Physicist / Scientist V

Applied Materials

Actively hiring
Santa Clara,Ca, US Posted 45 days ago $176,000–$242,000 / year
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At a glance

AI generated

TL;DR

This senior physicist role within a semiconductor equipment company in Santa Clara, California, involves leading engineering projects and conducting advanced research on plasma vapor deposition (PVD) technologies. The position requires defining experiments to isolate physical mechanisms such as RF/DC plasma behavior and electromagnetic field effects, determining critical data for distinguishing between various physical drivers, and providing physics-based guidance during design reviews. Responsibilities include influencing chamber architecture by identifying performance constraints, troubleshooting complex issues, and leading root-cause analysis of coupled domain behaviors. The role also entails communicating complex concepts to stakeholders, contributing to product risk management, and initiating innovation projects that extend system performance limits. Key skills needed are expertise in low-temperature plasma physics, electromagnetics, sputtering physics, and transport phenomena, along with experience in feasibility studies and collaboration with universities and consortia on applied plasma topics.

Skills

Python MATLAB ANSYS COMSOL Plasma Physics Electromagnetics Sputtering Physics Transport Phenomena PVD Systems Complex System Design Root Cause Analysis Physics-Based Modeling Technical Leadership Innovation Management Vendor Management Feasibility Studies Technical Presentations System-Level Thinking Mentorship

What you'll do

  • Lead and execute engineering projects for new technology development.
  • Define experiments to isolate physical mechanisms in PVD chambers.
  • Determine data requirements to distinguish between plasma-driven and other effects.
  • Oversee complex system project designs and qualification results.
  • Provide physics-based guidance during chamber design reviews.
  • Diagnose non-intuitive behaviors in complex, coupled chamber environments.

What we're looking for

  • Extensive experience in plasma physics and electromagnetics for PVD systems.
  • Proven track record leading complex engineering projects and system designs.
  • Expertise in diagnosing and solving multi-domain physical problems in chamber environments.
  • Strong ability to communicate advanced physics concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Experience mentoring less experienced physicists and engineers in first-principles thinking.
  • Influences product architecture by identifying physics-imposed constraints and trade-offs.

Market check

Salary context

This $176,000–$242,000 range sits above 78% of similar postings on FindRole.

Peer median band

$112,800–$223,250

Median floor and ceiling across peers.

Typical midpoint (25–75%)

$135,000–$201,700

Middle half of comparable postings.

Based on 240 comparable postings.

* 240 is the maximum number of comparable postings sampled.

Employer

About Applied Materials

Applied Materials is the world''s largest supplier of equipment, services, and software for the semiconductor and display industries, enabling the production of chips and advanced displays. Industry: Semiconductor Equipment

Applied Materials currently has 65 open roles on FindRole.

Listed pay typically runs $141,000–$193,500 across 65 roles with salary data.

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