SEM Process Technician III (T3)
Applied Materials · Santa Clara, CA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Process
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level process role at Applied Materials (industrial) in Santa Clara, CA. 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.
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Technician roles in California: typical posted base $59k–$78k.
Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 128 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
- Not stated
Similar roles usually ask 2+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Team leadership 59%
- 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
47 other open roles at this site · 7 people we found in process roles at Applied Materials.
- Process Engineer · Process
- Process Engineer III – (E3) · Process · Senior
- Senior Process Engineer · Process · Senior
- Product Quality & Reliability Engineer IV - (E4) · Quality · Senior
- Engineering Technician · Manufacturing
- Process Engineer IV · Process · Senior
Full description from Applied MaterialsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Key Responsibilities
Prepares wafers for experimentation to include cleaning. Loads wafers, prepares reactor for experimentation and cleans reactors. Evaluates performance of process system.
- ◆Prepare cross section samples for scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis and help / guide requestor to optimize sample prep procedure and conditions, identify cutting location based on pattern instructions.
Operates reactor to perform thin film process, under limited supervision.
- ◆Operate scanning electron microscope (SEM) for cross section and top view or critical dimension (CD) or energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis / imaging pending on job assignment, identify all of patterns of interest, understand image quality requirement and sample/beam interaction to determine optimized condition.
Records process conditions and experimental observations.
- ◆Understand basic scanning electron microscope (SEM) principle.
Responsible for multiple technology products.
- ◆Perform scanning electron microscope (SEM) system software alignment functions. Perform routine maintenance procedures, flash, plasma clean etc.
Evaluates wafers and thin films. Prepares graphs and tables summarizing results.
- ◆Interface with requestors, understand their detail requirement, and communicate on results; help lab on monitoring wafer in process (WIP) and maintaining throughput.
Checks performance of process system. Orders equipment and supplies, and coordinates with vendors and purchasing.
- ◆Perform routine shut down procedure. Identify problem put tool down and call for service.
Coordinates instrument repair and maintenance. Coordinates with engineering on wafer evaluations.
Sets up equipment for experiments. Uses quantitative wafer evaluation and process instrumentation knowledge.
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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
$29.00 - $39.60
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.
Functional Knowledge
- •Has developed proficiency in a range of analytical processes or procedures to carry out assigned tasks
Business Expertise
- •Has a good understanding of how the team integrates with others to achieve objectives
Leadership
- •May provide informal guidance and support to more junior team members
Problem Solving
- •Provides solutions to problems in situations that are atypical or infrequently occurring based on existing precedents or procedures
Impact
- •Impacts the quality of own work and its contribution to the team
Interpersonal Skills
- •Uses communication skills to regularly exchange information
Additional Information
Time Type
Full time
Employee Type
Assignee / Regular
Travel
No
Relocation Eligible
No
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.