Lab Operations Manager

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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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The Manager / Senior Manager, Lab Operations is responsible for managing lab operations execution and metrology capability within the APEX Singapore Lab. The scope spans the full metrology lifecycle, including assessment of metrology requirements, tool installation and start-up, recipe creation and matching, and ongoing SPC, utilization, and execution discipline. The role has primary ownership of metrology operations and process technician–run wafer execution, and is expected to provide broader operational leadership and site-level coordination across hardware, facilities, materials, and other Central Ops functions as required.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess and define metrology requirements aligned to Business Unit roadmaps and program needs.
• Lead metrology tool procurement, installation, start-up, qualification, and operational release.
• Own recipe creation, matching, and qualification, working with equipment vendors, Applied internal technical experts, and Business Unit teams.
• Establish and maintain SPC charts, control limits, and monitoring cadence to manage tool and process drift.
• Drive tool utilization, uptime, downtime recovery, and throughput improvements using KPI-based operating reviews.
• Own the execution model where process technicians run wafers on both BU-owned tools and metrology tools using qualified recipes.
• Manage and develop the process technician team, including hiring, training, certification, and performance management.
• Provide site-level operational leadership and coordination across hardware support, facilities, materials, logistics, and Central Ops functions.
• Resolve cross-functional execution constraints and support alignment across programs and site stakeholders.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to increase effective capacity and reduce execution cycle time.

Culture, Safety & Ways of Working

• Champion a strong culture of safety, ensuring strict adherence to EHS standards, safe work practices, and incident prevention in all lab activities.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, skills development, and knowledge sharing across process technicians and lab operations teams.
• Encourage structured training, certification, and cross-skilling to build long-term capability and operational resilience.
• Model and reinforce disciplined execution, accountability, and respect for Applied’s values in day-to-day operations.

Scope & Impact

• Ownership of end-to-end metrology capability and execution readiness for the APEX Singapore Lab.
• Direct impact on lab utilization, execution throughput, safety performance, and program cycle time.
• Leadership of a process technician organization supporting multiple tools and programs.
• At the M6 level, scope may expand to include broader lab operations ownership beyond metrology.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• Experience in semiconductor lab, fab, or R&D operations.
• Proven people management experience leading technical or operations teams.
• Strong execution mindset with experience running KPI-driven operations.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, learning, and team development.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting semiconductor metrology tools and workflows.
• Experience in recipe development, matching, or process enablement.
• Experience coordinating across hardware, facilities, and materials functions.
• Experience operating in multi-program or joint lab environments.

Personal Attributes

• Self-starter with the ability to operate effectively in an ambiguous, fast-paced R&D environment.
• Strong sense of ownership and bias for action, with the ability to drive issues to closure.
• Customer-centric mindset, focused on enabling BU and program success through reliable execution.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to influence across functions and stakeholders.

Scope Clarification

This role owns the full metrology lifecycle, from requirements assessment through SPC and utilization management. The role owns recipe creation, matching, and operational readiness, working with vendors, Applied internal experts, and Business Unit teams. Business Units remain accountable for technology direction and program objectives, while this role ensures delivery into execution. While metrology is the initial primary scope, the role is expected to provide broader lab operations leadership and site-level coordination as the APEX Singapore Lab scales in size and complexity.

Additional Information

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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.