Principal Process Engineer / Customer Technologist

Applied Materials, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 172,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Materials, Santa Clara, CA, is seeking a senior leader to combine deep semiconductor process expertise with customer engagement and strategic influence. You will work directly with industry-leading customers to shape future product direction and bring next-generation semiconductor technologies to market.

As Head of HeadSmart, you will oversee global leadership, capacity planning, technology transfer, and quality performance while expanding HeadSmart capabilities worldwide.

Qualifications

• Executive presentations to senior leadership.
• Technical account leadership with strategic customers.
• Cross-functional leadership across engineering, product, and business teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead resolution of complex semiconductor process issues with DOE.
• Act as trusted technical advisor to strategic customers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative processes.
• Design and evaluate customer demonstrations and beta programs.
• Support technology transfers and knowledge sharing.
• Influence product strategy with customer feedback.
• Present roadmaps and recommendations to executives.
• Build relationships with leading manufacturers.
• Drive adoption of next-gen solutions.
• Guide global teams on best practices.

Skills

Executive presentations

Technical account leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic roadmap discussions

Education

BS in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Semiconductor Engineering OR equivalent experience

MS or PhD preferred

Tools

JMP

Minitab

SPC

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: $172,000.00 - $236,500.00

Location: Austin,TX, Phoenix,AZ, 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.

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.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to combine deep semiconductor process expertise with customer engagement, technology leadership, and strategic influence. You'll work directly with industry‑leading customers, shape future product direction, and play a critical role in bringing next‑generation semiconductor technologies to market.

What You’ll Do

As a key technical leader, you’ll partner with some of the world’s most advanced semiconductor manufacturers to solve complex process challenges, drive technology adoption, and influence next‑generation product development. In this highly visible customer‑facing role, you will:

• Lead the resolution of complex semiconductor process and technology issues using advanced troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and DOE methodologies.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to strategic customers, driving process optimization, customer satisfaction, and long‑term partnerships.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional engineering, product, and business teams to develop and deliver innovative process solutions that meet customer requirements.
• Design, execute, and evaluate customer demonstrations, technology evaluations, beta programs, and joint development activities.
• Support new technology introductions and technology transfers while customizing process solutions for customer applications.
• Act as the voice of the customer by influencing product strategy, identifying technology gaps, and providing feedback on process and hardware improvements.
• Present technical roadmaps, solutions, and business recommendations to customer executives and senior leadership.
• Build strategic relationships with leading semiconductor manufacturers to evaluate emerging technologies and accelerate adoption of next‑generation solutions.
• Drive knowledge sharing and best practices across global teams to strengthen product performance and customer success.
• Stay at the forefront of semiconductor technology trends through industry engagement, technical publications, and collaboration with internal and external experts.

Education

BS in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Electrical, Mechanical, or Semiconductor Engineering OR equivalent experience. MS or PhD preferred.

Experience

• 8-15+ years in semiconductor process engineering or technology development.
• Customer‑facing support for wafer fabrication accounts.
• Technology transfer, process integration, yield improvement, and NPI experience.
• Experience with Logic, DRAM, NAND, or Advanced Packaging.

Technical Skills

• Design of Experiments (DOE) JMP, Minitab, SPC and statistical analysis.
• Root Cause Analysis, 8D, FMEA, Fishbone.
• Semiconductor process development and optimization.
• Hardware/process interaction troubleshooting.

Customer & Leadership Competencies

• Executive presentations.
• Technical account leadership.
• Joint development programs and beta evaluations.
• Cross‑functional leadership.
• Strategic roadmap discussions.

Position Requirements

Requires understanding of Applied Materials global Standards of Business Conduct and compliance with these standards at all times. This includes demonstrating the highest level of ethical conduct reflecting Applied Materials' core values.

The Head of HeadSmart

The Head of HeadSmart is responsible for the global leadership, operational performance, and strategic support of the SBU direction for the HeadSmart business. This role provides end‑to‑end accountability for capacity planning, operational excellence, customer readiness, technology transfer, quality performance, workforce development, and expansion of HeadSmart capabilities worldwide.

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.