Automation Inspection Manufacturing Engineer

FormFactor · Livermore, CA

Level: Engineer
Team: Controls
Base pay: $111k–$145k
Degree: Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked: 5+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: 29 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at FormFactor (industrial) in Livermore, CA. (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.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names: SPC, FMEA, Control plans, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), Automation
Base pay: $111k–$145k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Promotion path mentioned

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How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at FormFactor
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2
Send a short, curious note
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3
Turn a reply into a short call
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- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
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5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

About the role

Key Responsibilities

◆Develop and implement automated inspection solutions for probe feature inspection.
◆Design, optimize, and sustain automated probe storage and handling processes.
◆Support the elimination of manual back-end inspection processes through automation.
◆Provide engineering support for automated probe insertion equipment, including process development, equipment qualification, troubleshooting, and production support.
◆Develop, optimize, and sustain semiconductor manufacturing processes to improve yield, quality, productivity, and manufacturing efficiency.
◆Support process qualification, validation, and implementation for new and existing products.
◆Establish and maintain robust process controls using Statistical Process Control (SPC), process capability analysis, and data-driven decision making.
◆Analyze manufacturing data to identify process improvement opportunities and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
◆Create and maintain engineering documentation, including work instructions, process specifications, FMEAs, control plans, and manufacturing procedures.
◆Support engineering change implementation (ECO/ECCB) and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
◆Train manufacturing technicians and operators on new equipment, automation systems, manufacturing processes, and best practices.
◆Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Product Engineering, and Wafer Engineering to resolve technical issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
◆Provide hands-on support during equipment qualification, production ramp, process validation, and troubleshooting activities.
◆Lead continuous improvement projects focused on automation, process capability, quality, throughput, and cost reduction.

Education & Experience

Minimum of 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 3 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD without experience; or equivalent work | Required

Show full 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 Automation Inspection Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining automated inspection solutions for probe feature inspection while driving manufacturing automation initiatives that improve quality, productivity, and cycle time. This position will lead the development of automated probe inspection and storage processes, eliminate manual back-end inspection activities, and provide engineering support for automated probe insertion equipment. The engineer will work closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Product Engineering, and Wafer Engineering to implement innovative automation technologies and support New Product Introductions (NPI).

Skills

Automation Engineering, Automation Systems, Defect Metrology, Dimensional Metrology, Engineering Process, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Process Engineering, Measurement Analysis, Optical Metrology, Precision Metrology, Problem Resolution, Semiconductor Engineering, Technical Troubleshooting, Troubleshooting, Work Instructions, Writing Work Instructions

Pay Range

$110,700.00 - $145,320.00

Pay Range Explained

This role in Livermore, California pays between $110,700.00 and $145,320.00 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.

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.