Controls & Systems Engineering Manager / Technical Lead

Applied Materials · Benicia, CA

Apply on Applied Materials ↗

Level: Manager
Team: Controls
Base pay: $144k–$198k
Industry: Industrial
Posted: 11 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

A management controls role at Applied Materials (industrial) in Benicia, CA. , you will be responsible for.

Base pay: $144k–$198k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

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

Controls Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $124k–$179k. This one lists $144k–$198k.

Median of the low and high ends of 56 live postings that list pay, out of 109 controls 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 108 other live controls postings in California.

Base pay: About 13% above similar roles
Experience asked: Not stated

Skills these teams ask for most

Automation 66%
PLC 47%
Robotics 43%
Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 38%
Python 33%
Root cause 20%

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

Stands out: this posting asks for Team leadership, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with 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 Controls team at Applied Materials
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find 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.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- 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 Benicia

3 other open roles at this site.

NPI Manufacturing Engineer III (E3) · Manufacturing · Senior
Manufacturing/ Production Manager · Production · Manager
Manufacturing Technician I · Manufacturing · Technician

Full description from Applied MaterialsAs posted on their careers site.Show

In this role, you will be responsible for

◆Determining electrical components used in the products
◆Troubleshooting problems with electrical components and mentoring team members on how to do this
◆Synthesize and develop electrical design documentation
◆Design and develop electrical control systems, such as the PDUs and interlocks
◆Oversee EE and controls engineers

Qualifications

✓BS in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Physics
✓Familiarity with complex mechanical assemblies
✓Experience with motion control systems, EPICS/SCADA
✓Preferred experience with semiconductor systems

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

$144,000.00 - $198,000.00

Location

Benicia,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 .

Applied Materials XCT team is looking for a Control and Systems Engineering Manager/Lead. This is an excellent opportunity to work in a dynamic, high growth environment with a lot of challenging design work. We are looking for an Electrical Engineering Manager to support our team in building state of-

the-art X-ray microscopes used by some of the most prominent scientists in the world.

Skills

•Attention to detail
•Ability to work on multiple projects under tight deadlines and set priorities according to current demands
•Ability to work with minimal supervision and oversight
•Excellent written and verbal communication skills in a team environment
•Excellent analysis skills, both data analysis and critical thinking
•Enjoys developing complex prototypes

Position requires understanding of Applied Materials global Standards of Business Conduct and compliance with these standards at all times. This includes demonstrating the highest level of ethical conduct reflecting Applied Materials' core values.

Additional Information

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.