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Sr Staff Reliability Engineer

FormFactor · Livermore, CA

Apply on FormFactor ↗
Level
Senior
Team
Reliability
Base pay
$163k–$214k
Experience asked
12+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
21 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A senior reliability 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
12+ years
Tools it names
Root cause, SPC, CAPA, DOE
Base pay
$163k–$214k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

How this role compares

Against 89 other live reliability postings in California.

Base pay
About 41% above similar roles

Typical $111k–$158k, from 50 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (12+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Root cause 79%
  • FMEA 50%
  • ✓ New product launch 49%
  • Automation 39%
  • ✓ DOE 29%
  • ✓ SPC 24%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for CAPA, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 12+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at FormFactor

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 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.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 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. 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.

All 13 roles at FormFactor →
Full description from FormFactorAs posted on their careers site.Show

requirements

are achieved prior to release.

  • ✓Develop reliability models and data-driven approaches to assess product lifetime, degradation mechanisms, and long-term field performance.

& Experiences

  • ✓Strong technical expertise in semiconductor or MEMS reliability engineering, failure analysis, product qualification, and process quality.
  • ✓Demonstrated ability to independently lead technical investigations, qualification activities, and multiple concurrent projects.
  • ✓Hands-on experience with advanced material characterization and failure-analysis instrumentation, including SEM, FIB, physical sectioning, and mechanical test systems.
  • ✓Strong proficiency in statistical analysis and reliability tools, including SPC, DOE, and JMP.
  • ✓Experience providing technical leadership, mentoring, and driving cross-functional problem resolution.
  • ✓Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interface effectively with technical teams, manufacturing organizations, and management.
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 Sr. Staff Reliability Engineer provides recognized technical leadership in reliability engineering, failure analysis, product qualification, and process quality assurance. Operating as a subject matter expert, this role leads complex technical investigations, develops reliability strategies for advanced semiconductor and MEMS technologies, and influences product and process decisions across multiple engineering disciplines.

This individual independently drives high-impact initiatives that improve product robustness, accelerate new product introductions, enhance failure analysis capabilities, and support long-term reliability and quality objectives. The role serves as a key technical resource for resolving critical customer, manufacturing, and product reliability challenges while mentoring engineers and advancing organizational technical expertise.

Reliability Engineering & Product Qualification

  • •Lead the development and execution of reliability qualification strategies for new products, design changes, material modifications, process improvements, and manufacturing transfers.
  • •Define reliability requirements, risk assessments, qualification methodologies, stress conditions, sampling plans, and acceptance criteria based on product and system-level risks.
  • •Drive qualification activities to ensure product performance, reliability, and customer

Failure Analysis & Root Cause Investigation

  • •Lead complex failure analysis investigations involving product, process, manufacturing, and customer-returned materials.
  • •Utilize advanced analytical techniques including SEM/EDS, FIB, FTIR, X-ray analysis, cross-sectioning, nano-indentation, materials characterization, and electrical/mechanical testing to determine failure mechanisms.
  • •Establish clear root-cause conclusions and drive corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
  • •Serve as the technical escalation point for critical reliability, qualification, and customer quality issues.

Process Quality & Continuous Improvement

  • •Partner with Design Engineering, Product Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to identify reliability risks and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
  • •Apply statistical methodologies, including SPC, DOE, JMP, and reliability modeling techniques, to evaluate product and process performance, identify trends, and improve manufacturing robustness.
  • •Drive data-driven decision making through quantitative analysis, risk assessments, and reliability reporting.
  • •Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on yield enhancement, defect reduction, and product reliability optimization.

Technical Leadership & Strategic Influence

  • •Provide technical leadership across multiple programs and product lines, influencing engineering decisions through deep expertise and sound technical judgment.
  • •Lead cross-functional teams in resolving complex technical challenges and developing long-term reliability strategies.
  • •Establish best practices, technical standards, and methodologies for reliability engineering and failure analysis activities.
  • •Maintain and advance laboratory capabilities, test methodologies, and analytical tools to support evolving technology requirements.
  • •Mentor and develop engineers and technicians through technical coaching, knowledge sharing, and guidance on reliability engineering principles and experimental design.

Communication & Reporting

  • •Prepare and present technical findings, reliability assessments, qualification reports, and risk evaluations to engineering leadership and senior management.
  • •Communicate complex technical concepts and recommendations effectively to cross-functional stakeholders.
  • •Influence business and technical decisions through data, analysis, and demonstrated subject matter expertise.

Skills

Cross Section, Cross Sectional Analysis, Failure Analysis, Foc

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