Sr Director, Applications Engineering

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.

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and develop a multi-layer Applications Engineering organization, including managers and technical leaders, ensuring succession planning, talent development, and organizational scalability
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with strategic customers, influencing technology roadmaps, business decisions, and long-term partnerships
• Serve as the primary liaison between global headquarters and strategic customers, leading technical engagements, new product introductions, and critical customer programs
• Define and execute applications engineering strategy across Korea, aligned with global business objectives
• Establish and drive operational excellence initiatives to improve probe design win rates, FA cycle time, PCIF First Time Right metrics, and overall customer satisfaction
• Partner with Sales leadership to align technical execution with opportunity and account strategies.
• Collaborate with Design Engineering to ensure clear ownership and clean handoffs post‑PCIF.
• Represent the Voice of the Customer in product roadmap planning, NPI, and technology reviews.
• Influence global Applications Engineering strategy and drive alignment across regional organizations to ensure consistent customer experience and operational excellence
• Drive a culture of ownership, execution excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Build and mentor a high-performing leadership team while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, collaboration, and customer success

Qualifications:

• 20+ years of experience in Applications Engineering, semiconductor test engineering, or other highly technical customer-facing leadership roles
• 10+ years of experience leading technical engagements with major global semiconductor manufacturers and strategic accounts
• Deep expertise in probe cards, wafer probing, and semiconductor test applications.
• Deep expertise in high-speed board-level circuit design, Signal Integrity (SI), and Power Integrity (PI) specifically tailored for high-speed & large fanout product architectures.
• Fundamental knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, with a strong understanding of wafer thermal behavior and its impact on probing performance.
• Proven experience leading globally distributed teams in a matrixed organization.
• Strong business acumen with ability to link technical execution to commercial outcomes.
• Excellent communication and executive‐level presentation skills
• Experience working with global teams and strategic customers in the semiconductor industry
• Proven track record of leading managers and developing high-performing technical organizations

Skills:

Education & Experience:

Minimum of 14+ years of related experience, including leadership roles, with a Bachelor’s degree; or 12 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 10 years experience; or equivalent experience | Required