadership. The role drives high‑impact projects, defines process control methodologies, and shapes manufacturing-ready

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute long‑range technology roadmaps for advanced MEMS photolithography processes and capabilities.
• Lead the research, development, characterization, and implementation of next‑generation lithographic technologies for advanced probe card applications.
• Serve as the organization’s subject‑matter expert in photolithography and related microfabrication technologies.
• Drive innovation through invention disclosures, patent generation, technical publications, and technology strategy development.
• Lead complex DOE initiatives to develop and optimize advanced lithography processes across multiple substrate platforms.
• Establish process windows and manufacturing‑ready solutions for next‑generation vertical probe technologies.
• Lead root‑cause investigations for highly complex lithography, patterning, and integration challenges.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to enable successful technology development and influence design feasibility.

Skills

Electron Microscopy

Laser Lithography

Photolithography

Photolithography Equipment

Semiconductor Development

Semiconductor Engineering

Semiconductor Fabrication

Semiconductor Manufacturing

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 8+ years

Master’s degree + 6 years

PhD + 3 years

Job description

Company Overview

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.

Shift

Regular hours for this position are day shift.

Job Description

The Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer (MEMS R&D) is a technical authority responsible for driving innovation, strategy, and execution of advanced photolithography technologies across MEMS product development and manufacturing. This senior technical leader defines lithography development strategies, leads breakthrough process innovations, mentors engineering teams, and collaborates across R&D, Product Development, Design Engineering, Operations, and Executive Leadership to enable next‑generation MEMS technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership & Innovation
  • Develop and execute long‑range technology roadmaps for advanced MEMS photolithography processes and capabilities.
  • Lead the research, development, characterization, and implementation of next‑generation lithographic technologies for advanced probe card applications.
  • Serve as the organization’s subject‑matter expert in photolithography and related microfabrication technologies.
  • Identify emerging industry trends and evaluate advanced lithography techniques, including Two‑Photon Polymerization (2PP), Direct Laser Writing (DLW), Nanoimprint Lithography (NIL), and advanced maskless lithography solutions.
  • Drive innovation through invention disclosures, patent generation, technical publications, and technology strategy development.
• Process Development & Optimization
  • Lead complex Design of Experiments (DOE) initiatives to develop and optimize advanced lithography processes across multiple substrate platforms.
  • Develop scalable processes for high‑resolution MEMS features, critical dimension control, and overlay optimization.
  • Establish process windows and manufacturing‑ready solutions for next‑generation vertical probe technologies.
  • Perform advanced statistical analysis and process characterization to improve yield, repeatability, and process capability.
  • Define process control methodologies, metrology requirements, and qualification standards.
• Failure Analysis & Problem Solving
  • Lead root‑cause investigations for highly complex lithography, patterning, and integration challenges.
  • Analyze MEMS structures using optical microscopy, SEM, FIB cross‑sections, and other advanced characterization techniques.
  • Apply first‑principles engineering and data‑driven methodologies to solve novel technical challenges.
  • Provide expert guidance on resolving critical manufacturing and development issues.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with R&D, product design, process integration, manufacturing, equipment engineering, and quality teams to enable successful technology development.
  • Evaluate design feasibility and ensure lithography requirements are incorporated during product development.
  • Influence technical decisions across multiple projects and product generations.
  • Present technical findings and recommendations to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Mentorship & Organizational Impact
  • Mentor and develop engineers, scientists, and technicians across the organization.
  • Establish technical standards, best practices, and engineering methodologies.
  • Provide leadership in developing organizational lithography expertise and succession planning.
  • Lead technical reviews and serve as a key decision‑maker for critical engineering initiatives.

Skills

• Electron Microscopy
• Laser Lithography
• Photolithography
• Photolithography Equipment
• Semiconductor Development
• Semiconductor Engineering
• Semiconductor Fabrication
• Semiconductor Manufacturing

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.

Required Pay Range

$136,200.00 – $178,815.00 per year.

Benefits

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.