AR Glass Substrate Expert – Glass Melting & High Index Glass Process Development

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:

$176,000.00 - $242,000.00

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. 

About the Role

We are looking for a seasoned materials and process expert to lead the development of advanced glass substrates for AR/MR waveguides. This role combines deep knowledge of glass melting technology, high‑refractive‑index glass formulation, and precision thickness control with the ability to scale processes from R&D to high‑volume manufacturing. You will work at the intersection of optics, materials science, and manufacturing innovation to enable next‑generation immersive experiences.

Expertise

• Glass Material Development
  • Research and develop high‑index optical glass compositions optimized for AR applications.
  • Deep understanding of melting and forming processes to achieve superior optical properties and minimal defects.
• Process Engineering
  • Design and implement thickness and flatness control strategies (TTV, wedge, transmitted wavefront).
  • Develop advanced metrology and SPC systems to ensure substrate quality.
• Scale‑Up & Manufacturing
  • Experience in transitioning lab‑scale processes to 300 mm wafer platforms and high‑volume production.
  • Collaborate with glass vendor, equipment vendors and suppliers to establish robust process windows with right cost structure.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with optics, photonics, and hardware teams to integrate substrates into AR waveguide designs.
  • Drive co‑optimization of materials, design, and process for efficiency and color uniformity.
• Innovation & IP
  • Contribute to patents and internal best‑practice documentation.
  • Stay ahead of industry trends and define next‑generation substrate roadmaps.

Required Qualifications

• Education: MS or PhD in Materials Science, Glass Science, Applied Physics, or related field.
• Experience:
  • Proven expertise in glass melting and forming technologies.
  • Hands‑on experience with high‑index glass development and optical‑grade substrate processing.
  • Familiarity with NIL vs. etched grating processes and AR waveguide integration.
• Skills:
  • Strong understanding of refractive index engineering and optical performance metrics.
  • Proficiency in metrology for thickness, flatness, and transmitted wavefront.
  • Ability to scale processes from prototype to mass production.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AR/MR waveguide substrates and thin‑glass handling.
• Knowledge of CMP/polishing, coatings, and surface quality optimization.
• Background in supplier engagement and cost‑performance trade‑offs for large‑scale glass manufacturing.

Why Join Us

You will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AR optics by delivering ultra‑flat, high‑index glass substrates that meet stringent optical and manufacturing requirements. Your work will directly impact the performance and scalability of next‑generation AR devices.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 10% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

Yes

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.

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.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at [email protected], or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.