System Engineer IV - Wet Chemical Tool

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:

$161,000.00 - $221,000.00

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. 

As a Systems Engineer, you’ll design, integrate, and optimize complex systems that drive the semiconductor industry forward. Your expertise in systems thinking and problem-solving is essential as you collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop advanced solutions to intricate processes and writing system specifications. You’ll be responsible for analyzing requirements, defining system architectures, conducting thorough testing, and ensuring seamless integration of subsystems. Additionally, you’ll identify and mitigate risks, confirming that our systems meet the highest quality standards and exceed customer expectations.  

Role Summary

Applied Materials is looking for a Systems Engineer who is an effective problem solver for our next-generation copper Electrochemical Deposition (ECD) platform. You will be challenged with solving complex technical problems that require creativity, ingenuity, and system-level understanding of the interaction between mechanical, electrical, controls, automation, and process/chemistry subsystems. As a Systems Engineer, you will develop technical solutions by generating root-cause hypotheses, working cross-functionally to brainstorm design concepts, and performing hands-on integration testing to validate tool-level performance — enabling the wafer-level performance, throughput, and reliability targets of one of the industry's most advanced copper plating tools.

Key Responsibilities

• Technically lead engineering projects and own end-to-end execution to deliver complete system-level solutions for the copper Electrochemical Deposition (ECD) platform, spanning wafer handling, plating chambers, fluid delivery, chemistry, controls, and automation.
• De-construct on-wafer performance requirements into engineering design requirements and partner with process, mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to develop solutions that meet and exceed those requirements.
• Own system-level issue resolution and interface management across mechanical, electrical, controls, and software domains.
• Drive engineering execution from concept through release, including design, analysis, supplier engagement, build, and validation of complex subsystems; experience with wet process or electrochemical systems (e.g., copper plating, wafer cleaning) is strongly preferred.
• Define and optimize system-level design tradeoffs across on-wafer performance, throughput, reliability, manufacturability, cost, and serviceability.
• Support tool bring-up, debugging, integration testing, and qualification to meet throughput, uptime, and on-wafer performance targets, translating process requirements into hardware and control system implementation.
• Track and drive closure of system-level risks, technical gaps, and cross-team action items; validate solutions through structured testing, first-principles calculations, and simulation tools (e.g., FEA/CFD), analyzing results using tools such as JMP and MS Excel.
• Communicate technical results and system-level status through presentations to cross-functional teams, management, and customers; create, specify, and review engineering documentation and release through PLM systems (e.g., Teamcenter).

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline, with 7+ years of applicable experience in semiconductor equipment development; equivalent combination of a Bachelor's degree and additional relevant experience will be considered.
• 3D CAD experience with tools such as UG NX, or equivalent.
• Experience with statistical data analysis tools such as JMP and MS Excel, or equivalent.
• Experience using engineering analysis or simulation tools such as ANSYS, CFD-Ace, or COMSOL, or equivalent, is a plus.
• Direct experience integrating multi-disciplinary subsystems (mechanical, electrical, controls, software) on complex capital equipment; experience with wet process or electrochemical systems (e.g., copper plating, wafer cleaning) is strongly preferred.
• Track record of driving tool bring-up, integration testing, and qualification from concept through production readiness.
• Experience leading root-cause investigations with a track record of reducing integration risk and accelerating development timelines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to align cross-functional teams and communicate system-level status to management.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 25% 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.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

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.