{"id":401117,"url":"https://alion.io/job/applied-materials-director-physicistscientist-lasers","title":"Director, Physicist/Scientist - Lasers","company":{"id":3903,"name":"Applied Materials","domain":"appliedmaterials.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/amat","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Workday","truth_index":{"grade":"A","score":88,"open_postings":264,"ghost_share":0.004,"stale_share":0.477,"repost_share":0.008,"time_to_fill_p50_days":55,"computed_at":"2026-11-02T06:13:15Z"}},"role":"Science & Research","role_family":"Science & Research","seniority":"head","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Santa Clara, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":210000,"max":289000,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":289000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":true,"technologies":[{"name":"CAPA","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-08-27T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-08-27","last_verified_at":"2026-11-02T05:49:02Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":67,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":67},"description":"Who We Are\nApplied 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.\nWhat We Offer\nSalary:\n$210,000.00 - $289,000.00Location:\nSanta Clara,CAYou’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.\nAt 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.\nKey Responsibilities\nTechnology Strategy & Vision\nDefine long-term laser and optics technology roadmaps supporting advanced logic, DRAM, power devices, specialty semiconductors, and advanced packaging.\nIdentify emerging laser, optics, sensing, and thermal processing technologies that create competitive differentiation.\nEstablish technical investment priorities aligned with customer and product roadmaps.\nDrive strategic make-versus-buy decisions for laser, optics, metrology, and subsystem technologies.\nNew Product Development\nLead development of next-generation laser annealing platforms.\nDefine system architectures for:High-power laser subsystems\nBeam shaping and homogenization optics\nOptical delivery systems\nWafer temperature metrology\nPyrometry systems\nOptical sensing and diagnostics\nLaser safety and stray-light management\n\nDrive proof-of-concept demonstrations through production deployment.\nLead technical risk assessments and architecture trade studies.\nInstalled Base Support & Continuous Product Improvement (CIP)\nOwn laser and optics technical strategy for currently released products.\nDrive continuous improvement programs focused on:Productivity\nReliability\nAvailability\nCost reduction\nServiceability\nYield improvement\nProcess performance\n\nLead root-cause investigations for critical field issues and customer escalations.\nDevelop corrective and preventive actions for recurring product issues.\nIdentify opportunities for hardware, software, and process upgrades across the installed base.\nCross functional interfaces: Product Management, Process, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, Service, Quality, Supply Chain, EHS/Laser Safety, and Customer Engineering.\nSupplier Management & Strategic Partnerships\nServe as executive technical interface to laser manufacturers, optical suppliers, coating vendors, and metrology suppliers.\nDevelop supplier technology roadmaps aligned with future product requirements.\nEvaluate supplier capabilities, technology readiness, and risk.\nLead technical supplier reviews and joint development programs.\nDrive component performance, reliability, and cost improvements through supplier engagement.\nSupport supplier qualification and sourcing decisions.\nEstablish strategic partnerships that provide sustainable competitive advantage.\nExternal Engineering Partner Leadership\nDirect and oversee third-party engineering services companies engaged in optical, laser, mechanical, controls, and systems development activities.\nDevelop statements of work, technical requirements, deliverables, and acceptance criteria.\nLead technical reviews including:Requirements reviews\nConcept reviews\nPreliminary Design Reviews (PDR)\nCritical Design Reviews (CDR)\nQualification reviews\n\nEnsure external developments meet performance, schedule, quality, and cost objectives.\nCoordinate activities across internal and external engineering teams.\nProvide technical leadership while maintaining accountability for final system performance.\nLaser & Optical Systems Leadership\nLead development and optimization of:\nFiber laser systems\nDiode laser systems\nBeam delivery systems\nBeam shaping optics\nDiffractive optical elements (DOE)\nRefractive optical elements (ROE)\nHomogenizers\nPolarization control systems\nOptical coatings\nStray-light mitigation systems\nIn-situ optical diagnostics\nWafer temperature measurement systems\nCustomer & Business Engagement\nEngage directly with strategic semiconductor customers to understand future device and process requirements.\nSupport executive customer reviews and technical roadmap discussions.\nTranslate customer requirements into product and technology development plans.\nProvide technical leadership during customer escalations and critical issue resolution.\nInnovation & Intellectual Property\nGenerate and champion invention disclosures and patent filings.\nBuild strategic intellectual property portfolios in laser processing, optics, metrology, and thermal processing.\nLead technical due diligence activities related to acquisitions, partnerships, and technology evaluations.\nPublish and present technical work internally and externally when appropriate.\nOrganizational Leadership\nLeads direct report in a matrix team and managing external partners while providing technical leadership\nMentor physicists, optical engineers, systems engineers, and technologists.\nEstablish technical standards and best practices throughout the organization.\nInfluence technical direction of laser annealing roadmap.\nAct as a recognized company expert in laser annealing and optical systems.\nCritical Success Metrics\nNew product introduction success\nInstalled-base reliability improvements\nCustomer satisfaction and escalation closure\nLaser and optics cost-reduction achievements\nSupplier technology and quality performance\nPatent generation and innovation impact\nThird-party development effectiveness\nTechnology roadmap development and execution\nTeam technical capability growth\nReliability/availability improvement\nQualification cycle-time reduction\nSupplier quality improvement\nPatents/patent disclosures\nPreferred Experience\nLaser annealing, laser spike annealing, or millisecond annealing systems\nHigh-power lasers (kW-class)\nAdvanced optical system design for high power lasers\nSemiconductor capital equipment\nLaser safety systems\nWafer temperature metrology and pyrometry\nStrategic supplier management\nManagement of outsourced engineering development team\nAdditional Information\nTime Type:\nFull timeEmployee Type:\nAssignee / RegularTravel:\nYes, 10% of the TimeRelocation Eligible:\nYesThe 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.\nFor 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.\nApplied 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.\nIn 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 ,or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. 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