Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Work Schedule

Shift: The regular hours for this position are day shift.

This role combines hands‑on engineering execution with cross‑functional collaboration to deliver manufacturable, reliable, and scalable mechanical solutions for advanced technology platforms.

• Create and release detailed mechanical designs for precision components, characterization fixtures, validation structures, and mechanical assemblies.
• Build, inspect, assemble, and troubleshoot prototype hardware during development, validation, and product release phases.
• Participate in root‑cause analysis, failure investigations, inspection reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Use 3D CAD tools to create models, layouts, detailed drawings, and bills of materials for manufacturable designs.
• Perform engineering analysis, including tolerance studies, fit checks, design reviews, and basic finite element analysis when needed.
• Translate product, customer, process, and manufacturing requirements into robust mechanical design solutions.
• Support probe card mechanical design and architecture development through detailed design, prototype build, validation, and production release.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, process, and R&D teams to resolve product manufacturing issues and probe card issues in the field.
• Evaluate design feasibility, manufacturability, reliability, cost, and scalability before release.
• Maintain and improve mechanical design templates, documentation standards, drawing practices, and design workflows.
• Translate analytical results into design improvements and actionable engineering recommendations.

• Strong proficiency with 3D CAD modeling, mechanical drawings, assemblies, and engineering documentation.
• Working knowledge of GD&T, tolerance analysis, design for manufacturability, and mechanical assembly practices.
• Ability to work hands‑on in a lab, prototype build, inspection, or manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting design reviews, engineering validation, troubleshooting, and cross‑functional problem solving.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to coordinate technical work across engineering and manufacturing teams.
• Knowledge of inspection methods, metrology, mechanical testing, and prototype validation.
• Demonstrated ability to improve design processes, templates, standards, and documentation for repeatability and scalability.

• 3D CAD Modeling
• Adaptive Problem Solving
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Data Analysis
• Geometric Dimensioning And Tolerancing (GD&T)
• Mechanical Design
• Precision Metrology
• Problem Solving
• Product Development
• Solid Works
• Solid Works PDM

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.

Required Pay Range: $ - $ per year (Livermore, California). 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.

Form Factor is an equal opportunity employer. Form Factor 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.

For roles that are designated as remote‑eligible, employees cannot be located in: AL, AK, AR, DE, GA, HI, IL, IA, KY, LA, ME, MD, MS, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, WV, WI, WY. This list is continuously evolving; please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list.