Field Service Engineer - Process, Diagnostics, and Control (PDC)

Applied Materials; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 88,400 - 122,512; Full time

Job summary

Applied Materials in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a Field Service Engineer to install, maintain, and upgrade semiconductor equipment at customer sites, coordinating directly with customers to ensure smooth operations.

You will diagnose issues using basic techniques and collaborate with Senior Field Service Engineers, traveling up to 25% as needed. This role requires an Associate degree and 4–7 years in semiconductor equipment support, SEM familiarity, and strong mechanical skills.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent trade certification.
• 4–7 years in semiconductor or equipment support.
• Familiarity with scanning electron microscope (SEM).
• Strong mechanical aptitude across pneumatics, hydraulics, electronics, vacuum or thermodynamics.
• Proficient with digital multimeters and hand tools.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain passport if travel is required.
• On-site safety and COVID-19 protocol compliance.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, and upgrade customer equipment.
• Assess equipment issues with basic diagnostics, with senior engineers’ support.
• Collaborate with customers to understand roadmaps and requirements.
• Train and mentor junior Field Service Engineers.
• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on electrical, vacuum, mechanical, plasma, hydraulic, and gas systems.
• Coordinate and communicate directly with customers.
• Fulfill additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Familiarity SEM

Mechanical aptitude

Microsoft Office

Communication skills

Safety compliance

Customer focus

Education

Associate degree

Tools

Digital multimeters

Hand tools

Job description

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.

What We Offer

Salary:

$42.50 - $58.90

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 (https://hrportal.ehr.com/applied/) .

As a Field Service Engineer [Customer Engineer] at Applied Materials, you serve as the direct liaison with customers, collaborating closely to install, maintain, and upgrade equipment. You'll use digital analytics for troubleshooting and apply basic diagnostic techniques to assess and address technical issues. Your responsibilities include performing preventative and corrective maintenance on various systems such as electrical, vacuum, mechanical, plasma, hydraulic, and gas systems. Additionally, you'll coordinate and communicate directly with customers to ensure smooth operations and exceptional service.

General Profile:

Has developed specialized skills or is multi-skilled developed through job-related training and considerable on‑the‑job experience. Completes work with a limited degree of supervision. Likely to act as an informal resource for colleagues with less experience.

Role Responsibilities:

• Install, maintain, and upgrade customer equipment
• Apply basic diagnostic techniques to assess equipment and address technical issues, with assistance from Senior Field Service Engineers [Customer Engineers]
• Collaborate with Senior Field Service Engineers [Customer Engineers] and/or the customer to understand roadmaps, process flows, inflection points, requirements, and business challenges
• Train and mentor junior Field Service Engineers [Customer Engineers]
• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on electrical, vacuum, mechanical, plasma, hydraulic, and gas systems
• Coordinate and communicate directly with customers
• Fulfill additional duties, as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of an Associate degree, military technical training, field service experience, or trade certification
• 4-7 years of work experience in semiconductor industry or other equipment support industry
• Familiarity with scanning electron microscope (SEM)
• Advanced mechanical aptitude with pneumatics, hydraulics, electronics, vacuum, and/or thermodynamics
• Strong knowledge of hand tools and their appropriate usage, including digital multimeters
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to obtain a passport, if travel is required.
• Able to meet all on‑site requirements, including safety, environmental guidelines, and COVID-19 protocols

Physical Requirements:

This position often requires extensive walking, standing for extended periods of time, working in tight spaces, bending, squatting, twisting, kneeling, reaching, climbing stairs and ladders, working at height, lifting up to 35 lbs., the ability to distinguish between colors and working with electricity, the ability to work in an environment with noise that may be difficult for some individuals with sensitivity to noise, and the use of hand and power tools. Additionally, because this position generally involves working in a clean room, it requires the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment such as coveralls, hoods, booties, safety glasses, gloves, respirators, chemical aprons, and face shields.

Education: Associate's Degree

Experience: 4 - 7 Years

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 25% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

Yes

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 (https://www.appliedmaterials.com/us/en/careers.html) 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.