Quality Welding Engineer (E5)

Applied Materials • Austin, TX

12d • $140,000 - $192,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials science and engineering solutions, crucial for new semiconductor chips and advanced displays. The equipment we create and service is essential for advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. We are seeking an experienced Quality Welding Engineer to support the fabrication of ultra-high-purity (UHP) gas delivery systems for semiconductor process equipment, including gas panel assemblies and chamber weldments. This role owns weld quality across the fabrication lifecycle—procedure qualification, welder certification, in-process inspection, and nonconformance resolution—within a controlled cleanroom manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate combines deep orbital welding and stainless steel metallurgy expertise with fluency in the SEMI standards that govern UHP gas system integrity.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Welding Engineering, Materials/Metallurgical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience in lieu of degree.
• 5+ years of welding engineering or weld quality experience in semiconductor capital equipment, UHP gas systems, or a comparably regulated high-purity fabrication environment.
• Standards expertise: Demonstrated working knowledge of SEMI F78, F81, E49.8, and F70
• Direct hands-on or oversight experience with orbital GTAW welding equipment from Arc Machines Inc. (AMI), Polysoude, Orbitalum, or comparable OEMs, including weld schedule development and machine qualification.
• Strong understanding of 316L stainless steel metallurgy — including electropolishing, sulfur content effects on weld penetration, ID surface finish, and passivation — as applied to UHP gas line and chamber weldment fabrication.
• Experience working within a certified cleanroom manufacturing environment (Class 100/ISO 5 or better), including contamination control protocols specific to gas panel and gas box assembly.
• Familiarity with WPS/PQR development and welder performance qualification under AWS D1.2, ASME Section IX, or equivalent codes, adapted for orbital tube welding.
• Working knowledge of VCR/VCO/face-seal fitting cleanliness requirements and UHP component handling practices.
• Strong root-cause and corrective-action (8D, fishbone, 5-Why) problem-solving skills applied to weld defects and process escapes.

Nice To Haves

• AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or equivalent certification.
• Prior experience supporting supplier qualification or supplier weld audits for semiconductor equipment OEMs or their supply base.
• Experience with gas panel engineering documentation, MFC/component-level FMEA, or ANSI/ASQ Z1.4 sampling plans in a quality context.
• Familiarity with additional SEMI standards relevant to UHP gas delivery (e.g., F19, F57) and general semiconductor equipment quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop, qualify, and maintain welding procedure specifications (WPS) and procedure qualification records (PQR) for orbital GTAW of UHP gas lines, gas panels, and chamber weldments.
• Establish and audit welder/operator qualification programs for orbital and manual welding personnel working on UHP systems.
• Serve as the site subject matter expert on applicable SEMI standards, including F78 (particle contamination / cleanroom compatibility), F81 (surface roughness for UHP components), E49.8 (orbital weld documentation and acceptance), F70 (UHP gas distribution system components), and related SEMI specifications governing gas delivery hardware.
• Own weld quality within cleanroom fabrication cells: gowning discipline, purge gas control, ID/OD surface finish verification, and contamination prevention throughout the weld process.
• Perform and oversee visual, boroscopic, and dimensional weld inspection against acceptance criteria; drive root-cause analysis and corrective action for weld discrepancies and nonconformances.
• Provide metallurgical oversight of 316L stainless steel (and related UHP alloys) including heat-affected-zone control, oxide/heat-tint discoloration limits, interpass temperature, and purge gas (Ar/back-purge) requirements to preserve corrosion resistance and surface passivation.
• Specify, evaluate, and maintain orbital welding equipment — power supplies, weld heads, and tube-prep tooling — from manufacturers such as Arc Machines Inc. (AMI), Polysoude, Orbitalum, and equivalent, including PQ/programming, preventive maintenance, and end-of-life qualification.
• Partner with manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, and supply chain teams to qualify internal and supplier weld sources against consistent acceptance standards.
• Support root-cause investigations and 8D/CAPA activities for weld-related field or customer escrow issues.
• Maintain and audit weld travelers, certification records, and traceability documentation to support customer and internal quality audits.

Benefits

• Supportive work culture that encourages learning, development, and career growth.
• Programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for employees at work, at home, or wherever they may go.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Eligibility for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

What This Job Offers

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