About this Principal Mechanical Engineer - Product Development role at FormFactor
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 Principal Mechanical Engineer, Product Development to support complex automated cryogenic systems for semiconductor test and measurement applications. The candidate will independently and collaboratively design, analyze, prototype, validate, document, mechanical and electro-mechanical subsystems, with emphasis on engineering judgment, manufacturability, reliability, cost, performance, and customer requirements.
The role requires advanced SolidWorks proficiency, strong mechanical design fundamentals, experience with thermodynamics, heat transfer, tolerance analysis, modeling, scientific instrumentation, engineering documentation, prototype evaluation, verification testing, and root cause analysis. The ideal candidate brings at least five years of related engineering experience in complex mechanical or electro-mechanical product development, with cryogenic or semiconductor equipment experience preferred, and demonstrates strong communication, collaboration, prioritization, and data-driven decision-making skills.
Key Responsibilities:
Independently and in coordination with a larger team, designs, develops, and documents complex mechanical and electro-mechanical parts, assemblies, and subsystems using advanced proficiency in SolidWorks.
Exercises sound engineering judgement to evaluate trade-offs between performance, cost, manufacturability, reliability, and customer requirements when developing mechanical and electro-mechanical design solutions.
Performs technical and root cause analysis, modeling, tolerance assessment, design verification, prototype evaluation, and troubleshooting to enhance manufacturability, cost, quality, and customer experience.
Participates in customer-facing technical discussions to understand requirements, explain design approaches, evaluate feasibility, and support analysis, ideation, and product improvement activities.
Creates and maintains complete and accurate engineering documentation (e.g., drawings, bills of materials, specifications, test plans, analysis summaries, engineering change documentation) in accordance with company processes to support design quality, manufacturability, and lifecycle traceability.
Occasional travel may be required for customer visits, conferences, or meetings.
Technical Skills:
Mechanical design, thermodynamics, heat transfer, tolerance analysis.
Materials properties and manufacturing processes.
Modeling, analysis, and scientific instrumentation.
Professional Skills:
Strong communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences.
Attention to detail and a collaborative approach to problem solving is a must.
Strong knowledge of physics, mathematical modeling, materials properties, manufacturing processes, thermodynamics, heat transfer, tolerance analysis, and use of scientific instruments for development, validation, and troubleshooting.
Demonstrated ability to solve technical problems, make data-driven design decisions, manage competing priorities, and communicate technical recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Experience supporting design reviews, engineering change processes, prototype builds, verification testing, and transition of designs into manufacturing is preferred.
Skills:
Collaboration, Communication, Cryogenic Engineering, Detail-Oriented, Engineering Change Order (ECO), Heat Transfers, Manufacturing Processes, Materials Properties, Mechanical Design, Scientific Instruments, Semiconductor Industry, System Modeling, Technical Problem-Solving, Thermodynamics, Tolerance Analysis, Validation TestingEducation & 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 | RequiredPay Range:
$94,100.00 - $123,480.00Pay Range Explained:
This role in Boulder, Colorado pays between $94,100.00 and $123,480.00 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.
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