Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Employee stock purchase plan (ESPP)

Paid time off

Profit-sharing bonuses

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

FormFactor, Inc. in Livermore, California is seeking a Sr. Principal Lithography Engineer (MEMS R&D) to lead advanced photolithography strategy and execution across MEMS product development and manufacturing.

This role requires deep expertise in lithography, materials, optics, and microfabrication, and focuses on building next-generation MEMS capabilities. You will mentor teams, partner with R&D, design, operations, and executive leadership to shape technology roadmaps and IP strategy,

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 6 years with a Master's, or a PhD with 3 years experience.
• Expertise in lithography processes, photoresist materials, optics, and microfabrication.
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute long-range technology roadmaps for advanced MEMS photolithography processes.
• Lead DOE initiatives to optimize lithography across multiple substrate platforms.
• Establish process windows and manufacturing-ready solutions for MEMS technology.
• Mentor engineers and collaborate with R&D, design, operations, and leadership.
• Drive IP development, invention disclosures, and technology strategy.
• Provide expert guidance on resolving complex lithography challenges.

Skills

Electron Microscopy

Laser Lithography

Photolithography

Photolithography Equipment

Semiconductor Development

Semiconductor Engineering

Semiconductor Fabrication

Semiconductor Manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field

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:

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.

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