Manager, Technical Program Management

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:
$158,500.00 - $218,000.00

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 Overview

The Photonics Platforms group (PPB) is a fast‑growing, startup‑style organization within Applied Materials pioneering nano‑photonic technologies to power next‑generation Augmented Reality devices. We are now in a hyper-growth phase with the launch of our manufacturing fab and ever more intense innovation.

We are seeking a Technical Program Management (TPM) Lead to head our TPM function and manage a team of three TPMs. This senior leader will define and scale program execution across a portfolio of cutting‑edge R&D and device commercialization programs. The TPM Lead will operate in a highly ambiguous, extremely fast‑moving environment and build the systems, processes, and organizational muscles required for PPB to deliver a first‑of‑its‑kind AR product at scale.

This role requires a hybrid of strategic leadership, cross‑functional orchestration, people management, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate has deep experience taking components from prototype to mass production, excels at rapid scaling, and thrives in greenfield environments where many processes must be built from scratch.

Key Responsibilities

1. Organizational & People Leadership

• Lead and grow a team of Technical Program Managers; provide coaching, career development, and performance management.
• Define the TPM operating model for PPB, including governance, cadences, decision‑making processes, and execution standards.

• Drive complex, multi‑disciplinary programs from concept through EVT/DVT/PVT and customer release.
• Translate broad, ambiguous objectives into clear, actionable program strategies, execution plans, and measurable milestones.
• Ensure program objectives are well‑defined and aligned across Engineering, Ops, Manufacturing, Finance, Product, and Executive stakeholders.
• Apply conceptual and innovative thinking to solve unique, first‑of‑kind technical and organizational challenges.
• Anticipate internal and external risks; establish mechanisms for early detection and mitigation.

• Partner with PMO lead to architect and deploy scalable program management processes, including roadmap governance, readiness reviews, risk tracking, and cross‑functional OKRs.
• Drive operational discipline by embedding PMO‑developed processes into daily execution and ensuring teams follow clear, scalable rhythms for planning, risk management, and cross‑functional alignment.
• Surface execution gaps, friction points, and scaling challenges, and provide strategic input to the PMO to refine processes as the organization grows rapidly.
• Champion a culture of predictable execution and continuous improvement, ensuring processes remain lightweight, effective, and suitable for a fast‑paced AR hardware team.

• Serve as the connective tissue between Engineering, Systems Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Product Management, and Executive Leadership.
• Manage cross‑functional interdependencies, drive accountability, and ensure timely resolution of critical issues.
• Lead executive‑level program reviews, enabling data‑driven decision‑making and clear trade‑off analysis.
• Influence senior stakeholders and build organization‑wide alignment in a high‑ambiguity, high‑pressure environment.

• Coordinate with internal and external customers to define objectives, align on success criteria, and prepare for product deployment.
• Provide clear, concise updates on device readiness, program risks, and path to launch.
• Ensure smooth transitions between development phases and customer industrialization phases.

• Demonstrated ability to lead programs with significant technical, organizational, and schedule risk.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to articulate complex technical ideas, anticipate objections, and influence senior leaders.
• Proven track record of operating successfully in ambiguous, fast‑growing, greenfield environments.
• High tolerance for uncertainty and ability to impose structure and clarity in the absence of established processes.
• Exceptional systems‑level thinking, risk management, and cross‑functional leadership.

• 10-15+ years of Technical Program Management experience, including leadership roles in fast‑paced hardware organizations.
• End‑to‑end product lifecycle experience, including EVT/DVT/PVT,
• Demonstrated success scaling program management processes in high‑growth teams or startup environments.
• Master's degree in Engineering or related technical field; advanced degree preferred.