Data Governance and Protection Analyst

Applied Materials; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 241,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Materials in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a Data Governance & Protection Analyst to advance enterprise data protection, governance, and compliance initiatives. You’ll partner with Legal, Information Security, and business stakeholders to design scalable controls, labeling taxonomy, and metrics while enabling AI-enabled processes and executive reporting.

The role emphasizes data discovery, classification, and practical operating models to protect sensitive information, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 4-7 years of experience in data governance, data protection, cybersecurity, or related fields.
• Experience supporting enterprise data protection, data classification, sensitivity labeling, or governance programs.
• Ability to partner effectively with cross-functional stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and business judgment skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to present to executives.
• Strong presentation, data visualization, and PowerPoint skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and support strategy, implementation, and continual improvement of scalable enterprise data protection capabilities including data discovery, classification, and handling practices.
• Enable AI-enabled agents, workflow automation, and analytics solutions with appropriate teams and tools.
• Partner with business groups to understand processes and implement data governance, classification, and protection requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and operationalize sensitivity labeling, classification taxonomy, and data handling frameworks.
• Develop analytics, dashboards, executive-ready reporting to monitor data protection posture and tagging effectiveness.
• Bridge between technical teams, stakeholders, Legal, Information Security, data owners, and risk/compliance partners.
• Support user education and change management for data classification and handling policies.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Presentation

Data visualization

PowerPoint

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

Congruity 360

Microsoft Purview

Job description

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.

What We Offer

Salary:
$175,000.00 - $241,000.00
Location:
Santa Clara,CA

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible-while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.

Data Governance & Protection Analyst

Overview

Applied Materials has an exciting opportunity to join the Legal & Compliance Organization in a highly visible role supporting the Enterprise Data Protection program. This role will help advance enterprise data protection capabilities by designing, implementing, and continuously improving scalable solutions that safeguard sensitive and regulated information while enabling business innovation.

The ideal candidate will partner closely with Legal, Information Security, business stakeholders, data owners, and technical teams throughout Applied to strengthen data discovery, governance, classification, sensitivity labeling, metrics, automation, and user adoption across structured and unstructured data environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and support strategy, implementation, and continuous improvement of scalable enterprise data protection capabilities including data discovery, classification, and handling practices.
• Enable AI-enabled agents, workflow automation, and analytics solutions with appropriate teams and tools.
• Partner with business groups to understand business processes and implement practical data governance, classification, and protection requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and operationalize sensitivity labeling, classification taxonomy, and data handling frameworks to enable accurate identification, management, and protection of sensitive data.
• Develop advanced analytics, metrics, dashboards, executive-ready reporting and automation to help monitor performance and provide insights on data protection posture, classification, and tagging effectiveness.
• Serve as a bridge between technical teams, business stakeholders, Legal, Information Security, data owners, and risk and compliance partners to translate requirements into practical operating models, controls, and program deliverables.
• Support user education, change management, and adoption of data classification and handling policies to ensure employees understand how to label, manage, and protect sensitive information appropriately.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Program Management, Risk Management, Information Management, Data Governance, Information Security, or a related field.
• Minimum 4-7 years of relevant experience in data governance, data protection, cybersecurity, technical program management, data management, or a related field.
• Experience supporting enterprise data protection, data classification, sensitivity labeling, information protection, or data governance programs.
• Ability to partner effectively with cross-functional stakeholders at all levels of the organization, including business, Legal, Information Security, technical, and compliance teams.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and business judgment skills, with the ability to translate complex requirements into practical program plans and operational processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, anticipate objections, and tailor messages for technical, business, and executive audiences.
• Strong presentation, data visualization, dashboarding, and PowerPoint skills, with the ability to develop executive-ready reporting and insights.
• High integrity, sound judgment, attention to detail, pragmatism, and willingness to take initiative in managing sensitive information and cross-functional priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a related field
• Experience with Congruity 360, Microsoft Purview or similar tools
• Programming, scripting, automation, analytics, or technical implementation experience preferred for roles focused on workflow automation, AI-enabled solutions, or enterprise-scale technical controls.

Additional Information

Time Type: Full time

Employee Type: Assignee / Regular

Travel: Yes, 10% of the Time

Relocation Eligible: No

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at [e-mail], or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.