Technical Project/Program Management V

Applied Materials•Santa Clara, CA

1d•$154,000 - $212,000

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. The Photonics Platforms group (PPB) is a fast‑growing, startup‑style organization within Applied Materials pioneering nano‑photonic technologies to power next‑generation Augmented Reality devices. We are now in a hyper-growth phase with the launch of our manufacturing fab and ever more intense innovation. We are seeking a Technical Program Management (TPM) Lead to head our TPM function and lead a team of three TPMs. This senior leader will define and scale program execution across a portfolio of cutting‑edge R&D and device commercialization programs. The TPM Lead will operate in a highly ambiguous, extremely fast‑moving environment and build the systems, processes, and organizational muscles required for PPB to deliver a first‑of‑its‑kind AR product at scale. This role requires a hybrid of strategic leadership, cross‑functional orchestration, people management, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate has deep experience taking components from prototype to mass production, excels at rapid scaling, and thrives in greenfield environments where many processes must be built from scratch.

Requirements

10–15+ years of Technical Program Management experience in fast‑paced hardware organizations.
Semiconductor industry background is required, including experience with wafer‑level processes, device fabrication, or semiconductor manufacturing flows.
Demonstrated success delivering complex hardware programs from prototype through production readiness.
Master’s degree in Engineering or related technical field; advanced degree preferred.
Demonstrated ability to lead programs with significant technical, organizational, and schedule risk.
Strong systems thinking with the ability to connect device physics, process development, manufacturing constraints, and business priorities.
Proven ability to operate independently as a senior IC and drive outcomes without formal authority.
Excellent communication skills; able to influence senior technical leaders and executives through data and structured reasoning.
High tolerance for ambiguity and rapid change; comfortable building clarity where none exists.

Responsibilities

Lead end‑to‑end execution of complex technical programs spanning R&D, systems engineering, device development, and manufacturing readiness.
Translate ambiguous technical and business objectives into clear program plans, milestones, dependencies, and success criteria.
Drive programs through key development phases (EVT/DVT/PVT), ensuring technical, schedule, and risk readiness at each gate.
Identify, track, and mitigate technical and execution risks; surface issues early and drive resolution across cross‑functional teams.
Coordinate execution across optics, electronics, systems, process engineering, manufacturing, supplier engineering, and operations.
Partner with Product, Finance, and Operations to align scope, timelines, and resource plans.
Provide clear, concise program status, trade‑offs, and recommendations to senior technical and executive leadership.
Operate effectively in a fast‑paced, high‑ambiguity startup environment where processes are evolving and execution rigor is critical.
Execute within program management frameworks developed by the PMO, ensuring strong adoption and execution discipline at the program level.
Provide feedback from live program execution to improve scalability, clarity, and effectiveness of program governance.
Balance rigor and agility, applying the right level of process based on program maturity and technical risk.