Optical Engineer III (E3)

Posted 3 Hours Ago
Be an Early Applicant
Santa Clara, CA, USA
In-Office
138K-190K Annually
Entry level
Artificial Intelligence • Semiconductor • Manufacturing
The Role
Design and develop novel optical inspection and metrology systems for metasurface/flat optics. Define system requirements, engineer and qualify modules, plan experiments, analyze data, troubleshoot field issues, perform feasibility studies, evaluate new technologies, and mentor junior scientists while supporting vendor selection and customer engagements.
Summary Generated by Built In

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:

$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. 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

Applied Materials is shaping future tech trends by turning breakthrough ideas into reality. Our expertise in materials engineering is the foundation that computers, mobile devices and flat panel displays — products touched daily by billions of people all over the world — are built on. Join us and become a part of the next wave of engineering that makes possible AI/ML, big data, autonomous vehicles, AR/VR, IoT and more.
 
In the Office of the CTO, we are focused on bringing Applied Materials innovations to new and adjacent markets. Our Engineered Optics team is creating new super thin (sub micron) optical surfaces based on nanometer-sized structures on transparent substrates (known as “metasurface based optics” or “flat optics”), which manipulate light in the deep sub wavelength domain and enable previously impossible capabilities. These components will be the most fundamental change in optics in hundreds of years and could be deployed in AR/VR devices, cameras, projectors, sensors, and a host of yet to be imagined opportunities — there is endless potential. 
 
Our dedicated and talented team is working to perfect this new technology. If you’re an entrepreneurial-oriented, enthusiastic OPTICAL ENGINEER who is willing to learn and challenge yourself in creating cutting-edge technology to revolutionize the field of optics — we want you to be a part of our team, having:

Key Responsibilities

  • Define novel inspection systems concepts and configurations. Collects, analyzes data and designs statistically valid experiments. 
  • Designs and engineers modules. Qualifies modules / sub-modules. Design,  perform, collect and analyze data on advanced substrate, technologies and concepts for a range of new products.
  • Develop new or modified inspection and metrology systems. Performs research and analysis in physics or related subjects. Supports physics related application and system issues in the lab and in the field when required.
  • Define system requirements and specifications.  Troubleshoot system problems. Respond to field physics related issues, function as advisor for solving physics related application issues.
  • Plan projects involving definitions and selection of new concepts and approaches in the physics of development of new or improved tool. Supplies data to support product risk management decision making process. 
  • Participates in the vendor selection process. Participates in technological customer engagements and contributes in his / her specific field of expertise 
  • Guide less experienced physicists/scientists.
  • Evaluate new technologies, pursue innovative solutions, evaluate competitors and define new market needs. Plan and conduct test of  new technologies under evaluation in the team. Execute  feasibility studies of new technologies and provide results / analysis supporting the decision making process. Executes feasibility studies of complete systems / sub-systems, leveraging new technologies and design concepts. Prepares the demonstration of new capabilities and conducts performance analysis 

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

#LI

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

New College Grad

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 [email protected], 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.

Skills Required

  • Design and develop inspection and metrology systems and modules
  • Collect, analyze data and design statistically valid experiments
  • Perform research and analysis in physics or related subjects
  • Define system requirements, troubleshoot system problems, and support field physics issues
  • Qualify modules/sub-modules and execute feasibility studies of new technologies and systems
  • Evaluate new technologies, participate in vendor selection and customer technical engagements
  • Guide and mentor less experienced physicists/scientists and lead small projects

Applied Materials Compensation & Benefits Highlights

The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Applied Materials and has not been reviewed or approved by Applied Materials.

  • Strong & Reliable Incentives Annual and performance bonuses are often characterized as generous and predictable, with multiple programs (AIP/DBI/SIP) explicitly highlighted. Feedback suggests these incentives meaningfully augment base pay across many roles.
  • Equity Value & Accessibility Restricted Stock Units and an employee stock purchase plan are standard components of offers, and strong stock performance has made equity a notable upside. In some roles, RSUs and refreshers provide a meaningful boost to total compensation.
  • Healthcare Strength Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, alongside EAP support and on‑site/virtual health centers in key locations, are emphasized as part of a robust package. Benefits typically start on day one, and the breadth of coverage is highlighted as a core strength.

Applied Materials Insights

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The Company
HQ: Santa Clara, CA
23,282 Employees
Year Founded: 1969

What We Do

Applied Materials is the leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. Our expertise in modifying materials at atomic levels and on an industrial scale enables customers to transform possibilities into reality. At Applied Materials, our innovations make possible a better future.

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