Manager of Security Operations

Manager Of Security Operations – Santa Clara

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. 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.

We are seeking an experienced security leader with deep AI knowledge and practical hands-on experience to lead our California-based security operations program. The Senior Manager – Security Operations is responsible for the strategic development, oversight, and execution of security operations programs at Applied Materials' Headquarters located in Santa Clara, along with surrounding sites in and around the Bay Area. This role blends deep security, safety and event management expertise with strong program management capabilities to ensure the protection of personnel, intellectual property and physical assets.

The ideal candidate will be a proactive leader with proven corporate security experience and the ability to collaborate across functions and drive strategic initiatives.

A core expectation of this role is the ability to apply AI tools and techniques in practical, day-to-day security operations work, from AI-assisted project management and budget modeling to automated case triage and intelligent alerting. The position partners closely with Global Security, Executive Protection, GSOC, Crisis Management, HR, Employee Relations, Legal, IT, Corporate Travel Services, Facilities, Risk Management, and executive leadership to design and maintain scalable security solutions throughout the site.

It is also the responsibility of this position to drive operational plans to ensure successful execution that will translate into measurable year-over-year improvements in performance, efficiency and effectiveness.

This position is supported by the Sr. Director of Security, North America and is an onsite role, based in Santa Clara, CA. The role requires travel up to 20%.

Program components include physical security, investigations, lab/intellectual property security, supply chain security, business continuity planning, incident command/crisis response.

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• 10+ years of experience in a corporate security related field.
• 5+ years' experience leading multi-location organizations for a technology company.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience; relevant certifications (e.g., CTH, CPP, CPO, or similar) a plus.
• Established network of industry peers from common security disciplines, organizations, and professional associations.
• Experience developing governance processes, KPIs/KRIs, dashboards, and reporting to support program effectiveness and operational readiness.
• Strong collaboration, influencing, and partnership skills across senior leadership functions such as HR, Legal, Global Security, Employee Relations, Risk Management, and business operations teams.
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills with the ability to perform effectively during high-pressure situations.
• Deep knowledge of industry best practices and performance metrics.
• Experience in safety, business continuity, state-of-the-art asset protection systems and emergency management.
• Commitment to fostering a culture of security, preparedness, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Customer-focused and service-oriented mindset.
• Excellent presentation and communication abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, AI tools and common security applications.

Succeeding in this role requires a capacity for complexity and a temperament that includes:

• Demonstrates a balanced leadership style with confidence, professionalism, and a collaborative approach.
• Brings positive energy, accountability, and a strong focus on employee safety and operational resilience.
• Process-oriented with the ability to build strong working relationships across teams and business functions.
• Effective communicator who can engage and collaborate with employees, leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders at all levels.
• Self-motivated and committed to continuous improvement, operational effectiveness, and program success.
• Demonstrated good judgment, situational awareness, and effective decision-making during complex, sensitive, or high-pressure situations.
• Ability to translate security and threat information into practical guidance, risk decisions, and business-appropriate mitigation.

Time Type:
Full time

Employee Type:
Assignee / Regular

Travel:
Yes, 20% of the Time

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…