Technical Project/Program Management Director

Applied Materials • Santa Clara, CA

1d • $172,000 - $237,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Technical Program Manager (TPM) Director will serve as the central orchestrator of large, complex module programs spanning Logic and Memory business units and key strategic customers (e.g., Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron, Intel). This role requires a unique blend of technical depth in semiconductor process technologies, business acumen, and executive-level communication to drive program execution from concept through high-volume manufacturing enablement. The TPM will be the binding force across engineering, business development, CTO, and customer organizations — ensuring alignment, speed, and accountability at every stage.

Requirements

• BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related semiconductor discipline.
• 12+ years in the semiconductor industry with at least 5 years in technical program management, business management, or engineering leadership roles.
• Strong working knowledge of advanced semiconductor process technologies — including but not limited to DRAM, Logic/Foundry nodes, BEOL integration, FEOL device engineering, etch, deposition, and module integration.
• Proven track record of managing programs directly with major semiconductor manufacturers (IDMs, foundries, memory makers) at the VP/Director level and above.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large, multi-workstream programs with rigorous schedule, budget, and risk management discipline.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex technical topics into clear executive summaries and customer-ready presentations.

Nice To Haves

• PhD preferred.
• Experience in semiconductor equipment or materials companies (e.g., Applied Materials, Lam Research, Tokyo Electron).
• Familiarity with Product Development Process (PDP) frameworks, phase-gate methodologies, and program management tools (e.g., Accolade/PDBoK).
• Bilingual (English/Korean, English/Mandarin, or English/Japanese) strongly preferred given the global customer base.
• Experience leading cost reduction, yield improvement, or technology roadmap alignment programs with customers.
• Track record of managing programs that span multiple technology nodes or product generations simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management for strategic customer engagements, including Technology Review Meetings (TRMs), yield improvement task forces, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Own program scoping, planning, risk management, and execution to plan of record.
• Prepare and present executive-level materials (slide decks, agendas, executive summaries) for meetings with customer VPs, CTOs, EVPs, and internal senior leadership.
• Represent Applied Materials with credibility and technical authority.
• Drive alignment across multiple BUs (e.g., MDP, Etch, CTO, Logic Modules, Memory Modules), integrated development teams (IDTs), and cross-functional teams (CFTs) through structured weekly and monthly review cadences.
• Coordinate program execution across US headquarters and international sites (Korea, Japan, Taiwan), managing across time zones, cultural contexts, and customer organizational structures.
• Proactively identify, assess, and retire program risks.
• Lead trade-off assessments and critical-path analysis to drive timely decision-making and escalation.
• Maintain disciplined program cadence with detailed meeting minutes, action item tracking, milestone reporting, and weekly/monthly executive status updates.
• Ensure transparency on program performance, risks, gaps, and help needed.
• Partner with business development and strategy teams to shape new module engagement opportunities, translate customer requirements into actionable program plans, and align demo/development priorities with business objectives.

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.
• Potential eligibility for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program.
• Relocation assistance.

What This Job Offers

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