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:

$206,000.00 - $283,500.00

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.

Director, Intellectual Property Counsel

Applied Materials, Inc. is the global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce the world’s most advanced chips and displays. Our technologies enable the innovations that power AI, IoT, and the devices that connect and enrich our world. If you are driven to shape the future of materials science and advanced manufacturing, join us and help deliver the next generation of breakthroughs.

About the Role

Join our collaborative and forward‑thinking Legal & Compliance Organization (LCO). Reporting into the IP Legal (IPL) team, you will serve as a strategic partner to product groups and executive leadership. In this role, you will provide high‑impact counsel on a broad range of intellectual property matters—spanning patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, and IP‑related transactions.

We are looking for a seasoned, business‑savvy IP counsel who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and is passionate about enabling innovation while protecting the company’s competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic IP counsel to technical teams, business leaders, and senior management across patents, trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, and key IP transactions (e.g., NDAs, JDAs, SRAs).
• Lead IP landscape analysis, risk assessments, freedom‑to‑operate evaluation, and development of long‑term IP sustainability strategies.
• Manage global patent and trademark portfolios, including drafting, prosecution, foreign filings, and portfolio optimization; oversee associated budgets and outside counsel.
• Partner with LCO colleagues to formulate and execute IP procurement, enforcement, and defensive strategies.
• Design and implement IP protection programs, including engineering training, risk‑mitigation processes, and best practices for safeguarding proprietary technology.
• Drive IP operational improvements, including policy updates, process enhancements, and alignment with global IP business needs.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong intellectual capacity and high personal standards of excellence
• Strong business and technology acumen; capacity to understand the business and technology quickly
• Understand how to translate business needs into IP portfolio development & management
• Passionate, proactive, highly motivated self-starter
• Ability to work independently on a wide variety of tasks and drive results
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple competing tasks/projects at the same time
• Excellent organizational skills, including attention to detail and ability to create specific action plans based on general guidance and deliver results
• Ability to see the big picture and identify and design-out problems from the outset; continuous improvement mindset
• Strong customer focus, both internal and external
• Ability to work collaboratively across organizational boundaries, and with a diverse group of colleagues and internal clients in multiple countries
• Ability to lead and ability to perform as part of a team
• Flexible, personable and enjoys a dynamic corporate culture

#LI

Basic Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.

Active U.S. state bar membership (CA preferred but not required).

USPTO Registration required.

Technical degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, or Materials Science.

10+ years of IP legal experience in a law firm and/or in‑house environment, with demonstrated expertise in:

• U.S. and international patent portfolio development & management, especially in Asia.
• Drafting and negotiating IP‑intensive agreements, including licensing, collaboration, research, and technology development agreements.
• IP laws and practices in Asia, including China, Korea, and Taiwan.
• Experience in IP enforcement, litigation strategy, claim construction, invalidity, and infringement analysis (preferred).
• Familiarity with global patent operations—administration, billing, docketing practices (preferred).

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 25% 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.

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.