New College Grad Physicist/Scientist (PhD - Santa Clara, CA_

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:

$138,000.00 - $190,000.00

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. 

Position Summary
Conducts scientific research and technology development in photonics, optics, optical metrology, and electromagnetic systems. Applies physics-based principles, modeling, simulation, and experimental methods to develop innovative optical solutions, improve system performance, and enable next-generation products.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and characterize optical and photonic systems, components, and architectures.
• Perform modeling and simulation of optical, electromagnetic, and photonic phenomena.
• Design and execute experiments to validate theoretical predictions and system performance.
• Analyze experimental and measurement data to identify performance limitations and optimization opportunities.
• Develop novel optical metrology and sensing approaches.
• Collaborate with hardware, software, systems, and product engineering teams to integrate optical technologies into products.
• Drive technology innovation through invention disclosures, patent generation, and technical leadership.
• Communicate technical findings through reports, presentations, and design reviews.
• Engage with academic, industrial, and research partners on advanced technology development.

Typical Technical Areas

• Integrated photonics
• Silicon photonics
• Optical metrology
• Interferometry
• Optical imaging systems
• Fiber optics and optical communications
• Laser systems and beam delivery
• Electromagnetic modeling and simulation
• Computational optics
• Optical sensing and instrumentation
• Nanophotonics and plasmonics
• Machine learning for optical system design and analysis

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Photonics, or a related field.
• Strong background in optics, electromagnetics, or photonics.
• Experience with optical design and simulation tools (e.g., Zemax, Lumerical, COMSOL, FDTD/FEM platforms).
• Proficiency in scientific programming and data analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to translate scientific concepts into practical engineering solutions.
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Success Measures

• Innovation and technical contributions to optical technologies.
• Performance improvements in photonic systems and measurement capabilities.
• Quality and rigor of scientific investigations.
• Intellectual property generation and technical leadership.
• Effectiveness in cross-disciplinary collaboration and product impact.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

New College Grad

Travel:

Not Specified

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 [email protected], 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.