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.

What We Offer

Salary:

$168,000.00 - $231,000.00

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.

Role Summary

The Design Director / Design Manager is an experienced leader responsible for guiding the planning and execution of architectural and engineering (A&E) design across a diverse and evolving global real‑estate portfolio, primarily focused on advanced semiconductor R&D laboratories—including large‑scale ISO‑classified cleanrooms and H‑5 occupancy areas— but may also include corporate office buildings, amenities spaces (café, executive briefing centers), and parking structures based on resourcing needs.

This role partners with Applied’s Design COE to lead and/or support A&E contracting strategy and selection, client programming and concept development through entitlement, permitting, design documentation, technical integration, and construction support. The Design Director / Design Manager in concert with the Design COE will serve as the primary owner representative for all design‑related matters, ensuring all project designs meet functional needs, regulatory requirements, long‑term operational goals, and broader campus standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Design Leadership Across a Multi‑Facility Portfolio

In partnership with the Design COE, lead A&E design for a range of building types including semiconductor R&D labs, ISO 5 cleanrooms, H‑5 occupancy areas, office buildings, cafés, executive briefing centers, and parking structures.
Support the develop and implement long‑range design strategies aligned with enterprise standards, sustainability goals, operational efficiency, and future expansion plans.
Support in the establishment of a global platform from which all R&D Lab Infrastructure teams globally can leverage, including methods and process, contracting, resources, and expertise.

2. Client Programming, Visioning & Requirements Development

Lead client programming, user engagement, and requirements definition.
Guide user groups through visioning exercises, option studies, adjacencies planning, and initial test‑fits for highly technical and non‑technical building types.
Translate stakeholder needs into actionable design criteria, test‑fits, and conceptual options.
Ensure all programmatic requirements are captured and retained throughout design development and documentation.

3. Entitlement, Permitting & AHJ Engagement

Direct entitlement strategies and entitlement packages for complex projects, ensuring alignment with zoning codes, campus requirements, and long‑range master planning.
Lead all permitting activities including pre‑app meetings, code analysis, plan check coordination, and specialized reviews (e.g., hazardous materials, high‑density occupancy).
Build strong working relationships with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) to drive timely approvals and mitigate project risk.

4. Semiconductor R&D & Cleanroom Design Oversight

Oversee design of large-scale semiconductor R&D facilities including ISO 5 cleanrooms, support bays, subfab, and highly specialized utility and process areas.
Ensure full compliance with H‑5 occupancy requirements—explosion control, hazardous material thresholds, exhaust zoning, monitoring systems, and life‑safety integration.
Validate that cleanroom designs meet ISO classification, process tool adjacency, vibration, and contamination-control standards.

5. Tool‑Install Integration

Partner with Tool‑Install teams to ensure Basebuild designs fully support tool layouts, utilities, and sequence needs.
Facilitate design interface reviews to confirm alignment on tool sets, utility matrices, exhaust requirements, sequencing, and structural impacts.

6. Multi‑Discipline Design Management & Technical Integration

Lead A&E firms through all phases of design, including SD, DD, and CD, ensuring high‑quality, cost‑effective, and fully coordinated deliverables.
Oversee BIM strategy, model federation, and multi‑discipline clash detection across building, structural, MEP, and process engineering.
Implement robust design QA/QC processes to enhance constructability and reduce downstream changes.

7. Project Controls & Governance

Manage design budgets, scope definition, and change control processes across multiple concurrent projects.
Oversee detailed design schedules for both Basebuild and integrated tool-support scopes, including updates to the Integrated Master Schedule.
Ensure design decisions align with capital budgets, operational excellence, and long-term facility performance.

8. Construction Phase Support

Support the construction team during bidding, submittal/RFI cycles, design clarifications, field walks, and issue resolution.
Protect design intent while enabling field expediency and maintaining compliance with programmatic and regulatory requirements.
Support project closeout activities including design verification, punch list resolution, and oversight of complete and accurate as‑built documentation.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Mechanical/Electrical/Chemical Engineering, or related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
12+ years leading A&E design for complex technical and corporate building types.
Proven experience with both client programming and AHJ entitlement/permitting processes.
Hands‑on experience with cleanroom design, semiconductor R&D labs, and H‑5 occupancy compliance.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple large projects under accelerated schedules.
Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional licensure (RA or PE).
Experience with major semiconductor or advanced manufacturing projects.
Background in large‑campus planning, workplace design, and amenity programming.
Demonstrated success managing multiple high‑value, concurrent projects under accelerated schedules.
Strong facility with BIM/VDC, including Navisworks, Revit, and integrated model review workflows.

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.