Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

Paid time off

Job summary

FormFactor, Inc. is seeking a Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer (MEMS R&D) in Livermore. You will define lithography strategies, lead breakthrough process innovations, and mentor teams across R&D, Product Development, Design Engineering, and Operations.

You will drive advanced lithography programs, evaluate emerging techniques, and contribute to IP development and technology roadmaps for MEMS devices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 8+ years of experience, or Master’s with 6+ years, or PhD with 3+ years.
• Strong expertise in photolithography for MEMS and advanced microfabrication.
• Proven leadership in lithography process development and DOE-driven optimization.

Responsibilities

• Define lithography development roadmaps for MEMS photolithography.
• Lead DOE initiatives to optimize high-resolution MEMS features and overlay.
• Mentor engineers and collaborate with R&D, Design, Operations, and Leadership.
• Lead root-cause investigations for complex lithography and integration issues.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior management.

Skills

Photolithography

Electron Microscopy

Laser Lithography

MEMS Development

Semiconductor Manufacturing

DOE (Design of Experiments)

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Master’s or PhD preferred

Tools

Photolithography Equipment

SEM / FIB instruments

DLW / NIL tooling

Job description

## Sr. Principal Lithography EngineerApplylocations: Livermore, CAtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Yesterdayjob requisition id: JR100816**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:**The **Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer (MEMS R&D)** is recognized as a technical authority responsible for driving innovation, strategy, and execution of advanced photolithography technologies across MEMS product development and manufacturing. This role requires deep expertise in semiconductor lithography processes, photoresist materials, optics, and microfabrication techniques, combined with the ability to solve highly complex technical challenges that have significant impact on business objectives and future technology roadmaps.As a senior technical leader, you will define lithography development strategies, lead breakthrough process innovations, mentor engineering teams, and collaborate across R&D, Product Development, Design Engineering, Operations, and Executive Leadership to enable next-generation MEMS technologies. The successful candidate will serve as a key contributor to FormFactor’s long-term technology differentiation and intellectual property development.**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**Pay Range Explained:**This role in Livermore, California pays between $136,200.00 and $178,815.00 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.