Sr. Principal Plating Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) matching

Employee stock purchase plan

Paid time off

Quarterly profit-sharing bonuses

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

FormFactor, Inc. is a leading provider of test and measurement technologies for semiconductors. The Sr. Principal Plating Engineer leads advanced electroplating technologies for MEMS probe fabrication, shaping roadmaps and introducing innovative materials to enhance performance and reliability.

The role requires deep expertise in electroplating, electrochemistry, and metallurgical processes, with execution across DOE, process integration, and manufacturing support to drive competitive advantages.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; 6 years with a Master’s; or a PhD with 3 years of experience.
• Equivalent experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute long-range technology roadmaps for advanced electroplating processes, materials, and metallurgical innovations supporting future MEMS probe technologies.
• Lead research, evaluation, and implementation of novel materials and deposition technologies to improve electrical, thermal, mechanical, and reliability performance.
• Lead root-cause investigations involving plating defects, process excursions, reliability concerns, and manufacturing challenges.

Skills

Electrochemistry

Electroless plating

Electron microscopy

Electroplating

Materials engineering

Semiconductor development

Semiconductor fabrication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Job description

Sr. Principal Plating Engineer (MEMS R&D)

FormFactor, Inc. is a leading provider of test and measurement technologies for semiconductors. The Sr. Principal Plating Engineer leads advanced electroplating technologies for MEMS probe fabrication.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute long‑range technology roadmaps for advanced electroplating processes, materials, and metallurgical innovations supporting future MEMS probe technologies.
• Serve as the organization’s subject matter expert in electroplating, electroless deposition, electrochemistry, and metallurgical process development.
• Lead research, evaluation, and implementation of novel materials and deposition technologies to improve electrical, thermal, mechanical, and reliability performance.
• Assess emerging industry technologies and identify opportunities to create sustainable competitive advantages through advanced materials and plating processes.
• Generate intellectual property through invention disclosures, patent development, and technical innovation initiatives.
• Design and execute complex Design of Experiments (DOE) to develop and optimize advanced metallurgical solutions for MEMS probe fabrication.
• Develop, characterize, document, and scale electrodeposition processes for next‑generation vertical probe technologies.
• Establish process windows, operating specifications, and control methodologies to ensure robust and repeatable manufacturing performance.
• Lead process integration efforts across MEMS fabrication workflows.
• Maintain expertise in plating bath chemistry, deposit morphology, stress management, grain structure control, and material performance optimization.
• Perform advanced materials characterization using SEM, EDS/EDAX, FIB, microscopy, and other analytical techniques.
• Analyze deposited metal structures to evaluate composition, microstructure, purity, and performance characteristics.
• Lead root‑cause investigations involving plating defects, process excursions, reliability concerns, and manufacturing challenges.
• Apply first‑principles engineering and statistical methodologies to solve complex electrochemical and material‑related issues.
• Develop advanced process monitoring, control, and qualification methodologies.
• Establish analytical techniques for plating bath characterization and chemical management.
• Drive improvements in yield, process capability, throughput, and manufacturing robustness.
• Define best practices for electrochemical process control, safety, and materials handling.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety standards associated with chemical processing operations.
• Partner with R&D, Product Development, Process Integration, Manufacturing, Equipment Engineering, and Quality teams to support technology development and commercialization.
• Review new product designs and provide guidance regarding manufacturability, materials selection, and plating process capabilities.
• Influence technical decisions and provide expert recommendations for strategic development initiatives.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to senior leadership and executive stakeholders.
• Mentor engineers, scientists, and technicians in electrochemistry, plating technologies, and process development methodologies.
• Establish technical standards, documentation practices, and engineering best practices across the organization.
• Build organizational capabilities through coaching, training, and technical leadership.
• Lead technical reviews and serve as a trusted advisor on critical technology and manufacturing decisions.

Required Skills

• Electrochemistry
• Electroless plating
• Electron microscopy
• Electroplating
• Materials engineering
• Semiconductor development
• Semiconductor fabrication

Required 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 of experience;
• Or equivalent experience.

Compensation

Pay Range: $136,200.00 – $178,815.00 per year (Livermore, California).

Benefits

Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, a 401(k) with company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), paid time off, 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.