Algorithm Developer III - Santa Clara, CA, United States
$161,000 - $221,000 USD yearly
Originally posted 16 July 2026 by the employer. Relisted by the employer on 12 September 2026.
Develop predictive models and physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) for real-time semiconductor manufacturing tools.
About the role
Applied Materials is seeking an Algorithm Developer to work at the intersection of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), theoretical physics, and systems engineering for semiconductor manufacturing applications. The role focuses on developing automated systems and predictive models leveraging physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) and first-principles modeling.
What you'll do
- Design and develop scalable data pipelines to collect, process, and analyze high-volume sensor data from semiconductor manufacturing systems. - Identify and model underlying physical relationships governing complex process behavior. - Develop predictive and control algorithms using traditional physics-based methods alongside machine learning approaches. - Build robust, maintainable software modules that integrate directly with real-world manufacturing tools and control systems. - Develop ML surrogates or reduced order models based on rigorous physics simulations. - Analyze large quantities of sensor and metrology data to iteratively refine simulation fidelity and algorithm accuracy.
What you'll need
- Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computational Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline (or Master's degree with a minimum of 2 years of relevant industry or research experience). - Deep expertise in theoretical physics, applied mathematics, computational science, or simulation-driven engineering. - Working knowledge of modern machine learning, data science, and statistical modeling techniques. - Software engineering capabilities to translate complex algorithms into clean, scalable, and production-ready code. - Demonstrated experience delivering algorithms and models that interact with and control physical systems.
Nice to have
- Demonstrated code development quality evidenced through public GitHub repositories, open-source contributions, peer-reviewed publications, or equivalent technical work. - Experience with computational methods, computer-aided engineering (CAE), engineering simulation, physical modeling, or analysis of complex systems. - Experience applying machine learning techniques directly to scientific, engineering, or industrial problems. - Technical background in sensors, instrumentation, hardware systems, or robotics.
Skills: algorithmic module, Matlab, C&F, software development, system definition
This role has been open 107 days — well above the 36-day median for Software Engineering Semiconductor roles.
Software Engineering Semiconductor · EDA Tools
|
Open roles in category
126
|
Median days open
36 d
|
Median salary
$145k
|
See the full market breakdown ▾Category comparison, skills in demand, and who else is hiring
| Metric | Applied Materials | All employers we track in this specialty (126 roles · 28 employers) |
|---|---|---|
| Open roles in this specialty | 2 | 126 |
| Open roles in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family | 162 | 6296 · 145 employers |
| Median days open | 135 d | 36 d (+99 d vs this employer) |
| Median salary (USD postings) | — | $145k |
Skills observed across this category: algorithmic module, Matlab, C&F, software development, system definition
Who's hiring in this category
- Cadence Design Systems · 50 open roles · median 9 d
- Renesas Electronics · 14 open roles · median 40 d
- Synopsys · 7 open roles · median 96 d
- Keysight Technologies · 6 open roles · median 153 d
- Intel Corporation · 5 open roles · median 116 d
- KLA Corporation · 5 open roles · median 14 d
How we counted: 126 open Software Engineering Semiconductor (EDA Tools) roles from 28 employers tracked in the SemiconductorJobs index, counted 21 Oct 2026. Specialty figures count only roles carrying this exact specialty label, so an employer's related work in neighbouring specialties is not included there — it is counted in the wider Software, Firmware & Systems family row. Figures refresh nightly.