Equipment Engineer III

About the role

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.

About the role

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.

The Equipment Engineer III is responsible for leading complex equipment engineering projects with a high degree of autonomy and technical expertise in semiconductor, assembly, and electronics test manufacturing environments. 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.

Equipment Installation & Qualification

• 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.

Equipment Troubleshooting & Reliability

• 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.

Preventive & Predictive Maintenance

• 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.

Equipment Performance Optimization

• 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.

Vendor & Spare Parts Management

• 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.

Process & Manufacturing Partnership

• 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.

Continuous Improvement

• 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.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications & Experiences

• 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.

Farmers Branch, TX

Benefits offered for this role include medical, dental, vision, EAP, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, flexible spending and savings accounts, 401(k), ESPP and paid time off.

Skills

Continuous Improvement, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Equipment Reliability Improvement, Maintenance Engineering, Manufacturing Compliance, Manufacturing Safety, Mentorship, Project Leadership, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Statistical Data Analysis, Technical Communication, Technical Troubleshooting, Vendor Management.

Education & 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 | Required.