Director of Applications Development

Oxford Instruments Plc • Santa Barbara, CA

1d • $151,000 - $191,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Applications Development will drive the creation of high‑value AFM applications that strengthen our competitive position, expand market adoption, and support long‑term business growth. As a key member of the AFM senior leadership team, this role combines deep technical expertise with strategic vision to guide our applications roadmap and deliver measurable commercial impact.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Physics, Materials Science or a related field
• 10+ years of experience across a broad range of AFM applications.
• 5+ years of experience leading projects from concept to production.
• 3+ years managing or leading a scientific team.
• Must have a demonstrated record of scientific publications or equivalent scientific contributions.
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated ability to create AFM applications that influence purchasing decisions and support commercial success.
• Proven experience collaborating with senior leadership on strategic initiatives.
• Strong track record of leading a team including mentoring and developing technical talent.
• Excellent project leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong problem‑solving abilities and creative thinking.
• Effective prioritization, time management, and a results‑driven approach.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and process optimization.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing AFM applications for the semiconductor industry.

Responsibilities

• Develop AFM applications that support revenue growth, market expansion, and differentiation.
• As part of the senior leadership team, provide strategic guidance on product and application direction.
• Develop and deliver VoC that translates customer needs/pain points and market trends into applications that enhance product value and accelerate sales.
• Collaborate with R&D, Product Management, Engineering, and Sales/Marketing to align applications with customer priorities.
• Contribute to global business goals through collaborative and data‑driven input.
• Lead the product science team in designing, validating, and launching advanced AFM applications.
• Maintain and grow a strong applications portfolio for existing and emerging markets.
• Drive innovation by introducing new techniques, workflows, and solutions to enhance our technology.
• Oversee creation of clear, high‑quality documentation that supports customer success and sales enablement.
• Provide technical and strategic leadership to a scientific team.
• Mentor and develop team members and build succession strategies that ensure sustained scientific team capabilities.
• Foster a high-performance culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Support the regional applications team with best practices, test methodologies, and troubleshooting guidance.
• Identify common opportunities, challenges, and themes across territories to inform future applications.
• Engage with strategic customers, leveraging insights to shape future applications that drive business growth.
• Manage applications development projects from concept through deployment.
• Oversee budgets, timelines, and resources to maximize efficiency and impact.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and corporate standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Generous benefit packages - We offer our employees competitive health insurance options, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans.
• Our 401k program has options for saving both pre- and post-tax dollars for retirement.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) Work-life balance is a key part of our company culture here at OI, and we know that our employees do their best work when they can take the time they need to rest and recharge. Employees start with 4 weeks of PTO, which is accrued each pay period.
• Holidays - We recognize 12 holidays this year
• In addition to all the standard PTO options, Oxford Instruments proudly offers a generous and progressive paid family leave policy.
• Professional Development - Oxford Instruments supports you and your professional development with $5,250 available in annual tuition reimbursement after 6 months of service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree