Applied Materials, Inc

Senior Director, Enterprise AI & Automation

Applied Materials, Inc • $224K — $308K *
Santa Clara, CA 95051In-Person
Enterprise Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
2 weeks ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 15+ years in software engineering, data science, or AI/ML with 7+ years in leadership roles.
  • Proven experience in delivering enterprise-scale AI/GenAI programs with measurable impact.
  • Hands-on experience with RPA deployments at scale (UiPath, Blue Prism, Automation Anywhere).
  • Strong governance and compliance understanding in AI/GenAI contexts.
  • Deep expertise in LLMs: fine-tuning, prompt engineering, and domain adaptation.

Responsibilities

  • Own the enterprise AI/GenAI strategy from concept to deployment across multiple domains.
  • Architect multi-agent frameworks for large-scale AI utilization and governance.
  • Lead end-to-end MLOps programs to enhance ML infrastructure and model management.
  • Establish and maintain model governance standards for data science initiatives.
  • Drive RPA programs to achieve significant operational efficiencies across the organization.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package provided.
  • Opportunities for participation in a bonus and stock award program based on performance.
Full Job Description


Position Overview

Applied Materials is seeking a visionary engineering leader to drive the enterprise-wide strategy and execution of AI, Generative AI, Agentic Automation, MLOps, and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) capabilities. Reporting to the VP of Engineering, this leader will own the full AI/GenAI lifecycle-from ideation and PoC through production deployment and enablement-while leading cross-functional teams, influencing senior stakeholders, and building a culture of innovation and responsible AI use.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic AI & GenAI Leadership
  • Own the Enterprise AI/GenAI strategy and PoC-to-production delivery across domains (Contract Analytics, Quality, Finance, Supply Chain), aligning investments with business priorities.
  • Architect and govern the Enterprise Agentic AI Strategy, deploying multi-agent frameworks and LLM-powered tools at scale.
  • Drive fine-tuning, prompt engineering, and domain adaptation of LLMs for Applied Materials' use cases; contribute to AI governance and commercialization at the executive level, and represent the organization at industry conferences (e.g., ET India, EPTC Singapore).


Enterprise LLM Platform & Multi-Cloud AI Infrastructure
  • Enable secure enterprise access to 100+ LLMs across Azure AI Foundry, AWS Bedrock, and GCP Vertex AI, integrating open-source models via artifact platforms (e.g., JFrog).
  • Partner with Security, Legal, and Infrastructure to streamline PoC cycles, standardize sizing, and ensure compliant AI deployment.
  • Enable autonomous AI environments and MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers for internal tools and agentic workflows.


MLOps & Model Lifecycle Management
  • Lead end-to-end MLOps programs - training pipelines, CI/CD for ML, feature stores, and production monitoring - and drive modernization of ML infrastructure (e.g., CDSW 12 Databricks).
  • Establish model governance (bias detection, explainability, drift monitoring, retraining) and champion Databricks best practices across data science and engineering teams.


Agentic AI & Automation
  • Architect and deploy enterprise-grade multi-agent AI systems for complex, multi-step workflows, integrating with ERP, CRM, and ITSM to automate high-value decisions end-to-end.
  • Design internal AI tools and agents (e.g., AI Finance Bot, domain-specific LLM applications) and lead the roadmap for next-generation agentic platforms as emerging capabilities mature.


Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
  • Lead the RPA Center of Excellence and enterprise-scale automation programs, delivering measurable cost avoidance ($100M+ annually) and operational efficiency gains.
  • Champion modern RPA platforms (UiPath AutoPilot) and AI-augmented tooling; expand automated ticket resolution to 60%+ of support requests.
  • Establish RPA governance, change control, and operational KPIs to sustain reliability and scalability of the automation estate.


Required Qualifications

Experience
  • 15+ years in software engineering, data science, or AI/ML, with 7+ years leading large engineering or AI teams.
  • Track record delivering enterprise-scale AI/GenAI programs with measurable business impact, and building/scaling production MLOps platforms.
  • Experience deploying RPA programs at scale (UiPath, Blue Prism, Automation Anywhere, or equivalent) and hands-on with agentic AI frameworks (LangChain, AutoGen, CrewAI, or comparable).
  • Experience leading governance, legal, and security review processes for AI/GenAI deployments in regulated or enterprise contexts.

Technical Skills
  • Deep LLM expertise: fine-tuning, prompt engineering, RAG architectures, and domain adaptation.
  • Multi-cloud AI platforms (Azure AI Foundry, AWS Bedrock, GCP Vertex AI) and MLOps tooling (Databricks/MLflow, Kubeflow, SageMaker, or equivalent), with model monitoring and drift detection.
  • RPA development and platform management: UiPath (including AutoPilot), with automation governance and COE operations.
  • Python fluency with modern AI/ML libraries (PyTorch, Hugging Face Transformers, LangChain).
  • MCP (Model Context Protocol), tool-calling, and agent orchestration patterns; enterprise integration, API-based automation, and workflow orchestration.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, or capital equipment industries, with familiarity applying AI/ML to quality, supply chain, or engineering operations.
  • Contributions to AI governance frameworks, responsible AI policies, or AI ethics programs at the enterprise level, plus recognized industry contributions (awards, publications, conference talks, open-source).
  • Degree in Computer Science, Machine Learning, or a related technical field.


Additional Information

Time Type:
Full time

Employee Type:
Assignee / Regular

Travel:
Yes, 20% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:
No

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.

About Applied Materials, Inc

Applied Materials specialize in materials engineering solutions. They optimize equipment and fab operations through consulting, spare parts, services, and automation software. They also provide supply chain services from transactional spares through programs, rebuilds, and forecasted parts management. Their products and technologies include semiconductors, displays, roll web coating, solar, and automation software.

**Applied Materials, Inc. Careers**

Join the innovative world of Applied Materials, Inc., a leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. Our global team is driving innovation and growth in the industries we serve. This is where your expertise can make a true impact.

Work You’ll Do

At Applied Materials, Inc., you will be part of a company that prides itself on fostering a culture of innovation, diversity, and professional growth. As a member of our team, you will lead groundbreaking projects at the intersection of technology, leadership, and engineering excellence. We offer a variety of job opportunities that allow you to explore your potential and push the boundaries of what's possible.

Innovate and Lead

Join a team where innovation is at the heart of everything we do. You will work alongside the brightest minds in the industry, utilizing your skills to contribute to projects that are not only exciting but also crucial for technological advancements. Our leadership is committed to providing you with the guidance and support needed to achieve your career goals.

Career Growth and Opportunities

Whether you are looking for an internship, a full-time position, or leadership roles, Applied Materials, Inc. provides an array of career paths to help you achieve your professional aspirations. Our commitment to career growth is evident through extensive training programs and opportunities for advancement.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Applied Materials, Inc., we believe that diversity fuels innovation. We are dedicated to building a diverse team that reflects the global communities we serve. Our diversity training programs are designed to enhance collaboration and foster an inclusive environment where all employees can thrive.

Benefits and Culture

Our employees enjoy a range of benefits that support both their professional and personal lives. From health and wellness programs to competitive retirement plans, we ensure that our team is taken care of. The culture at Applied Materials, Inc. is built on collaboration, respect, and a commitment to excellence.

Join Our Team

Explore the job opportunities at Applied Materials, Inc. and find the position that matches your skills and passions. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who are curious, creative, and ready to drive innovation in a dynamic industry.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest company news, career tips, and industry insights by joining our network. Engage with us on professional networking platforms and stay ahead in your career journey.

Apply Now

Ready to take the next step in your career? Submit your resume, prepare for your interview, and join a team that’s dedicated to materializing the technologies of tomorrow. Discover the impact you can make at Applied Materials, Inc. and help us shape the future.

SEARCH APPLIED MATERIALS JOBS

--- This page for Applied Materials, Inc. Careers incorporates all the requested elements, maintaining the "Company Content Style" with a focus on innovation, career growth, and the dynamic team environment.
Learn more about Applied Materials, Inc
Size
27,000 employees
Market Cap
$80.7 billion
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
$3.8 billion
Founded
1967
5 Year Trend
+11.9%
Revenue
$18.2 billion
NASDAQ
AMAT
* Ladders Estimates

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