Senior Investment Associate

Applied Materials•Santa Clara, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Applied Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT), the world’s leading materials engineering company for the semiconductor and display industries. We deploy up to $100M annually, are stage-agnostic, and invest globally in deep tech founders building the next generation of semiconductors, advanced materials, photonics, AI/ML hardware, Physical AI, AI for Science and Materials, energy-efficient computing, and display technologies. We operate with a dual mandate: deliver top-quartile financial returns and create strategic value for Applied Materials’ business units, R&D organizations, and global customers. We take board seats, write meaningful checks, and help our companies navigate the path from lab to fab. We are building “CVC 2.0” — a CVC that competes on conviction, technical depth, and operating leverage, not just capital.

Requirements

MBA from a top program AND/OR MS/PhD in a relevant STEM field (engineering, materials science, physics, chemistry, CS, applied math, ML, or equivalent).
Strong STEM undergrad highly preferred, even for MBA-only candidates.
4–8+ years post-graduate experience spanning at least two — ideally all three — of: (1) venture capital or growth equity, (2) strategy / management consulting (deep tech, tech, or semis practice), and (3) technology product development at a deep tech, semis, hardware, materials, or AI company.
Deep tech AND AI experience is non-negotiable.
Hands-on exposure to one or more of: semiconductors, advanced packaging, advanced materials, photonics, AI/ML hardware, Physical AI, AI for Science / Materials, energy-efficient computing, or displays.
You have invested in, advised, or built in these spaces — not just read about them.
Track record of owning IC memos, landscapes, technical diligence, financial models, and product strategy end-to-end — not just supporting them.

Nice To Haves

Direct VC track record (named on closed deals)
Patents, publications, or shipped products
Multilingual or international working experience in key deep tech ecosystems.

Responsibilities

Source & shape theses. Build proprietary deal flow across our priority sectors; pressure-test investment theses; cultivate founders, labs, accelerators, and co-investors across the US, Europe, and Asia (Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Israel, India).
Run diligence and execute deals. Lead end-to-end diligence (technology, market, team, IP, manufacturability, unit economics, customer validation); build models, cap tables, and return scenarios; coordinate technical diligence with AMAT R&D and BUs; draft IC memos that lead with a point of view.
Support the portfolio. Drive KPI tracking, board prep, follow-on strategy, and customer introductions; tap AMAT’s fab infrastructure, materials expertise, and global accounts; take board observer seats as you grow.
Build the firm and the ecosystem. Represent Applied Ventures at industry, university, and government forums; contribute to LP / co-investor reporting, fund strategy, and CVC 2.0 partnerships (e.g., ITRI/ITIC in Taiwan, KVIC in Korea).