Physicist/Scientist-X-Ray Fluorescence III (E3)

Applied Materials, Inc.; Benicia (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Materials seeks a highly capable physicist to join our advanced inspection and metrology systems development team in Benicia, CA. You will contribute to defining, designing, and validating next-generation inspection technologies, including X-ray fluorescence, to support innovative products.

The role requires an advanced degree in Physics and strong analytical, experimental, and cross-disciplinary collaboration skills.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (PhD or MSc) in Physics or related field.
• Strong analytical and experimental skills, including statistical data analysis.
• Experience in system design, metrology, or inspection technologies is an advantage.
• Ability to solve complex technical problems and work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with internal teams, customers, and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Define and develop novel inspection system concepts, architectures, and configurations.
• Design and execute statistically sound experiments; collect, analyze, and interpret data to support development decisions.
• Engineer, design, and qualify modules and sub-modules for advanced inspection systems.
• Develop new or enhanced inspection and metrology solutions for emerging substrate technologies and applications.
• Conduct research and analysis in physics or related disciplines to support product innovation.
• Define system requirements and specifications, and troubleshoot complex system-level issues.
• Provide expert support for physics-related application and system challenges both in the lab and in the field.
• Lead or contribute to project planning, including the evaluation and integration of new concepts and approaches into product development.
• Support product risk management processes by delivering data-driven insights and recommendations.
• Participate in vendor selection and collaborate with external partners.
• Engage with customers on technological topics and provide subject-matter expertise in your domain.
• Mentor and guide junior physicists and scientists.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, market trends, and competitor capabilities to identify new opportunities.
• Plan and conduct feasibility studies for new technologies, systems, and sub-systems, delivering clear analysis to guide decision-making.
• Demonstrate new capabilities and perform performance analysis to validate solutions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Experimental skills

Statistical analysis

System design

Metrology

Inspection technologies

Problem solving

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Physics advanced degree (PhD or MSc)

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: $120,000.00 - $165,000.00

Location: Benicia, 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.

Key Responsibilities

We are seeking a highly motivated physicist to join our advanced inspection and metrology systems development team. In this role, you will contribute to the definition, design, and validation of next-generation technologies that support innovative products.

Job Description – Physicist / Inspection Systems Development-X-Ray Fluorescence

Key Responsibilities

• Define and develop novel inspection system concepts, architectures, and configurations.


• Design and execute statistically sound experiments; collect, analyze, and interpret data to support development decisions.


• Engineer, design, and qualify modules and sub-modules for advanced inspection systems.


• Develop new or enhanced inspection and metrology solutions for emerging substrate technologies and applications.


• Conduct research and analysis in physics or related disciplines to support product innovation.


• Define system requirements and specifications, and troubleshoot complex system-level issues.


• Provide expert support for physics-related application and system challenges both in the lab and in the field.


• Lead or contribute to project planning, including the evaluation and integration of new concepts and approaches into product development.


• Support product risk management processes by delivering data-driven insights and recommendations.


• Participate in vendor selection and collaborate with external partners.


• Engage with customers on technological topics and provide subject-matter expertise in your domain.


• Mentor and guide junior physicists and scientists.


• Evaluate emerging technologies, market trends, and competitor capabilities to identify new opportunities.


• Plan and conduct feasibility studies for new technologies, systems, and sub-systems, delivering clear analysis to guide decision-making.


• Demonstrate new capabilities and perform performance analysis to validate solutions.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (PhD or MSc) in Physics or a related field.


• Strong analytical and experimental skills, including statistical data analysis.


• Experience in system design, metrology, or inspection technologies is an advantage.


• Ability to solve complex technical problems and work across multidisciplinary teams.


• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate with internal teams, customers, and external partners.

Functional Knowledge

• Demonstrates conceptual and practical expertise in own discipline and basic knowledge of related disciplines

Business Expertise

• Has knowledge of best practices and how own area integrates with others; is aware of the competition and the factors that differentiate them in the market

Leadership

• Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience; may lead small projects with manageable risks and resource requirements

Problem Solving

• Solves complex problems; takes a new perspective on existing solutions; exercises judgment based on the analysis of multiple sources of information

Impact

• Impacts a range of customer, operational, project or service activities within own team and other related teams; works within broad guidelines and policies

Interpersonal Skills

• Explains difficult or sensitive information; works to build consensus

Additional Information

• Time Type: Full time


• Employee Type: Assignee / Regular


• Travel: Not Specified


• 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 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.