Product Line Manager

Applied Materials • Santa Clara, CA

1d • Onsite

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. They design, build, and service cutting-edge equipment that helps customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips, which are the brains of devices used daily. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables exciting technologies like AI and IoT. This role is for an experienced Product Line Management professional to lead obsolescence management, product life cycle management (PLCM), and Product Change Management (PCM) for the CMP Service Business Unit. This position is critical to sustaining product availability, extending tool lifetime, and enabling revenue growth through structured Tool Lifetime Management programs. The successful candidate will work cross-functionally with Engineering, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Global Product Support, and Suppliers to ensure effective execution of product changes, obsolescence mitigation, and cost-effective lifecycle strategies.

Requirements

• Direct experience with CMP tools, subsystems, or service environments.
• Strong understanding of semiconductor capital equipment lifecycle, installed base support, and customer fabs.
• Experience with obsolescence challenges in long-lived semiconductor platforms.
• Proven ability to lead complex, cross functional programs from concept to execution.
• Strong business judgment with experience balancing customer impact, cost, risk, and revenue.
• Ability to prioritize portfolios and align budgets with strategic objectives.
• Strong analytical skills to assess obsolescence risk, lifecycle trends, cost models, support runway, Last Time Buy, and revenue opportunities.
• Experience leveraging data to drive roadmap decisions, supplier strategies, and investment prioritization.
• Comfortable working with BOM data, spare usage inventory data and supply chain analytics.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent technical discipline.
• Solid technical foundation enabling effective collaboration with hardware, controls, and software teams.
• Ability to understand design intent, qualification requirements, and field impact of product changes.
• 7 years + in semiconductor equipment experience.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with ECO/PCM systems and formal change control processes.
• Familiarity with controls, electrical assemblies, or electromechanical subsystems.
• Strong communication skills — able to influence across engineering, operations, supply chain, and leadership.
• Self-starter with a continuous improvement mindset and passion for long-term product stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end Product Change Management (PCM) for assigned CMP platforms, modules, and component families.
• ECO (Engineering Change Order) approval and control.
• Unreleased product approval and configuration control.
• PCN (Part Change Notification) implementation in partnership with Global Product Support.
• Provide guidance to Engineering and Business stakeholders on field service, customer, and operational impact of part and supplier changes.
• Lead manufacturing strategies across customers, fabs, and process nodes.
• Own obsolescence strategy including: Part obsolescence monitoring and risk assessment.
• Replacement strategies, alternate vendors, and end‑of‑life extensions.
• Last‑time‑buy evaluation and inventory risk mitigation.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Supplier Account Teams to ensure supplier compliance with EOL notifications.
• Drive component and common module roadmaps post Phase 5 of ePLC.
• Manage strategic vendor issues impacting product continuity and cost.
• Develop and execute a Tool Lifetime Management Program to extend installed base life and grow service revenue.
• Identify opportunities for upgrades, refreshes, and cost‑reduction initiatives aligned with customer lifecycle needs.
• Implement cost‑reduction roadmaps without compromising reliability or serviceability.
• Ensure accuracy of customer‑shipped configurations and BOMs.
• Lead Configuration Accuracy Review Meetings (CaRM).
• Oversee BOM accuracy and Non‑Standard Request (NSR) approvals.
• Use data driven analysis to support product decisions, prioritization, and business cases.
• Lead cross‑functional execution of programs to meet division goals for quality, cost, delivery, and revenue.
• Coordinate inter‑company alignment on product strategy, marketing strategy, pricing guidance, spare strategies, and roadmap proliferation.
• Ensure projects meet defined objectives, timelines, and product/process requirements.
• Support business continuity planning and crisis management at the division level.

Benefits

• Supportive work culture that encourages learning, development, and career growth.
• Programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Participation in a bonus program, as applicable.
• Stock award program, as applicable.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees