Director, EPIC Lab Operations

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips - the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world - like AI and IoT.

If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.

Salary: $ - $

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.

The Director, Lab Operations is responsible for leading end-to-end lab operations to ensure safe, high-quality, and efficient production execution. This role drives daily performance across Safety, Quality, and Output (SQO), oversees cleanroom and production control activities, and partners with engineering and customers to meet operational objectives. The Operations Manager plays a critical role in fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

• Drive achievement of daily, weekly, and quarterly production targets.
• Maximize equipment utilization by ensuring tools are effectively run when available (UTP).
• Identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to maintain throughput.

• Ensure adherence to strict quality standards to protect wafer integrity throughout all processes.
• Promote a 'product-as-customer' mindset, reinforcing ownership of quality at every operational step.
• Prevent contamination, defects, and handling-related damage through disciplined execution.

• Lead and oversee 24/7 lab operations, including:
  • Production Control Center (PCC) activities (staffed per shift)
  • Cleanroom floor operations through Team Leaders and Clean Room Operators (CROs)
• Ensure alignment and seamless coordination between operations, engineering, and support teams.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customer and tenant concerns related to lab operations.
• Ensure timely issue resolution, transparent communication, and follow-through on corrective actions.

• Lead root cause analysis using structured methodologies such as 5 Whys and 8D.
• Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to eliminate recurrence of issues.

• Monitor and ensure achievement of daily Safety, Quality, and Output (SQO) targets.
• Provide clear, data-driven explanations for deviations, including root cause and recovery plans.
• Report operational performance, risks, and improvements to the Fab Manager.

• Participate in Change Review Boards (CRBs) as required.
• Lead weekly production meetings with Engineering to review tool status, performance, and priorities.
• Collaborate with business units and stakeholders to support operational goals.

• Apply Lean principles through Gemba (go-and-see) practices to observe operations firsthand.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce waste.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement across teams.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years of experience in semiconductor manufacturing, cleanroom operations, or similar environments
• Proven leadership experience managing operations teams in a high-volume or R&D fab setting
• Experience with process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent)
• Strong leadership and team management skills in a 24/7 operational environment
• Deep understanding of lab operations, equipment utilization, and production control
• Expertise in…