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Probe Card Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Signal Integrity Engineer

Livermore, CA · Hybrid

$134K - $166K/yr

Position: Signal Integrity Engineer Duties:Improve Signal Integrity and Power Integrity (SI/PI ... Support the probe card development within the Design Group by improving the Design Organizations ...

Signal Integrity Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$134K - $166K/yr

Position: Signal Integrity Engineer Duties: Improve Signal Integrity and Power Integrity (SI/PI ... Support the probe card development within the Design Group by improving the Design Organizations ...

Guide ATE system configuration, load board and probe card design, and test interface integration ... Work closely with engineering teams across Europe, Asia, and North America. * Conduct customer ...

Guide ATE system configuration, load board and probe card design, and test interface integration ... Work closely with engineering teams across Europe, Asia, and North America. * Conduct customer ...

Knowledge of automated test equipment (ATE) platforms, probe card development, software and ... Some experience with scripting and simple programming skills. * Critical thinking skills to debug ...

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Probe Card Engineer information

What is a Probe Card Engineer job?

A Probe Card Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining probe cards used in semiconductor wafer testing. They work closely with test engineers and fabrication teams to ensure accurate and efficient electrical testing of integrated circuits. Their role involves troubleshooting probe card issues, optimizing performance, and collaborating with vendors for manufacturing and improvements. Strong knowledge of semiconductor testing, circuit design, and materials science is essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Probe Card Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Probe Card Engineer, a strong background in electrical engineering, semiconductor testing, and microfabrication processes is essential, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD design software, probe card analyzers, and failure analysis tools, as well as knowledge of industry standards like SEMI, is highly valued. Excellent problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help set candidates apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of probe cards, optimizing test yield, and supporting efficient collaboration across engineering and manufacturing teams.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Probe Card Engineer?

As a Probe Card Engineer, your typical day involves designing, developing, and validating probe cards used in semiconductor wafer testing, collaborating closely with product engineers and test floor technicians. You’ll troubleshoot any probe card performance issues, analyze test data to identify potential improvements, and work with CAD tools for new designs or modifications to existing products. Regular communication with cross-functional teams is common to ensure the probe cards meet evolving technology and production requirements. You may also participate in root cause analyses, manage documentation, and support ongoing process improvements, making problem-solving and adaptability key aspects of your role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Probe Card Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Probe Card Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Probe Card Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Probe Card Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Probe Card Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Probe Card Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Probe Card Engineer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution.
Sr Staff Probes Service NPI Engineer

Sr Staff Probes Service NPI Engineer

FormFactor, Inc.

Livermore, CA • On-site

$163K - $214K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


FormFactor rating

6.0

Company rating: 6.0 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

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:
The Sr Staff Probes Service NPI Engineer is responsible for ensuring service readiness, scalability, and lifecycle support for semiconductor test systems, including Automated Test Equipment (ATE), wafer probe systems, probe cards, and handlers. This role drives Design for Serviceability (DFS) supports high-mix/low-volume and high-volume manufacturing environments and ensures rapid ramp-to-volume with robust global service infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities:
New Product Introduction (NPI)
  • Lead service readiness activities for new product introductions from concept through commercialization.
  • Partner with product development teams to ensure design for serviceability (DFS), reliability, and supportability.
  • Define service requirements, tools, test equipment, and spare parts strategies.

Service Strategy & Execution
  • Develop service plans including repair strategies (field vs depot), service models, and support processes.
  • Establish service KPIs, cost models, and lifecycle support strategies.
  • Drive service cost reduction and efficiency improvements.

Training & Enablement
  • Develop and deliver training programs for field service engineers and partners.
  • Create training content including technical materials and hands-on modules.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with:
    • R&D / Engineering (design feedback)
    • Manufacturing (pilot builds, ramp support)
    • Supply Chain (spares planning)
    • Quality & Reliability teams (failure analysis)

Field Support & Continuous Improvement
  • Support early field deployments and resolve escalations.
  • Analyze field data to identify reliability issues and drive improvements.
  • Lead root cause analysis and corrective action implementation.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with probe card service models and lifecycle management.
  • Knowledge of advanced nodes (e.g., <7nm) and related test challenges.
  • Lean / Six Sigma certification.
  • Experience with digital service tools (remote monitoring, predictive maintenance).

Success Metrics:
  • Service readiness at product release (NPI milestones met).
  • Tool uptime and Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF).
  • Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) reduction.
  • Probe card and consumables lifecycle optimization.
  • Field issue resolution cycle time.
  • Customer satisfaction (fab performance and yield impact).

Skills:
Cross-Functional Leadership, Data Analysis Tools, Data-Driven Decision Making, Face-to-Face Customer Interaction, Failure Analysis, MATLAB, Probe Cards, Problem Solving, Python (Programming Language), Reliability Testing, Semiconductors, Wafer Fabrication, Wafer Probing, Wafer Sort, Yield Improvement
Education & Experience:
Minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor's degree; or 8 years and a Master's degree; or a PhD with 5 years experience; or equivalent experience | Required
Pay Range:
$163,400.00 - $214,410.00
Pay Range Explained:
This role in Livermore, California pays between $163,400.00 and $214,410.00 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.
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, please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list. A role is remote-eligible only when it is listed as "Remote" in the job location.

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