Technical Program and Lab Operations Manager

Applied Materials, Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Materials, a global leader in materials science and engineering solutions, seeks a Technical Program and Lab Operations Manager in Santa Clara, CA. You will lead day-to-day technical, safety, and administrative functions of semiconductor labs, overseeing installation, maintenance, and infrastructure, while coordinating with engineering, facilities, and vendors to ensure reliable operations.

The role requires strong operational leadership, program management expertise, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Lead day-to-day technical, safety, and admin functions of semiconductor labs.
• Oversee installation, preventive and corrective maintenance, and infrastructure.
• Coordinate with engineering, facilities, vendors, and lab stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Ensure hardware projects are completed to predetermined requirements.
• Coordinate calibration and services of semiconductor equipment.
• Plan sustaining activities and capital upgrades with external vendors.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve technical and operational issues.
• Drive corrective actions and ensure documentation accuracy.
• Develop and coach lab technicians through training and goals.

Skills

Semiconductor lab ops

Technical program mgmt

Equipment install/maint

EHS compliance

Cross-functional leadership

Resource planning

Continuous improvement

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: $138,000.00 - $190,000.00
• 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.

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.

Summary

The Technical Program and Lab Operations Manager is responsible for leading the day-to-day technical, safety, and administrative functions of semiconductor laboratory environments. This role oversees equipment installation, preventative and corrective maintenance, and infrastructure support while ensuring compliance with safety standards and operational procedures. The position requires strong operational leadership, program management expertise, and the ability to effectively coordinate multiple technical and lab-support initiatives simultaneously. Success in this role depends on excellent communication skills, documentation discipline, cross-functional collaboration, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. The manager serves as a key liaison between engineering, facilities, vendors, and laboratory stakeholders to ensure reliable, safe, and efficient lab operations that support business and technology objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure that all hardware projects and programs assigned are completed in accordance with predetermined requirements, with specific attention to installation and qualification specifications, resource utilization and timelines for completion.
• Coordinate calibration, preventive and corrective services of semiconductor equipment, including managing inventory, consumables, and vendor-supported services.
• Plan for sustaining activities and capital equipment upgrades, track spending and coordinate with external vendors to support lab operations and equipment.
• Identify, analyze, and resolve technical, operational, and organizational issues.
• Drive corrective actions to successful completion, ensure accountability among stakeholders, and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail in all documentation and deliverables.
• Manage team of technicians, adapt plans and priorities to meet service and/or operational challenges.
• Develop personnel to include training, career development and individual goals, implementing employee development plans and coaching.
• Participate in, and/or manage, employee selection and hiring of personnel.
• Manage reward and discipline processes.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple program priorities, inventories, inspections, and operational priorities.
• Act as the central coordination point across Engineering, Facilities, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), and Vendors.
• Drive 6S and cleanroom discipline by ensuring lab areas adhere to required standards.

Position 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's core values.

Key Competencies

• Semiconductor laboratory operations management
• Technical program and project management
• Equipment installation, qualification, and maintenance
• Environmental health and safety (EHS) compliance
• Cross-functional leadership and communication
• Resource planning and prioritization
• Continuous improvement and risk management

Additional Information

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