Senior Manager, EPIC and Lab Security Operations, Santa Clara

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.

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. 

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We are seeking an experienced security leader to lead the security strategy, operational readiness, and day-to-day physical security program for Applied Materials’ EPIC Center in Santa Clara, California. The Senior Manager of Security Operations – EPIC Center is responsible for protecting personnel, intellectual property, customer information, and physical assets while enabling collaboration across a complex semiconductor research and development environment. This role combines strategic program leadership with hands-on operational oversight of lab security, customer and partner access, contract security services, and physical security systems. The ideal candidate will translate business and customer requirements into practical, scalable security controls and a consistent, service-oriented operating model.

The position partners closely with EPIC leadership, lab and business unit leaders, customer-facing teams, Global Security, the Global Security Operations Center (GSOC), Facilities, Environmental Health and Safety, IT, HR, Legal, Procurement, Finance, and construction and commissioning teams. Key priorities include transitioning security programs from construction and commissioning into sustained operations; establishing clear access governance and operating procedures; validating security system readiness; and maintaining customer trust through consistent protection of sensitive work areas and intellectual property. The role owns operational plans, budgets, vendor accountability, and performance reporting, using approved analytics, automation, and AI tools where appropriate to improve efficiency without compromising confidential or customer information.

This position is supported by the Director of Security, California and is an onsite role, based in Sunnyvale, CA. The role requires travel up to 10%.

Program Components Include

• EPIC Physical Security and Contract Security Operations

• Security Incident Management and Investigations Support

• Lab, Customer, and Intellectual Property Protection

• Access Governance, Badging, Visitor Management, and Material Movement Controls

• Security Systems Readiness, Commissioning, and Operational Transition

• Business Continuity, Incident Command, and Crisis Response

Key Responsibilities & Strategic Leadership

·         Lead EPIC’s security strategy and operating model, aligning protection of personnel, intellectual property, and customer assets with research, development, and collaboration priorities.

·         Oversee contract security services, including staffing models, post orders, officer training, patrols, screening, escorts, and service-level accountability for EPIC buildings, labs, and supporting areas.

·         Establish KPIs, risk indicators, and operational dashboards covering access compliance, security system readiness, incident trends, staffing coverage, vendor performance, and corrective-action closure; communicate priorities and gaps to leadership.

·         Own EPIC physical access governance, including zone and access-level matrices, authorization workflows, badging, visitor and contractor access, escort requirements, periodic access reviews, and coordination of required background-check verification with responsible functions.

·         Develop and maintain EPIC security policies, standard operating procedures, training, and awareness programs for employees, officers, contractors, hosts, and customer-facing teams, with clear responsibilities and escalation paths.

·         Manage security operating budgets, staffing forecasts, procurement requirements, vendor scopes, and invoice validation; develop resource and funding recommendations tied to EPIC occupancy, risk, and operational demand.

·         Lead security readiness for phased occupancy and the transition from construction to operations, coordinating pre–Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) and TCO security milestones, commissioning checks, issue resolution, and operational handover with project stakeholders.

·         Lead security incident response and after-hours escalations as needed; coordinate with GSOC, crisis management, emergency responders, and internal partners on investigations support, exercises, business continuity, and corrective actions.

·         Serve as the security business partner to EPIC leadership, lab owners, and customer-facing teams; translate customer protection requirements into coordinated access, segregation, visitor, and material movement controls in partnership with Legal and Global Security.

·         Oversee physical security system requirements and operational validation, including card readers, door programming, camera coverage, alarms, and GSOC integration; coordinate testing, deficiency tracking, and maintenance with technical and facilities partners.

·         Select, develop, and manage assigned security personnel; establish clear ownership, training expectations, and coverage plans to support consistent EPIC operations and a professional employee and customer experience.

·         Conduct physical security risk assessments and access-control reviews; prioritize remediation and apply approved analytics, automation, and AI tools to improve reporting, planning, and operational effectiveness while protecting sensitive information.

·         Maintain effective partnerships with Global Security, Facilities, Environmental Health and Safety, IT, Procurement, Finance, Legal, HR, and external public agencies to resolve operational dependencies and sustain EPIC security and resiliency standards.

Skills, Knowledge, Experience & Education

The ideal candidate will have the following:

• 10+ years of experience in a corporate security related field.

• 5+ years’ experience leading multi-location organizations for a technology company, with experience supporting complex lab, research and development, or other sensitive operating environments.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience; relevant certifications (e.g., CTH, CPP, CPO, or similar) a plus.

• Established network of industry peers from common security disciplines, organizations, and professional associations.

• Experience developing security governance, access authorization matrices, SOPs, KPIs/KRIs, dashboards, and readiness reporting for phased occupancy and sustained operations.

• Strong collaboration and influencing skills across senior leadership, lab operations, customer-facing teams, Global Security, Facilities, construction teams, IT, HR, Legal, and business operations.

• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills with the ability to perform effectively during high-pressure situations.

• Deep knowledge of physical security and intellectual property protection practices, including lab segregation, customer confidentiality, access control, visitor management, screening, and security risk assessments.

• Experience with access control and video management systems, door programming requirements, alarm response, system commissioning, business continuity, and emergency management in partnership with safety and technical teams.

• Commitment to fostering a culture of security, preparedness, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Customer-focused and service-oriented mindset, with the ability to enable collaboration while consistently enforcing security and confidentiality requirements.

• Excellent presentation and communication abilities, including translating security risks, readiness gaps, and resource requirements into clear executive and customer-facing communications.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and common security applications; practical experience using approved analytics, automation, or AI tools for planning and reporting, with sound judgment regarding confidential information.

• Experience managing contract security providers, staffing plans, operating budgets, procurement activities, and vendor service levels; semiconductor or advanced-technology facility experience preferred.

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Other Suitability Factors

Succeeding in this role requires a capacity for complexity and a temperament that includes:

• Demonstrates a balanced leadership style with confidence, professionalism, and a collaborative approach.
• Brings positive energy, accountability, and a strong focus on employee safety and operational resilience.
• Process-oriented with the ability to build strong working relationships across teams and business functions.
• Effective communicator who can engage and collaborate with employees, leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders at all levels.
• Self-motivated and committed to continuous improvement, operational effectiveness, and program success.
• Demonstrated good judgment, situational awareness, and effective decision-making during complex, sensitive, or high-pressure situations.
• Ability to translate security and threat information into practical guidance, risk decisions, and business-appropriate mitigation.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

No

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.

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 Accommodations_Program@amat.com, 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.