Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Forming Our Future together

Form Factor, 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 Form Factor’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.

Form Factor is seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to design, develop, integrate, and qualify precision mechanical systems for advanced semiconductor wafer probing and test equipment. As a senior individual contributor, you will lead complex mechanical design initiatives with significant technical autonomy, developing innovative solutions that enable highly accurate, reliable, and repeatable wafer test and measurement systems. This role is responsible for the design and optimization of precision positioning systems, wafer handling mechanisms, probe interfaces, and motion‑controlled assemblies that support leading‑edge semiconductor technologies.

The Principal Mechanical Design Engineer will collaborate closely with electrical, controls, systems, manufacturing, and product development teams to deliver robust mechanical solutions that meet demanding performance, reliability, and manufacturability requirements. Drawing on P3-level expectations for independent technical leadership and complex engineering problem solving this position serves as a key contributor to next‑generation product development and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Mechanical System Design & Development – Lead the design and development of complex mechanical components, assemblies, and subsystems for semiconductor wafer probing and test equipment.
• Design precision mechanical systems including positioning stages, motion platforms, alignment mechanisms, positioners, and structural assemblies.
• Develop innovative mechanical solutions that balance performance, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and serviceability.
• Drive mechanical designs from concept through prototype, validation, production release, and lifecycle support.
• Precision Motion & Wafer Handling Systems – Design and support wafer chuck, wafer handling, wafer alignment, and probe positioning systems. Integrate precision motion components including motors, actuators, encoders, sensors, bearings, and linear guide systems.
• Optimize system performance to achieve stringent requirements for accuracy, repeatability, stability, and throughput.
• Evaluate and improve precision mechanisms supporting advanced semiconductor testing applications.
• Analysis & Engineering Validation – Perform detailed engineering analysis including tolerance stack‑ups, structural analysis, finite element analysis (FEA), thermal modeling, and vibration analysis. Conduct design trade‑off studies to optimize mechanical performance and reliability. Develop test plans, validation methodologies, and acceptance criteria for mechanical systems and subsystems. Evaluate prototype performance and implement design improvements based on data‑driven analysis.
• System Integration & Cross‑Functional Collaboration – Partner closely with controls, electrical, systems, software, and manufacturing engineers to integrate motion control, automation, and hardware solutions. Support system‑level integration, debugging, and qualification activities. Participate in architecture reviews, design reviews, risk assessments, and technical feasibility evaluations. Collaborate with…