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Director of Quality – Photonics Manufacturing

Applied Materials · Santa Clara, CA

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Level
Director+
Team
Quality
Base pay
$172k–$237k
Experience asked
10+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
7 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A director-level quality role at Applied Materials (industrial) in Santa Clara, CA. Develop, implement, and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS), including ISO 9001 compliance.

They ask for
10+ years
Tools it names
Root cause, SPC, FMEA, CAPA, ISO 9001, Supplier quality
Base pay
$172k–$237k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Quality Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $101k–$149k. This one lists $172k–$237k.

Median of the low and high ends of 84 live postings that list pay, out of 179 quality engineer 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 178 other live quality postings in California.

Base pay
About 64% above similar roles

Typical $100k–$149k, from 82 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (10+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Root cause 78%
  • ✓ FMEA 56%
  • ✓ Supplier quality 49%
  • AS9100 44%
  • Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 44%
  • ✓ ISO 9001 40%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 10+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Training program

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Quality team at Applied Materials

    We found 3 people at this company and state: 3 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See them ↓

  2. 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.

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  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • Which standards drive the work here: ISO 13485, IATF 16949, AS9100?
    • How much of the job is customer complaints versus prevention?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 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. 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

47 other open roles at this site · 3 people we found in quality roles at Applied Materials.

All 48 roles at Applied Materials →
Full description from Applied MaterialsAs posted on their careers site.Show

Key Responsibilities

  • ◆Develop, implement, and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS), including ISO 9001 compliance.
  • ◆Lead internal, customer, supplier, and certification audits, ensuring ongoing audit readiness.
  • ◆Drive customer quality programs utilizing CAPA, 8D, SPC, FMEA, root-cause analysis, and corrective action methodologies.
  • ◆Establish supplier quality processes, including Supplier Site Quality Assessments (SSQA) and supplier development programs.
  • ◆Partner with Manufacturing, Process Engineering, Integration Engineering, and Operations teams to improve yield, reliability, and overall product quality.
  • ◆Identify systemic quality issues and drive corrective and preventive actions across the organization.
  • ◆Lead quality strategy, governance, metrics, and reporting across multiple sites and global operations.
  • ◆Build, develop, and mentor high-performing quality teams while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
  • ◆Serve as the primary quality interface for customers, suppliers, and executive leadership.

Required Qualifications

  • ✓10+ years of experience in semiconductor or photonics manufacturing environments, with experience spanning Process Engineering, Integration Engineering, Manufacturing, and/or Quality Systems.
  • ✓Proven track record of establishing and scaling Quality Management Systems in manufacturing organizations.
  • ✓Deep expertise in ISO 9001 implementation and quality compliance programs.
  • ✓Strong experience with:
  • ✓CAPA, 8D, SPC, and FMEA
  • ✓Customer Quality Management
  • ✓Supplier Quality and SSQA
  • ✓Audit leadership and compliance governance
  • ✓Experience leading quality organizations across multiple sites, regions, or global operations.
  • ✓Demonstrated success in developing quality strategies and driving cross-functional quality improvements.

Preferred Qualifications

  • ✓Experience in a photonics fab or advanced semiconductor manufacturing environment.
  • ✓Knowledge of fab quality systems, customer quality audits, and ISO certification audits.
  • ✓Familiarity with metrology and analytical techniques such as ICP-MS and related manufacturing process controls.

Additional Information

Show full description ↓

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.

What We Offer

Salary

$172,000.00 - $237,000.00

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 .

Overview

We are looking for a Director of Quality to lead the development and execution of the Quality Management System (QMS) for a growing photonics manufacturing organization. This leader will oversee customer, supplier, manufacturing, and compliance quality programs while partnering across global operations to drive product quality, audit readiness, and continuous improvement.

Time Type

Full time

Employee Type

Assignee / Regular

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.

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