GSOC Watch Officer

Applied Materials; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Materials, Inc. seeks a highly experienced Watch Officer to manage operations in our Global Security Operations Center in Austin, Texas.

The role leads a team responsible for life safety systems, access control, threat monitoring, traveler safety, and incident response in a high-stakes environment. The WO will oversee shift-based leadership, develop policies, and work with cross-functional partners to improve performance, safety, and continuity.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a command center or GSOC-related field.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Experience leading virtual teams and cross-functional collaborations.
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, manage, and motivate teams in a dynamic, cross-functional environment focused on life safety, security, and resiliency.
• Monitor GSOC technology systems and report deficiencies or outages to internal teams.
• Provide enterprise detection and coordinated response to security, safety, and business continuity events, including crisis management escalations.
• Develop and implement a multi-year plan aligning with GSO goals and business strategies.
• Function as the main point of contact for daily GSOC operations and develop security service performance metrics.
• Maintain GSOC policies, SOPs, and checklists to stay current with expectations.
• Oversee rapid notifications and crisis communications to stakeholders via mass tools.
• Identify and implement innovative technologies and AI tools to streamline GSOC workflows.
• Train teams on the use of AI tools in daily operations per policy.
• Assist field security specialists and program stakeholders.
• Stay updated on best practices in GSOC management and services.
• Monitor staffing levels and implement training programs for success.

Skills

5+ years GSOC/command center

Leadership

AI tools familiarity

Crisis management

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred

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.

What We Offer

Salary:

$120,000.00 - $165,000.00

Location:

Austin,TX

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.

Watch Officer, Global Security Operations Center

POSITION OVERVIEW

Company

Applied Materials is the leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. Our expertise in modifying materials at atomic levels and on an industrial scale helps our customers – who make smartphones, supercomputers, virtual reality headsets, autonomous vehicles and more – transform their ideas into reality.

The technologies we create are the foundational building blocks of the future. Our systems make semiconductor devices, called chips - 'the brains' of electronics used in almost every aspect of our lives. The promise of new and exciting applications, transforming industries such as consumer electronics, transportation, communications, and healthcare, are enabled by advances in semiconductor and display technology.

We Deliver Material Innovation that Changes the World. If you’re looking for the next step in your future, consider Applied Materials. With the data explosion and new investment in semiconductors, it’s an exciting place to be.

Role

We are seeking a highly experienced Watch Officer (WO) to manage operations in our Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) in Austin, Texas.

Applied Materials is growing at a pace that is driving significant increases in headcount and production. As a result, we expect over the next five years to have the most exciting and active R&D and manufacturing infrastructure pipeline in our history. With that growth, Global Security Operations (GSO) has the critical responsibility of protecting our people, intellectual property, reputation, products, and facilities – enabling Applied Materials’ success. We continue to build a world class security team supporting Applied’s global leadership in research, development, products, and capabilities, and as a member of the GSO team you will play an exciting and key role in our success.

The GSOC WO leads a team of security professionals focusing on critical life safety systems, access control, threat intelligence monitoring, traveler safety and risk management, emergency response, and customer service. A WO is expected to display expertise in managing people, process, and technology in a control room environment, including shift-based team leadership, strategic program oversight, effective communication (writing, speaking, and presenting), policy and procedure development, and project management. The WO must also have a working knowledge of AI and automation tools and how to apply them to GSOC operations.

The team you will lead consists of fourteen Global Security GSOC members. You will partner with internal stakeholders, functional subject‑matter‑experts in various business units, and others to align business requirements and common goals. It is the responsibility of this position to drive operational plans to ensure successful execution that will translate into measurable year‑over‑year improvements in performance, efficiency, and effectiveness. You will be responsible for driving process implementation and refinement, short and long‑term project management, cross‑team (control room and field‑services) collaboration, maintenance of internal and external stakeholder relationships, and directly supervising a team of shift supervisors.

The WO position requires an on‑site presence of forty (40) hours per week and reports to the GSOC Senior Manager. The role requires travel up to 10%.

Program Components Include

• Oversight of physical and life safety systems monitoring
• Threat intelligence alert escalations and reporting
• Traveler tracking and support
• Critical incident management
• Executive Protection team support
• Vendor engagements
• Monitoring and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs)

Key Responsibilities

• Build, lead, manage, and motivate teams in a dynamic, rapidly evolving, and cross‑functional environment that is centered around the use of people, processes, and technology to ensure life safety, security, and resiliency at corporate sites, providing both strategic direction and hands‑on guidance on day‑to‑day issues and events.
• Monitor GSOC technology systems and report deficiencies or outages to the appropriate internal teams.
• Provide enterprise detection and coordinated response to physical security, safety, and business continuity events, including crisis management escalations and off‑hours critical events requiring managerial oversight.
• Work with the GSOC leadership team, of which you will be a member, to develop and implement a multi‑year plan aligning with GSO goals and business strategies, and keep it current as business teams, sites, and stakeholder needs grow.
• Function as the main point of contact for daily operations of the GSOC, responsible for developing security service performance metrics and providing regular written reports to senior management.
• Oversee the coordinated development and maintenance of GSOC policies, SOPs, and procedural checklists, ensuring they remain current and compliant with GSO expectations.
• Manage rapid notifications and crisis communications to stakeholders via mass communication tools.
• Challenge the status quo by identifying, evaluating, and implementing innovative technologies, business processes, and AI and automation tools that streamline GSOC workflows (e.g., alert triage, incident reporting, and stakeholder notifications), driving faster response times, operational efficiencies, and measurable cost savings.
• Train and coach the team on the effective and responsible use of AI tools in daily operations, in line with Applied Materials policies.
• Aid field‑based security specialists, site security facilitators, and program stakeholders.
• Stay at the leading edge of industry best practices related to GSOC management and services.
• Monitor staffing levels to ensure operational needs are met, and operators are trained appropriately for their roles; develop and implement department and site‑specific training programs to ensure success.
• Assist internal investigators with systems of data tracking and audit requests.
• Promote a positive culture that sustains employee satisfaction and well‑being.
• Ensure that GSO remains in compliance with all statutory and reporting regulations and Applied Materials policies and controls.

Skills, Knowledge, Experience & Education

• 5+ years of experience in a command center or GSOC‑related field.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher preferred, or in lieu of education, extensive experience in command center management.
• Demonstrated track record for continuous improvements with a view to improving performance and cost efficacy.
• Demonstrated experience leading and collaborating with virtual teams and partner organizations (IT, Procurement, Security, Finance, Facilities, Legal, etc.) in a multinational organization to drive and deliver exceptional service, with the ability to influence cross‑functional teams.
• Understands the dynamics of a wide spectrum of Security services and industry‑leading service providers.
• Excels at managing multiple priorities simultaneously while making timely, well‑informed decisions in high‑pressure environments.

Other Suitability Factors

• A very mature individual with the right balance of confidence and humility
• Self‑motivated, with high energy and enthusiasm to drive exceptional business outcomes
• Process oriented while also building strong relationships upwards, downwards, and sideways across the organization
• An inspiring leader
• Strong situational awareness
• Able to handle sensitive and privileged information and intelligence with strict confidentiality

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.