2026 NCG - Process Technician - Undergrad (Santa Clara, CA)
Applied Materials · Santa Clara, CA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Process
- Experience asked
- 1+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level process role at Applied Materials (industrial) in Santa Clara, CA. A high school or technical diploma, military technical training, or trade certification.
- They ask for
- 1+ years
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Technician roles in California: typical posted base $56k–$78k.
Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 102 manufacturing technician openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 16 other live process postings in California.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (1+ vs 3+)
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Team leadership 53%
- 5S 41%
- Tooling 35%
- TPM 24%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Process team at Applied Materials
We found 7 people at this company and state: 5 in this kind of role, 2 leaders. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
Write to John → (free) - 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Applied Materials in Santa Clara
40 other open roles at this site · 7 people we found in process roles at Applied Materials.
- Process Engineer · Process
- Process Engineer III · Process · Senior
- Mgr, Process Engineer · Process
- Process Engineer ||| - Plasma · Process
- Industrial Engineer New College Grad- Master's (Santa Clara, CA) · Industrial
- Process Technician · Process · Technician
Full description from Applied MaterialsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Prepare wafers for experimentation to include cleaning and preparation of reactors
- ◆Prepare cross-section samples for scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis
- ◆Operate reactors to perform thin film processes, under supervision.
- ◆Operate scanning electron microscope for cross-section and top-view, critical dimension (CD), or energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis and imaging
- ◆Identify some patterns of interest in imaging
- ◆Record process conditions and experimental observations
- ◆Understand basic scanning electron microscope (SEM) principles
- ◆Responsible for single technology products
- ◆Perform scanning electron microscope (SEM) system software alignment functions
- ◆Evaluate wafers and thin films
- ◆Perform routine maintenance procedures including flash and plasma clean
- ◆Effectively operate laboratory process equipment and instrumentation
Qualifications
- ✓A high school or technical diploma, military technical training, or trade certification
- ✓Up to 1 year of related experience
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓1–2 years of work experience in a related field
Physical
Requirements
This position often requires extensive walking, standing for extended periods of time, working in tight spaces, bending, squatting, twisting, kneeling, reaching, climbing stairs and ladders, working at height, lifting up to 35 lbs., the ability to distinguish between colors and working with electricity, the ability to work in an environment with noise that may be difficult for some individuals with sensitivity to noise, and the use of hand and power tools. Additionally, because this position generally involves working in a clean room, it requires the use of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment such as coveralls, hoods, booties, safety glasses, gloves, respirators, chemical aprons, and face shields.
Additional Information
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Who We Are
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.
What We Offer
Salary
$22.00 - $30.25
Location
Santa Clara,CA
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 .
As a Process Technician, you'll be responsible for preparing wafers for experimentation, operating reactors to perform thin film processes, and using scanning electron microscopes for analyses and imaging. You'll record process conditions and experimental observations, perform routine maintenance procedures, and evaluate wafers and thin films. Process Technicians are tasked with preparing cross-section samples for analysis, identifying patterns of interest in imaging, and operating laboratory process equipment and instrumentation. Your expertise in troubleshooting, equipment maintenance, and process optimization drives higher levels of productivity, quality, and efficiency in our manufacturing processes.
Role
Time Type
Full time
Employee Type
New College Grad
Travel
Yes, 10% of the Time
Relocation Eligible
Yes
The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.
In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.