Mechanical Engineer

Applied Materials • Santa Clara, CA

13d • Onsite

About The Position

As a Mechanical Engineer, you’ll leverage your strong foundation in physics, mathematics, and materials science to process and resolve mechanical problems, design and implement custom mechanical tooling and associated processes, and enable the handling, assembly, and disassembly of parts, components, sub-assemblies, and final assemblies throughout the product life cycle. You'll be responsible for designing, developing, and modifying mechanical engineering layouts, schematics, and specifications. You will oversee manufacturing and installation processes, ensuring adherence to industry standards and regulations-- and you'll coordinate the procurement and assembly of mechanical components and equipment for design projects, identifying sources of critical parts and subsystems to resolve technical issues.

Principal Engineer / DEA – Vaporizers, Filters, Purifiers & Pressure Gauges (E5)

Role Responsibilities
Serve as the Design Engineering Authority (DEA) for Vaporizers, Filters, Purifiers, Pressure Gauges, and related liquid delivery technologies, providing technical ownership across the full product lifecycle. Define and drive 3–5 year technology roadmaps, identifying future business requirements, technology gaps, obsolescence risks, supplier capability gaps, and next-generation solutions required across multiple Business Units. Lead supplier development, qualification, dual-source, and product improvement initiatives to improve reliability, performance, supply continuity, manufacturability, and total cost of ownership. Develop and deploy system-level solutions for liquid and vapor delivery challenges, moving beyond component qualification to address overall process performance, reliability, and customer value. Drive advancement of next-generation liquid flow and vapor delivery technologies, including closed-loop control strategies, intelligent sensing, advanced diagnostics, and emerging supplier technologies. Lead cross-functional programs involving Product Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Business Units to resolve complex technical and business challenges. Serve as the primary technical interface with suppliers and Business Unit stakeholders, influencing technology direction, qualification priorities, and strategic investment decisions. Lead root cause investigations for critical field, supplier, manufacturing, and qualification issues using data-driven methodologies and verified corrective actions. Define qualification requirements, test methodologies, acceptance criteria, reliability standards, and technical specifications for assigned commodities. Drive supplier accountability and continuous improvement through technical reviews, performance assessments, corrective actions, and capability development plans. Lead standardization, interchangeability, risk reduction, and cost optimization initiatives across multiple product platforms and Business Units. Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across the organization while influencing decisions through technical expertise, business acumen, and strategic thinking.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in semiconductor equipment, fluid delivery systems, gas delivery systems, liquid delivery systems, precision mechanical products, or related high-technology industries.
• Demonstrated expertise in supplier development, component engineering, qualification methodologies, failure analysis, reliability engineering, and product lifecycle management.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor equipment architecture, high-purity fluid systems, contamination control, materials compatibility, and supplier quality management.
• Proven ability to define technology strategies, influence roadmaps, and drive execution across multiple organizations and stakeholders.
• Experience leading complex cross-functional programs spanning engineering, quality, operations, supply chain, and external suppliers.
• Strong analytical and systems-thinking skills with the ability to evaluate technical, business, quality, and supply chain tradeoffs.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence senior leadership, Business Units, suppliers, and customers.
• Bachelor’s degree
• 10-15 years of experience
• Deep technical expertise in your field and deep knowledge of the Applied Materials product life cycle, as well as in-depth knowledge of other disciplines within your function
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to explain difficult or sensitive information and to build consensus

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Direct experience with vaporizers, liquid flow controllers, filters, purifiers, pressure gauges, regulators, valves, and liquid chemical delivery systems.
• Experience leading supplier technology roadmaps and strategic supplier relationships.
• Knowledge of closed-loop control systems, advanced sensing technologies, diagnostics, and process control methodologies.
• Proven record of delivering business impact through supplier development, technology innovation, cost reduction, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Experience establishing system-level solutions to improve reliability, contamination performance, and total cost of ownership.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Design Engineering Authority (DEA) for Vaporizers, Filters, Purifiers, Pressure Gauges, and related liquid delivery technologies, providing technical ownership across the full product lifecycle.
• Define and drive 3–5 year technology roadmaps, identifying future business requirements, technology gaps, obsolescence risks, supplier capability gaps, and next-generation solutions required across multiple Business Units.
• Lead supplier development, qualification, dual-source, and product improvement initiatives to improve reliability, performance, supply continuity, manufacturability, and total cost of ownership.
• Develop and deploy system-level solutions for liquid and vapor delivery challenges, moving beyond component qualification to address overall process performance, reliability, and customer value.
• Drive advancement of next-generation liquid flow and vapor delivery technologies, including closed-loop control strategies, intelligent sensing, advanced diagnostics, and emerging supplier technologies.
• Lead cross-functional programs involving Product Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, Quality, Procurement, and Business Units to resolve complex technical and business challenges.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with suppliers and Business Unit stakeholders, influencing technology direction, qualification priorities, and strategic investment decisions.
• Lead root cause investigations for critical field, supplier, manufacturing, and qualification issues using data-driven methodologies and verified corrective actions.
• Define qualification requirements, test methodologies, acceptance criteria, reliability standards, and technical specifications for assigned commodities.
• Drive supplier accountability and continuous improvement through technical reviews, performance assessments, corrective actions, and capability development plans.
• Lead standardization, interchangeability, risk reduction, and cost optimization initiatives across multiple product platforms and Business Units.
• Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership across the organization while influencing decisions through technical expertise, business acumen, and strategic thinking.

Benefits

• supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career
• comprehensive benefits package
• participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal