AI Algorithm Developer

Applied Materials is the leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. Our expertise in modifying materials at atomic levels and on an industrial scale helps our customers – who make smartphones, supercomputers, virtual reality headsets, autonomous vehicles and more – transform their ideas into reality.

Inside our company, we apply the idea of making it possible as we work together. We value our people and teams who turn possibilities into reality by advancing our strategy, accomplishing great things, and empowering others. We are deeply committed to fostering a Culture of Inclusion where every person knows they belong, feels empowered to bring their whole self to work, and is inspired to grow.

Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced AI Algorithm Developer to join our Process Development team in Santa Clara, CA. In this role, you will design and implement cutting-edge machine learning solutions to accelerate learning cycles in the highly nonlinear and complex semiconductor capital equipment space. Success in this position requires creativity, innovation, and the ability to combine physical understanding, domain expertise, and experimental data to build predictive models that meet stringent on-wafer performance specifications for chip manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and productize advanced deep learning and optimization algorithms for semiconductor equipment processing workflows.

• Collaborate with domain experts to identify high-value process challenges and translate them into well-defined data science problems with clear assumptions, objectives, and accuracy requirements.

• Apply advanced modeling and optimization techniques to extract actionable insights from sparse, noisy, and highly complex process spaces.

• Design and implement scalable, generalizable algorithms; define specifications for productization and deployment.

• Communicate complex analytical concepts and insights effectively to diverse audiences, including leadership and cross-functional teams.

• Partner with internal groups to analyze experimental data and deliver actionable intelligence.

Key Requirements

Must-Have:

• Strong foundation in machine learning techniques, including deep learning, regression, classification, clustering, and Bayesian optimization.

• 5+ years of experience developing and deploying machine learning algorithms in scientific or engineering industrial processes.

• Proficiency in Python and familiarity with key analytics and ML libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch, Keras, Scikit-learn, SciPy, Pandas, NumPy, CUDA).

• Solid understanding of semiconductor process development workflows.

• Strong grasp of software engineering principles, architectural patterns, and data structures.

• Creative and critical thinker with exceptional problem-solving skills.

• Excellent time management, organizational, communication, and collaboration abilities.

Preferred:

• Hands-on experience with GPU systems and optimizing AI model execution using CUDA.

• Familiarity with distributed cloud computing and parallelization.

• Experience with Agile methodologies and tools such as JIRA.

• 5+ years of experience in semiconductor process development.

Education & Experience

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Materials Science, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related field.