Femtosecond Laser Manufacturing Engineer
FormFactor · Livermore, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Base pay
- $136k–$179k
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 8+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 28 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level manufacturing 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
- 8+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, SPC, FMEA, Control plans, DOE, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
- Base pay
- $136k–$179k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 277 other live manufacturing postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 20% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (8+ vs 5+)
Typical $109k–$153k, from 100 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Tooling 59%
- ✓ New product launch 54%
- ✓ Root cause 45%
- ✓ Automation 35%
- CATIA / NX 34%
- ✓ Machining 33%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for SPC, Control plans, DOE, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
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 Manufacturing team at FormFactor
We found 3 people at this company and state: 2 on the team, 1 leaders, plus 1 likely hiring manager. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to Ken → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 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.
This plant: FormFactor in Livermore
12 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found on the manufacturing team.
- Sr Process & Automation Engineer · Controls · Senior
- Manufacturing Technician 3 · Manufacturing · Technician
- Manufacturing Technician 1 · Manufacturing · Technician
- Manufacturing Technician 2 · Manufacturing · Technician
- QA Technician 2 · Quality · Technician
- Engineering Technician · Manufacturing
Full description from FormFactorAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Develop, optimize, and sustain femtosecond laser manufacturing processes for advanced semiconductor products.
- ◆Develop high-precision laser processes for ceramic and other advanced materials requiring micron and sub-micron feature accuracy.
- ◆Create, optimize, and automate femtosecond laser recipes to improve process capability, repeatability, and manufacturing efficiency.
- ◆Evaluate and optimize laser parameters including pulse energy, pulse duration, repetition rate, focal position, scanning strategy, and beam alignment.
- ◆Develop manufacturing processes for Tight Pitch products and next-generation semiconductor technologies.
- ◆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 and metrology data to identify process improvements and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- ◆Create and maintain engineering documentation, including work instructions, process specifications, FMEAs, control plans, manufacturing procedures, and process validation reports.
- ◆Support engineering change implementation (ECO/ECCB) and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities.
- ◆Train manufacturing technicians and operators on femtosecond laser equipment, manufacturing processes, and best practices.
- ◆Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Product Engineering, Wafer Engineering, and Equipment Engineering to resolve technical issues and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
- ◆Provide hands-on support during equipment installation, qualification, production ramp, process validation, and troubleshooting.
- ◆Lead continuous improvement projects focused on yield improvement, cycle time reduction, automation, and manufacturing cost reduction.
and Experiences
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- ✓Experience in semiconductor manufacturing.
- ✓Hands-on experience with femtosecond laser processing.
- ✓Experience developing precision laser micromachining processes for ceramic or advanced materials.
- ✓Strong understanding of laser-material interaction, precision machining, and laser process optimization.
- ✓Experience developing and optimizing laser recipes for high-precision manufacturing.
- ✓Knowledge of Statistical Process Control (SPC), Design of Experiments (DOE), process capability analysis, and root cause analysis.
- ✓Experience creating engineering documentation, work instructions, FMEAs, process specifications, and manufacturing procedures.
- ✓Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
- ✓Excellent communication skills with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
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
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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 Femtosecond Laser Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining advanced femtosecond laser manufacturing processes for next-generation semiconductor products. This role will lead the development of ultra-high precision micromachining applications for ceramic and advanced materials, supporting Tight Pitch technologies and complex micro-features that require sub-micron accuracy and exceptional edge quality.
The engineer will work closely with Product Engineering, Wafer Engineering, Manufacturing, and Equipment Engineering to develop new laser applications, optimize manufacturing processes, implement automation, and support New Product Introductions (NPI). This position is critical to expanding VPS's femtosecond laser capabilities and enabling future technology roadmaps.
Skills
Engineering Design Process, Laser Drilling, Laser Engraving, Laser Marking, Laser Processing, Manufacturing Engineering, Manufacturing Equipment, Manufacturing Processes, Problem Resolution, Process Engineering, SPC Charts, SPC Implementation, Statistical Process Control (SPC), Technical Troubleshooting, Troubleshooting, Work Instructions, Writing Work Instructions
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.
FormFactor is an equa