ShopFloorJobs
F

Sr. Director, Operations

FormFactor · Livermore, CA

Apply on FormFactor ↗
Level
Director+
Team
Production
Base pay
$214k–$281k
Degree
Required (or equivalent experience)
Experience asked
14+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
26 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A director-level production 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
14+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
Tools it names
Lean, SPC, Automation
Base pay
$214k–$281k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Production Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $125k–$177k. This one lists $214k–$281k.

Median of the low and high ends of 45 live postings that list pay, out of 121 production engineer openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 120 other live production postings in California.

Base pay
About 68% above similar roles

Typical $120k–$174k, from 36 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (14+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • New product launch 38%
  • ✓ Lean 31%
  • Root cause 27%
  • ✓ Automation 26%
  • Team leadership 22%
  • Python 21%

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

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

It asks for 14+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Promotion path mentioned

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 Production 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

14 other open roles at this site.

All 15 roles at FormFactor →
Full description from FormFactorAs posted on their careers site.Show

Education & Experience

Minimum of 14+ years of related experience, including leadership roles, with a Bachelor’s degree; or 12 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 10 years experience; or equivalent experience | 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

We are seeking a dynamic and strategic leader to step into the role of Sr. Director, Operations for our Livermore factory. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Operations, this position plays a vital role in shaping the vision, operational excellence, and ongoing advancement of our global operations. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the full operational, strategic, and cultural direction of the site. The ideal candidate will bring deep semiconductor manufacturing expertise, a passion for technical excellence, and a proven ability to lead high-performing teams in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.

Operational Leadership

  • •Oversee all fab operations including wafer fabrication, assembly & test, equipment engineering, process control, and facilities.
  • •Drive first-pass line yield to industry benchmarks through a “first time right” culture.
  • •Lead technology transfer of key process capabilities between sites to build a resilient, flexible global supply chain network.
  • •Drive cycle time performance to best-in-class benchmarks through disciplined execution and continuous improvement.
  • •Develop and maintain a dynamic capacity model to support technology ramps and volume scaling.
  • •Manage COGS elements—labor, materials, equipment—to meet aggressive financial targets.
  • •Oversee equipment lifecycle planning aligned with technology nodes and productivity goals.
  • •Implement best-in-class practices in lean manufacturing, SPC, and automation.

Strategic Execution

  • •Define and execute a long-range site strategy including capital investment, inventory optimization, and cycle time reduction.
  • •Collaborate with R&D and business units to align fab capabilities with future node transitions and customer needs.
  • •Identify and pursue new business opportunities that position the fab as a strategic growth enabler.

Leadership and Team Development

  • •Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to the global facilities team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and accountability.
  • •Mentor and develop high-performing teams, cultivating talent and building capabilities aligned with FormFactor’s growth and operational goals.
  • •Collaborate effectively with cross-functional leaders, driving company-wide initiatives and ensuring strategic alignment with business objectives.
  • •Attract, retain, and develop top talent across engineering, operations, and support functions.

Leadership Behaviors

  • •Lead with Ownership & Clarity: Make confident, insight-driven decisions and challenge conventional thinking.
  • •Motivate & Develop Exceptional Teams: Build trust, inspire excellence, and enable teams to solve complex challenges.
  • •Focus on the Customer & shape what’s next: Lead with foresight, anticipate change, and drive innovation that scales.

Skills

Automation, Business Operations, Communication, Etching, Executive Influence, Film Deposition, Leadership, Leadership Development, Mentorship, Metrology, Negotiation, Operations Management, P&L Reporting, People Management, Photolithography, Problem Solving, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Stakeholder Dialogue, Team Development, Team Management

Pay Range

$213,800.00 - $280,560.00

Pay Range Explained

This role in Livermore, California pays between $213,800.00 and $280,560.00 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 lo

More Production roles nearby