Mechanical Engineer

Applied Materials•Santa Clara, CA

About The Position

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. 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 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. We are seeking an Opto‑Mechanical Engineer to develop, prototype, and integrate precision opto‑mechanical subsystems for advanced imaging, illumination, and metrology platforms. This role requires strong hands‑on experience across optics and mechanical design, from early concept development through prototype assembly, alignment, qualification, and characterization. The successful candidate will work closely with optical, mechanical, and system engineers to deliver robust, compliant, and high‑performance solutions.

Requirements

BS in Mechanical, Optical, or related engineering field.
Strong understanding of optical systems and opto‑mechanical design principles.
7–10+ years in precision mechanical design, prototyping, and assembly.
Subject-matter expertise with CAD software (Solidworks, Inventor, NX), sheet metal design, material selection, manufacturing methods.
Ability to derive and specify tolerances, stability, drift, and environmental requirements.
Hands-on prototype assembly/integration/debug experience.
Experience performing optical alignment and metrology using standard laboratory tools.
Proficient in opto-mechanical, precision mechanical and mechanism design and familiar with high precision optical design implementations.
Familiarity with SEMI standards (e.g., SEMI S2, S8, F47 as applicable) and experience designing systems to meet compliance requirements.
Understanding of environmental test protocols, including vibration, shock, temperature, and thermal cycling.

Nice To Haves

Experience with designing/integrating precision motion control systems.
Experience developing products within the semiconductor equipment space.
Experience with structural and modal FEA (ANSYS, COMSOL, or similar) for evaluating stiffness, thermal behavior, and vibration modes of mechanical assemblies.
Experience with Teamcenter or similar PLM platforms.
Proficiency in data analysis (JMP/Excel).

Responsibilities

Develop opto-mechanical concepts for imaging, illumination, and metrology subsystems.
Design and prototype mounts, mechanisms, fixtures, and breadboards.
Assemble and debug prototype chambers and precision assemblies.
Perform optical/mechanical alignment, metrology, and characterization.
Derive component‑level requirements, including tolerances, stability, drift, and environmental sensitivity based on system‑level needs.
Design opto‑mechanical systems to meet SEMI standards and compliance requirements, and support documentation needed for qualification and audits.
Plan, support, and interpret environmental qualification testing, including vibration, shock, temperature, and thermal cycling tests, and incorporate results into design improvements.
Work hands-on with optics, mechanics, materials, and thermal/structural concerns.
Assist in establishing and qualifying vendors for mechanical sub-components.
Communicate mechanical/optical considerations to influence architectural decisions.