Technical Project/Program Management Director

About the Company

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 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.

About the Role

The Technical Program Manager (TPM) Director will serve as the central orchestrator of large, complex module programs spanning Logic and Memory business units and key strategic customers (e.g., Samsung, SK Hynix, Micron, Intel). This role requires a unique blend of technical depth in semiconductor process technologies, business acumen, and executive-level communication to drive program execution from concept through high-volume manufacturing enablement. The TPM will be the binding force across engineering, business development, CTO, and customer organizations — ensuring alignment, speed, and accountability at every stage.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end program management for strategic customer engagements, including Technology Review Meetings (TRMs), yield improvement task forces, and cost reduction initiatives. Own program scoping, planning, risk management, and execution to plan of record.
• Prepare and present executive-level materials (slide decks, agendas, executive summaries) for meetings with customer VPs, CTOs, EVPs, and internal senior leadership. Represent Applied Materials with credibility and technical authority.
• Drive alignment across multiple BUs (e.g., MDP, Etch, CTO, Logic Modules, Memory Modules), integrated development teams (IDTs), and cross-functional teams (CFTs) through structured weekly and monthly review cadences.
• Coordinate program execution across US headquarters and international sites (Korea, Japan, Taiwan), managing across time zones, cultural contexts, and customer organizational structures.
• Proactively identify, assess, and retire program risks. Lead trade-off assessments and critical-path analysis to drive timely decision-making and escalation.
• Maintain disciplined program cadence with detailed meeting minutes, action item tracking, milestone reporting, and weekly/monthly executive status updates. Ensure transparency on program performance, risks, gaps, and help needed.
• Partner with business development and strategy teams to shape new module engagement opportunities, translate customer requirements into actionable program plans, and align demo/development priorities with business objectives.

Qualifications

• Required Education: BS/MS in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a related semiconductor discipline. PhD preferred.
• Experience: 12+ years in the semiconductor industry with at least 5 years in technical program management, business management, or engineering leadership roles.
• Technical Depth: Strong working knowledge of advanced semiconductor process technologies — including but not limited to DRAM, Logic/Foundry nodes, BEOL integration, FEOL device engineering, etch, deposition, and module integration.
• Customer-Facing Experience: Proven track record of managing programs directly with major semiconductor manufacturers (IDMs, foundries, memory makers) at the VP/Director level and above.
• Program Management Expertise: Demonstrated ability to manage large, multi-workstream programs with rigorous schedule, budget, and risk management discipline.
• Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex technical topics into clear executive summaries and customer-ready presentations.
• Preferred: Experience in semiconductor equipment or materials companies (e.g., Applied Materials, Lam Research, Tokyo Electron). Familiarity with Product Development Process (PDP) frameworks, phase-gate methodologies, and program management tools (e.g., Accolade/PDBoK). Bilingual (English/Korean, English/Mandarin, or English/Japanese) strongly preferred. Experience leading cost reduction, yield improvement, or technology roadmap alignment programs with customers. Track record of managing programs that span multiple technology nodes or product generations simultaneously.

What Sets This Role Apart

This is not a traditional TPM role. The ideal candidate will mirror the profile of our top-performing program leaders who:

• Own the full customer engagement lifecycle — from strategic planning through TRM execution and action item follow-through.
• Operate seamlessly across technical depth and business strategy.
• Build trusted relationships with customer executives (VP, CTO, Master-level) and internal senior leadership.
• Drive urgency and accountability across globally distributed, cross-functional teams.
• Communicate with precision — executive summaries, meeting minutes, and program dashboards are second nature.

Pay

Salary: $172,000.00 - $237,000.00

Schedule

• Time Type: Full time
• Travel: Yes, 10% of the Time

Benefits

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. 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.

Relocation Eligible: Yes