Process Engineer III

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:

$124,000.00 - $171,000.00

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 a Process Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in designing and optimizing manufacturing processes for display and semiconductor manufacturing technologies. You will collect and analyze data, perform hardware characterization, and troubleshoot engineering issues. You'll also measure film properties, generate technical documentation, and engage with customers to resolve concerns. Process Engineers collaborate with vendors and suppliers, and become familiar with implementing new technologies and products. You will experiment, learn, and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the semiconductor and display industries, partnering with our globally recognized R&D teams on state-of-the-art research and development projects.  

Key Responsibilities

• Design, execute, and analyze complex engineering experiments to evaluate hardware performance; compile detailed technical reports
• Perform hardware characterization across advanced systems, modules, and sub-systems
• Troubleshoot complex hardware issues, conduct root cause analysis (RCA), and implement effective corrective actions
• Lead qualification of modules and sub-modules, including defining validation strategies and executing test plans
• Develop and analyze data for advanced hardware technologies and new product concepts
• Define, coordinate, and perform engineering tests; generate accurate and comprehensive test reports with limited supervision
• Integrate and deploy new hardware technologies, products, and analytical instrumentation into development and manufacturing environments
• Collaborate cross-functionally with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure product performance and reliability
• Serve as a technical mentor to junior engineers and contribute to knowledge-sharing across the team
• Lead small project teams or technical initiatives as required

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field
• 4–7 years of experience in hardware engineering, product development, or system characterization
• Strong hands-on experience with hardware testing, debugging, and data analysis
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical problems and drive solutions to closure

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with hardware validation, reliability testing, or system integration
• Strong understanding of industry best practices in hardware design and testing
• Familiarity with analytical instrumentation (e.g., oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, DAQ systems, thermal analysis tools)
• Knowledge of product lifecycle processes and how hardware development integrates with manufacturing and quality functions
• Ability to understand business drivers, market demands, and competitive landscape

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
• Hands-on hardware debugging expertise
• Excellent technical communication and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently and lead initiatives with minimal supervision
• Strong collaboration and team leadership capabilities

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 [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.