Physicist/Scientist- X-Ray Source Modeling

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

Job summary

Applied Materials is seeking a highly skilled physicist to own physics modeling for X-ray sources, electron optics, and thermal analysis across high-power components. You will build end-to-end simulations, quantify uncertainties, and guide design choices with rigorous validation.

A strong background in multiphysics tools and scripting is essential. You will mentor junior staff and contribute to customer engagements while translating sensitivity results into actionable design decisions.

Qualifications

• MS or PhD in physics, applied physics, EE, ME, nuclear engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated ownership of at least two of: charged particle optics, thermal and structural analysis under high thermal load, X-ray generation and optics.
• Fluency in finite element methods and their limits, plus working knowledge of at least one other numerical approach.
• Multiphysics tools (COMSOL, Opera, CST, ANSYS, Lorentz, FEniCS, or comparable), driven through scripting interfaces.
• Python, C, or C++ for pre- and post-processing, data reduction, and optimization loops.

Responsibilities

• Simulate electron optics end to end: thermionic emission, space-charge-limited transport, focusing and aberration, deflection, and spot formation in realistic geometry with realistic applied fields.
• Build coupled electrothermal models of beam power deposition on targets, apertures, and grids: conjugate heat transfer, radiative exchange, transient loading, thermally driven distortion.
• Model X-ray generation and transport: bremsstrahlung and emission yield, self-absorption, spectral shaping, detector response.
• Quantify and communicate uncertainty: convergence and mesh studies, sensitivity to material data and geometry tolerance.
• Design experiments to test the models and work with lab to execute and interpret.
• Translate sensitivity results into design and manufacturing decisions: tolerances, alignment budgets, process windows.
• Script and version simulation workflows so parametric studies are reproducible.
• Contribute to technical customer engagements.
• Mentor junior physicists and engineers in modeling practice.

Skills

charged particle optics

thermal analysis

X-ray generation

Python

C/C++

finite element methods

version control

Education

MS/PhD in physics

Tools

COMSOL

Opera

CST

ANSYS

Lorentz

FEniCS

Geant4

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: $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.

Role Summary

Own the physics modeling that sets the performance limits of our X-ray sources: electron optics from cathode to target, thermal behavior of components under high electrical power density, and X-ray generation and transport through to the detector. You will be the person the team trusts to say what a design will do before it is built, and to say how confident you are.

Responsibilities

• Simulate electron optics end to end: thermionic emission, space-charge-limited transport, focusing and aberration, deflection, and spot formation in realistic geometry with realistic applied fields.
• Build coupled electrothermal models of beam power deposition on targets, apertures, and grids: conjugate heat transfer, radiative exchange, transient and duty-cycled loading, thermally driven distortion, and the feedback of that distortion onto beam and spot performance.
• Model X-ray generation and transport: bremsstrahlung and characteristic emission yield from transmission and reflection targets, self-absorption in target and substrate, spectral shaping by filtration and windows, downstream optics, and detector response.
• Quantify and communicate uncertainty: convergence and mesh studies, sensitivity to material property data and geometric tolerance, and an explicit statement of what each model can and cannot predict.
• Design the experiments that test the models. Identify which measurable actually discriminates between competing hypotheses, then work with the lab to execute and interpret.
• Translate sensitivity results into design and manufacturing decisions: drawing tolerances, alignment budgets, process windows.
• Script and version simulation workflows so parametric studies are reproducible and re-runnable by someone else.
• Contribute to technical customer engagements
• Mentor junior physicists and engineers in modeling practice, including the habit of validating before believing.

Required

• MS or PhD in physics, applied physics, EE, ME, nuclear engineering, or a related field, plus roughly 5+ years applying simulation to physical hardware.
• Demonstrated ownership of at least two of: charged particle optics, thermal and structural analysis materials under high thermal load, X-ray generation and optics.
• Fluency in finite element methods and their limits, plus working knowledge of at least one other relevant numerical approach: boundary element, particle-in-cell, Monte Carlo radiation transport, or ray tracing.
• Multiphysics tools (COMSOL, Opera, CST, ANSYS, Lorentz, FEniCS, or comparable), driven through their scripting interfaces rather than the GUI alone.
• Python, C, or C++ for pre- and post-processing, data reduction, and optimization loops.
• Version control as a default habit.
• A track record of comparing model to measurement, finding them in disagreement, and diagnosing why.

Preferred

• Monte Carlo radiation transport (Geant4/TOPAS, PENELOPE, EGSnrc) for electron-target interaction, spectrum, and dose.
• X-ray optics simulation (SHADOW/OASYS, XRT, McXtrace, SRW) and dynamical diffraction calculation for crystal optics.
• Cathode and emission physics: dispenser cathodes, LaB₆ or CeB₆, field emission, lifetime and poisoning mechanisms.
• High-vacuum practice: outgassing, thermal management across brazed and welded joints, contact conductance, high-voltage holdoff and breakdown.
• Adjacent-field background: accelerator or beamline physics, electron microscopy, vacuum electronics (TWT, klystron, magnetron), medical or industrial X-ray tubes, e-beam lithography, semiconductor metrology.
• Design of experiments, numerical optimization, surrogate or reduced-order modeling.
• Comfort working from mechanical CAD, including defeaturing and model prep.

Business Expertise

• Has knowledge of best practices and how own area integrates with others

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:

Yes, 10% 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 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.