Director, Technical Project Management (R&D)

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. 

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Role Summary

The Director, Technical Project Management provides enterprise‑level leadership across strategy, partnerships, grants, and technical program execution at APDC (Advanced Packaging Development Center). This role leads a combined organization spanning:

• Strategy & Partnerships Program Management

• Grants & Talent Programs

• Technical Program / Customer Turnkey Management

The Director is accountable for governance, prioritization, disciplined execution, commercialization readiness, and technical program value across Applied–IME collaborations, EPIC Packaging commercialization, customer turnkey programs, and APDC internal development initiatives.

This role serves as the single point of accountability for program excellence, risk management, and value realization across all strategic, compliance, and technical program portfolios.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Portfolio Leadership & Governance

• Provide people leadership and performance management for Program Managers across (a) Strategy & Partnerships (b) Grants, Talent & Partnership Operations (c) Technical & Customer Turnkey Programs

• Establish standardized governance frameworks covering charters, milestones, risk registers, change control, budget discipline, closure criteria, and cross‑functional communication.

• Lead cross‑program prioritization aligned with APDC strategy, EPIC roadmap, customer needs, and Applied business priorities.

• Drive recurring governance rhythms: quarterly reviews, EMT/Steering Committee updates, leadership readouts, and external partner checkpoints.

2. Strategic Partnerships, IP & Commercialization

• Oversee execution of the Applied–IME partnership, ensuring strong governance for P3.0 sustaining and P4.0 transition activities.

• Ensure full operationalization of IP, legal, confidentiality, export/trade compliance frameworks across all engagements.

• Lead cross‑functional alignment for EPIC Packaging commercialization, including:

  • Revenue and opportunity tracking tied to tool & solution sales

  • Commercialization model development (credits, consultancy, licensing)

  • Alignment with HQ, Finance, Business Units, Strategic Marketing

• Provide executive direction on new and non‑standard partnerships: consortiums, third‑party MOUs, technical–commercial collaborations.

• Oversee negotiation frameworks for panel packaging and other emerging HI collaboration models.

3. Grants, Compliance & External Accountability

• Own APDC grants and incentives governance across EDB, A*STAR/IME, and internal compliance requirements.

• Ensure audit‑ready operations: timely submissions, accurate reporting, documentation hygiene, and cross‑functional readiness.

• Manage structured transition from P3.0 → P4.0 commitments, ensuring continuity of existing programs while establishing new controls for upcoming obligations.

• Drive APDC‑wide quarterly grant reviews and structured leadership reporting.

• Oversee APDC talent pipeline programs including:

  • R&D hiring coordination

  • NCG Program & Discovery Day execution

  • Internships, onboarding frameworks, and talent development platforms

4. Customer Turnkey & Technical Program Execution

• Provide executive oversight of customer turnkey programs (e.g., EPIC Packaging customers such as Micron, SKH):

  • Budget adherence within ±10%

  • ≥90% milestone adherence

  • Clear SOW, charter control, and cross‑functional governance with BU, APDC, account teams

• Ensure IME RCA & technical programs:

  • Align to APDC priorities

  • Deliver measurable technical or business value

  • Follow disciplined scoping, change control, and closure criteria

• Lead creation and institutionalization of standardized turnkey engagement frameworks, including:

  • Evaluation criteria

  • Stakeholder roles

  • Gated execution workflows

  • Readiness checks for new customer integrations

• Oversee RCA tracking, customer communication, BU TV program management, and APDC‑META technical coordination.

• Ensure strong cross‑module alignment (engineering, process, plasma, CMP, bonding) and transparent escalation paths.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years experience leading complex cross‑functional programs in semiconductor, advanced packaging, or deep‑tech ecosystems.

• Proven leadership across technical, commercial, legal/IP, and public‑private partnership dimensions.

• Demonstrated ability to drive governance across multi‑party ecosystems (Applied, IME, EDB, consortiums, customers).

• Experience managing grant‑based or compliance‑heavy programs highly preferred.

• Strong executive communication, influence, and stakeholder management skills.

• People‑leadership experience with senior program managers or multi‑disciplinary teams.

Work Location

• Science Park II (Moving to Tampines in end 2026)

Additional Information

Time Type:

Employee Type:

Travel:

Relocation Eligible:

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.