Equipment Engineer III

About the role

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. The Equipment Engineer III will execute defined tasks with moderate autonomy across semiconductor wafer fabrication, advanced assembly, and electronics test manufacturing environments, ensuring tooling reliability, uptime, and alignment with process requirements while driving continuous improvement and cost containment.

This role develops, optimizes, and sustains manufacturing equipment to improve reliability, quality, throughput, yield, and cost efficiency. The Equipment Engineer III serves as a technical leader, partnering with cross-functional teams while mentoring junior engineers and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

The regular hours for this position are day shift.

Responsibilities

• Lead installation, startup, commissioning, and qualification of advanced manufacturing equipment. Own the full lifecycle of assigned tools and establish long-term equipment strategies.
• Develop qualification plans, acceptance criteria, and documentation to support production readiness.
• Diagnose and resolve complex equipment issues to minimize downtime and maximize operational performance. Perform root cause analysis using engineering methodologies and data-driven decision making.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions to improve equipment stability and reliability.
• Develop and execute preventive and predictive maintenance programs. Utilize advanced analytics, equipment monitoring systems, and predictive maintenance models to improve uptime and extend tool life.
• Drive reliability-centered maintenance strategies across the manufacturing operation.
• Monitor and analyze key performance metrics including uptime, throughput, MTBF, utilization, and maintenance effectiveness. Use Fault Detection and Classification (FDC), SPC, and related analytical tools to identify performance degradation and optimization opportunities.
• Lead initiatives that improve equipment efficiency and manufacturing capacity.
• Manage critical spare parts strategies and inventory planning. Lead vendor relationships, including equipment support, upgrades, technology roadmaps, and service activities. Support contract discussions and supplier performance management.
• Collaborate closely with Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Facilities, Quality, EHS, Automation, and Supply Chain teams. Ensure equipment capability aligns with process requirements and production goals. Lead integration efforts between process and equipment engineering functions.
• Lead cross-functional projects focused on cost reduction, equipment reliability, cycle time reduction, quality improvement, and capacity expansion. Apply Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies to drive sustainable results.
• Recommend and implement innovative solutions to improve manufacturing performance.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians. Serve as a subject matter expert on assigned equipment platforms. Lead technical reviews, investigations, and strategic equipment initiatives.

Requirements

• 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 experience.
• Target industry experience in semiconductor manufacturing, advanced assembly, and electronics test environments, including wafer fabrication, packaging, module assembly, automated test, reliability test, or final test operations.
• Experience with equipment used in semiconductor process modules, assembly automation, inspection/metrology, handlers, probers, testers, burn-in, or related high-reliability electronics manufacturing operations.
• Knowledge of FDC, SPC, statistical analysis, and manufacturing data systems.
• Experience leading equipment installations, factory expansions, or technology transfers.
• Project leadership experience and demonstrated success driving cross-functional initiatives.
• Familiarity with predictive maintenance tools, automation systems, and advanced analytics.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending and savings accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid time off

Location

Farmers Branch, TX

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 and being updated.