RF Systems Engineer Sr.

Socket.dev; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 163,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Materials is seeking a Senior RF Engineer to lead development of RF power delivery systems for semiconductor manufacturing equipment, spanning design, integration, testing, and optimization. The role requires deep RF engineering expertise, cross‑disciplinary collaboration, and leadership of technical initiatives.

You will collaborate across electrical, mechanical, software and process teams to deliver improvements in performance, reliability, and customer value, while guiding junior

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline with 10+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Master's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• PhD with 6+ years of experience in semiconductor or related capital equipment development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, specification, integration, and qualification of RF subsystems and modules.
• Develop and maintain specifications, schematics and engineering documentation.
• Define system requirements and performance specifications for new products and technology platforms.
• Support product releases by developing test plans, validating performance, and ensuring manufacturability.
• Utilize analytical, circuit simulation, and electromagnetic modeling tools to predict RF system behavior and guide design decisions.
• Partner with researchers and engineers to understand RF‑plasma interactions and improve performance.
• Lead integration of RF systems into semiconductor processing equipment.
• Mentor junior engineers and lead small to mid‑size projects.

Skills

RF Engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline

Master's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience

PhD with 6+ years of experience in semiconductor or related capital equipment development

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: $163,000.00 - $224,000.00

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.

As an Electrical Engineer, you are responsible for designing, modifying, and troubleshooting electrical or electronic engineering assemblies, layouts, schematics, and drawings to advance the equipment that supports our technology. Using your technical experience and critical thinking skills, you will perform engineering analysis, generate test reports, develop innovative solutions, and create documentation for product releases. You will also coordinate the procurement and assembly of components, identify sources of critical parts, and resolve technical issues to ensure peak performance.

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Senior RF Engineer to lead the development, integration, optimization, and troubleshooting of advanced RF power delivery systems used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This role requires deep expertise in RF engineering, plasma processing, and system-level design, along with the ability to drive complex technical initiatives from concept through production.

The successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert in RF technologies, collaborating across electrical, mechanical, software, ECAT communication, process, and manufacturing disciplines to develop innovative solutions that improve system performance, reliability, and customer value. This position combines hands‑on engineering, technical leadership, supplier engagement, and customer support.

Key Responsibilities

RF System Design & Development

• Lead the design, specification, integration, and qualification of RF subsystems and modules, including:

• RF generators

• Matching networks

• RF filters

• RF diagnostics and sensors

• ICP source designs

• RF transmission and power distribution systems

• Develop and maintain specifications, schematics and engineering documentation.

• Define system requirements and performance specifications for new products and technology platforms.

• Support product releases by developing test plans, validating performance, and ensuring manufacturability.

• Utilize analytical, circuit simulation, and electromagnetic modeling tools to predict RF system behavior and guide design decisions.

Plasma and RF Performance Optimization

• Partner closely with technology, productivity, and process, engineers to understand RF-plasma interactions and improve performance.

• Analyze and optimize:

• Plasma ignition characteristics

• RF coupling efficiency

• Process uniformity

• Chamber-to-chamber matching

• Wafer-to-wafer repeatability

• Develop and implement advanced RF control strategies for next-generation semiconductor process requirements.

System Integration & Troubleshooting

• Lead integration of RF systems into semiconductor processing equipment.

• Participate in supplier selection, technical evaluations, and development activities.

• Independently diagnose and resolve complex RF, electrical, and plasma-related issues with minimal supervision.

• Analyze complex system behaviors using experimental data, simulation tools, and root-cause methodologies.

• Work closely with software engineering teams to ensure effective hardware-software integration and control.

Innovation & Technology Development

• Evaluate emerging RF technologies, industry trends, and competitive solutions.

• Drive innovation through development of new concepts, architectures, and system capabilities.

• Conduct technical investigations and proof-of-concept testing to support technology roadmaps and strategic decisions.

• Present technical findings and recommendations to engineering leadership, executive stakeholders and customers.

Technical Leadership

• Serve as a subject matter expert in RF Engineering.

• Mentor and guide junior engineers through technical coaching and knowledge sharing.

• Lead small to medium-sized projects and provide technical direction for multidisciplinary teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline with 10+ years of relevant industry experience; or

• Master's degree with 8+ years of relevant experience; or

• PhD with 6+ years of experience in semiconductor or related capital equipment development.

Additional Information

Time Type: Full time. Employee Type: Assignee / Regular. Travel: Yes, 20% 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.