Development Engineer

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 Development Engineer to lead the research, development, characterization, and maturation of next-generation laser-enabled manufacturing technologies for advanced semiconductor test and probing applications.  The successful candidate will investigate fundamental laser-material interactions, develop novel laser processing techniques, and translate emerging concepts into scalable manufacturing solutions. This role sits at the intersection of laser physics, materials science, process engineering, and metrology, requiring both hands-on experimental work and data-driven analysis to solve complex technical challenges.  The ideal candidate possesses experience with ultrafast laser systems and a deep curiosity for understanding the physical mechanisms that govern material removal, feature formation, surface modification, and process variation within advanced semiconductor manufacturing environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Technology & Process Development

• Conceive, develop, and evaluate novel laser-based manufacturing processes including drilling, cutting, ablation, texturing, and surface modification.
• Investigate fundamental laser-material interactions and their impact on feature formation, debris generation, recast morphology, material properties, and downstream manufacturability.
• Design and execute structured experiments to identify process sensitivities, establish process limits, and develop predictive understanding of key process drivers.
• Develop proof-of-concept demonstrations and feasibility studies for next-generation manufacturing technologies.
• Characterize laser processing behavior across a broad range of materials
• Establish relationships between laser parameters, material responses, and resulting device or component performance.

Equipment & Technology Development

• Collaborate with equipment suppliers, research partners, and internal engineering teams to evaluate and develop advanced laser processing capabilities.
• Define equipment requirements and influence the development of next-generation laser systems, optics, motion-control platforms, and process monitoring solutions.
• Develop novel process control methodologies to improve process capability, repeatability, and robustness.
• Troubleshoot complex process and equipment challenges through systematic experimentation and root-cause analysis.

Characterization & Metrology

• Develop characterization strategies to quantify process performance and understand failure mechanisms.
• Analyze processed structures using optical microscopy, SEM, profilometry, CT imaging, interferometry, and other advanced characterization techniques.
• Correlate microstructural, dimensional, and surface-quality measurements with process inputs and performance outcomes.
• Utilize statistical methods and data analytics to drive process understanding and technology development.

Technology Transfer & Manufacturing Readiness

• Mature promising technologies from concept through pilot implementation and manufacturing introduction.
• Develop technical documentation, process specifications, and qualification strategies for newly developed technologies.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality, and reliability teams to evaluate scalability, robustness, and long-term process capability.
• Support transition of successful R&D programs into production environments while maintaining technical ownership of critical process knowledge.

Innovation & Technical Leadership

• Monitor emerging laser technologies, materials, and manufacturing trends to identify future opportunities and competitive advantages.
• Drive invention generation through intellectual property development, patent submissions, and technical publications.
• Present technical findings, recommendations, and strategic roadmaps to engineering leadership, customers, and industry forums.
• Contribute to long-term technology roadmaps for advanced semiconductor test and probing solutions.

Skills:

Education & Experience:

No previous professional experience | Required

Pay Range:

$75,400.00 - $99,015.00

Pay Range Explained:

This role in Livermore, California pays between $75,400.00 and $99,015.00 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.

For roles that are designated as remote-eligible, employees cannot be located in: AL, AK, AR, DE, GA, HI, IL, IA, 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. A role is remote-eligible only when it is listed as "Remote" in the job location.