Market Segment Development Director, Silicon Photonics

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:

As a senior leader within our organization, you will be responsible for setting the strategic direction, scaling the global silicon photonics business, and driving cross‑functional alignment to ensure long‑term commercial success. Your work will directly influence our market positioning, product strategy, customer engagement model, and revenue growth within a rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define and lead the global strategic roadmap for our Silicon Photonics market segment, ensuring long‑term growth, competitive differentiation, and alignment with corporate strategy.

• Drive business expansion by identifying new market opportunities, emerging technologies, and strategic customer partnerships across key regions.

• Shape the future portfolio by guiding product line leaders on customer needs, market trends, and technology requirements to accelerate new product and solution development.

• Lead and influence global cross‑functional teams, including Product Line, R\&D, Front-End Sales, Marketing, and Operations, to ensure synchronized execution of market initiatives.

• Act as executive sponsor for strategic customer accounts, managing high‑level relationships, securing design‑wins, and ensuring customer satisfaction throughout the product lifecycle.

• Oversee strategic market introductions, including global go‑to‑market planning, sales enablement, and regional commercialization strategies.

• Establish and negotiate long-term business plans, pricing strategies, and growth targets in collaboration with Sales Leadership and Business Units.

• Develop organizational capabilities by mentoring sales and product teams on Silicon Photonics technologies, applications, and value propositions.

• Represent the company externally at industry forums, conferences, standards committees, and with key ecosystem partners.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications:

• Completed university degree in marketing, business administration, engineering (electrical, mechanical, photonics, device design), physics, or a related field; an advanced degree (MSc/PhD/MBA) is a strong plus.

• Extensive experience in business development, product strategy, or market development within high‑tech industries — ideally photonics, semiconductors, optical communication, or related fields.

• A strong track record in leading strategic initiatives, driving global market growth, and managing complex cross‑functional programs.

• Proven ability to manage executive‑level customer engagements and negotiate strategic business agreements.

• Solid knowledge of IT applications such as Salesforce and MS Office; experience with CRM‑driven sales steering is an advantage.

• Strong analytical mindset, strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and the ability to steer organizations through change.

• A compelling communicator with strong influencing skills who combines structure, determination, and creativity to drive results.

Ideal Leadership Style:

• You demonstrate a confident, collaborative, and inspiring leadership approach and work effectively across organizational levels and cultures.

• You communicate with clarity and credibility, adapting your message to senior stakeholders, technical experts, and commercial teams alike.

• Handling sensitive business information with discretion is second nature to you.

• You excel in navigating complexity, solving strategic problems, and driving structured, proactive decision-making.

• You foster a positive, engagement‑driven environment where teams feel empowered to innovate and deliver excellence.

Skills:

Analytical Thinking, Business Agreements, Business Development, Cross-Functional Management, Executive Engagement, Global Marketing, Market Development, Product Strategies, Strategic Initiative

Education & Experience:

Minimum of 15 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 12 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 8 years experience; or equivalent experience | Required

Pay Range:

$192,400.00 - $252,525.00

Pay Range Explained:

This role in Livermore, California pays between $192,400.00 and $252,525.00 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.