Process Engineer FIB/TEM Operations

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:

$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.  

About the Role

Applied Materials’ SPG Metrology organization supports a wide range of business units through FIB, TEM, SEM, and related analytical capabilities. As the scope and volume of work continue to grow, maintaining consistent quality while improving operational efficiency becomes increasingly important.

We are seeking a Process Engineer, FIB/TEM Operations to drive quality and operational improvement initiatives across our metrology organization.

The primary focus of this role is to drive quality improvement initiatives within the FIB/TEM quality framework, helping improve consistency, repeatability, and lab performance. You will also lead cross-functional projects focused on productivity, capacity, and operational efficiency through process improvement, automation, workflow optimization, and tool expansion.

You will work closely with engineers, technicians, managers, business unit customers, suppliers, and partner labs to identify opportunities, align stakeholders, and drive initiatives to successful implementation. This role succeeds through influence, alignment, and execution across multiple teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead quality improvement initiatives within the FIB/TEM quality framework to improve consistency, repeatability, and operational performance.

• Develop quality standards, acceptance criteria, metrics, and best practices for FIB/TEM operations.

• Analyze quality and operational data to identify improvement opportunities and drive corrective actions to closure.

• Partner with hardware and equipment teams and with equipment suppliers to improve tool capability, availability, calibration, and consistency.

• Lead or support projects focused on productivity, workflow optimization, automation, tool expansion, and overall operational effectiveness.

• Identify operational bottlenecks and drive initiatives that improve throughput, cycle time, capacity, and overall lab efficiency.

• Translate business unit requirements into practical quality standards and operational improvements.

• Coordinate cross-functional teams to align stakeholders and successfully execute improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• BS or higher degree in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or a related technical field.

• 3+ years of experience in semiconductor metrology, characterization, process engineering, quality engineering, failure analysis, or lab operations.

• Hands-on experience operating FIB and/or TEM/STEM in a laboratory or semiconductor environment.

• Experience driving quality improvements through metrics, root-cause analysis, corrective actions, or process standardization.

• Strong analytical, communication, and stakeholder-management skills.

• Ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and work effectively across multiple teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with both FIB sample preparation and TEM/STEM imaging.

• Experience supporting FIB/TEM lab operations or semiconductor manufacturing environments.

• Experience leading quality, operational, or process-improvement projects.

• Familiarity with SPC, MSA, DOE, Six Sigma, or similar quality methodologies.

• Experience with data analytics, automation, or digital transformation initiatives.

What We’re Looking For

• Technically credible in FIB and/or TEM, with the ability to engage effectively with experienced engineers and technicians.

• Collaborative and influential, with the ability to build agreement and move work forward across teams.

• Organized and execution-focused, with strong follow-through and attention to detail.

• Comfortable facilitating discussions, resolving ambiguity, and coordinating stakeholders with different priorities.

• Practical, data-driven problem solver with a continuous-improvement mindset.