Process Engineer E4
Applied Materials · Santa Clara, CA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Process
- Base pay
- $147k–$203k
- Travel
- 10%
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Today
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level process role at Applied Materials (industrial) in Santa Clara, CA. Troubleshoot a variety of complex problems, perform Root Cause Analysis and resolve a variety of difficult process engineering issues.
- They ask for
- 10+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause
- Base pay
- $147k–$203k
- Day to day
- about 10% travel
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 26, 2026
Process Engineer roles in California: typical posted base $124k–$171k. This one lists $147k–$203k.
Median of the low and high ends of 60 live postings that list pay, out of 97 process 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 96 other live process postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 19% above similar roles
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 5+)
Typical $122k–$171k, from 57 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Root cause 46%
- DOE 30%
- SPC 26%
- ✓ Team leadership 24%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 22%
- New product launch 21%
✓ = 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?
- The posting says about 10% travel. Between which sites?
- 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
50 other open roles at this site · 7 people we found in process roles at Applied Materials.
- Process Engineer · Process
- Process Engineer III · Process · Senior
- Senior Process Engineer · Process · Senior
- Process Engineer - Advanced Packaging R&D · Process
- Process Technician III · Process · Technician
- Process Engineer – Plasma Etch · Process
Full description from Applied MaterialsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
- ◆Design experiments, collect data, perform analysis, and compile reports on a variety of complex process‑engineering tasks while adhering to all safety guidelines.
- ◆Conduct hardware characterization on multiple advanced systems in compliance with safety requirements.
- ◆Develop and characterize PVD processes on Applied MDP chambers, and provide unit‑process inputs to integration engineers for device‑wafer fabrication across various projects; and collaborate with cross‑functional lithography, etch and device teams to support device‑wafer fabrication across multiple projects.
- ◆Strong understanding of metal deposition technologies (PVD/ECD), dielectric/metal CMP, CMOS interconnects, and advanced packaging metallization flows and challenges.
- ◆General knowledge of DUV lithography and plasma etch processes.
- ◆Troubleshoot a variety of complex problems, perform Root Cause Analysis and resolve a variety of difficult process engineering issues
- ◆Generate internal and external documentation for products, presentations and technical reports
- ◆Interact with customers to resolve a variety of difficult process engineering issues/problems with limited supervision
- ◆Measure material and device properties and interpret data
- ◆Identify, select and work with vendors and suppliers with limited supervision
- ◆Implement new technology, products and analytical instrumentation
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
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
$147,000.00 - $202,500.00
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 .
As a Process Engineer, you'll play a crucial role in designing and optimizing manufacturing processes for display and semiconductor manufacturing technologies. You will collect and analyze data, perform hardware characterization, and troubleshoot engineering issues. You'll also measure film properties, generate technical documentation, and engage with customers to resolve concerns. Process Engineers collaborate with vendors and suppliers, and become familiar with implementing new technologies and products. You will experiment, learn, and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the semiconductor and display industries, partnering with our globally recognized R&D teams on state-of-the-art research and development projects.
Applied Materials, Inc. is the global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. Our expertise in modifying materials at atomic levels and on an industrial scale enables customers to transform possibilities into reality. At Applied Materials, our innovations Make Possible ® the technology shaping the future.
At Applied’s CTO group, we focus on enabling technologies for quantum information applications, i.e. superconducting qubits and optical quantum computing. Our primary objective is to collaborate with system companies and universities to develop quantum devices with significantly lower error rates compared to current standards. Our approach centers on harnessing state of the art materials engineering and semiconductor processing to enhance device performance.
To achieve this goal, we're seeking a passionate quantum scientist with strong quantum computing and qubit background to develop novel materials and devices for emerging markets and new technology inflection on quantum information. We value our people and teams who turn possibilities into reality. We are deeply committed to fostering a Culture of Inclusion where every person knows they belong, feels empowered to bring their whole self to work, and is inspired to grow.
Functional Knowledge
- •Demonstrates conceptual and practical expertise in own discipline and basic knowledge of related disciplines
Business Expertise
- •Has knowledge of best practices and how own area integrates with others; is aware of the competition and the factors that differentiate them in the market
Leadership
- •Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience; may lead small projects with manageable risks and resource
Problem Solving
- •Solves complex problems; takes a new perspective on existing solutions; exercises judgment based on the analysis of multiple sources of information
Impact
- •Impacts a range of customer, operational, project or service activities within own team and other related teams; works within broad guidelines and policies
Interpersonal Skills
- •Explains difficult or sensitive information; works to build consensus
- •Capable of collaborating with cross‑functional teams on a regular, day‑to‑day basis.
Additional Information
Shift: 10-Day 8-Hr (United States of America)
Travel: Yes, 10% of the Time
Relocation Eligible: Yes
Additional Information
Time Type
Full time
Employee Type
Assignee / R