Design Lead Jobs in Santa Clara, CA
Design Lead jobs in Santa Clara, California are open across the metro, with employers like NVIDIA, Marvell Technology, and Intel hiring at every experience level. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 69+ Design Lead jobs
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:
$198,000.00 - $272,500.00Location:
Santa Clara,CAYou’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 .
We are looking for a Photonics Product Design Lead to support custom waveguide display product definition and specifications and manage the waveguide design roadmap for the Photonics Platforms Business . This role is pivotal in externally aligning product definition and timeline with customers and internally with design engineers and production team s . From within the waveguide design team, you will partner with process engineering, manufacturing equipment engineering, production , program management and business development teams to deliver the world-leading AR display platform that will enable high-performance and excellent aesthetics see-thru display s to enable mainstream smart glasses (100M units per year).
Customer-Facing Product Design
Lead technical scoping and alignment for Custom AR Display products for customers
Write Product Requirements Documents for different customers and market segments
Act as a technical lead part nered with an international Business Development team to intake new opportunities and translate customer requests in to product offerings
Clearly communicate internally customers’ requirements, priorities, areas of flexibility and inflexibility
Clearly communicate externally our technical capabilities, product offerings and roadmap
Internally and externally brainstorm solutions to customer s’ technical problems
Collaborate with design engineers, prototyping and production teams to decide product design scope and deliver winning prototypes to customers
Waveguide Design Roadmap
Maintain custom waveguide display design feature set and roadmap
Communicate status and technology milestones for critical areas of the roadmap
P artner with waveguide design, metrology, process engineering, manufacturing equipment engineering, production , program management and business development teams
Cross-function al Leadership
Partner with engineering, design, and marketing teams to translate technical capabilities into compelling product features
Communicate system and end-user benefits internally and externally
Communicate product vision and priorities to executive leadership and stakeholders.
Qualifications
Education: MS/PhD in Photonics or Optical Sciences
Experience:
10+ years in nano- photonics design in industry , including 5+ years in diffractive waveguide and AR/MR see-thru display design
Proven track record of designing , building and debugging AR/MR display s
Skills:
Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and leadership skills
Strong understanding of waveguide optics and AR display architectures
Strong understanding of Display Performance specifications and practical correlation to user experience
Practical hands-on experience with image quality assessment and see-thru artifacts unique to diffractive waveguides
Preferred Qualifications
Proven track record of leading design and yield improvements from prototype through XVT to production
Strong understanding of Cosmetics, Aesthetics and Mechanical specifications of AR displays
Experience with AI Glasses or Mixed-Reality Glasses system architecture, hardware require ments and user experience
Familiarity with global supply chain for optical components and consumer electronics
Ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and drive clarity across teams
Additional Information
Time Type:
Full timeEmployee Type:
Assignee / RegularTravel:
Not SpecifiedRelocation Eligible:
NoThe 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.
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:
$198,000.00 - $272,500.00Location:
Santa Clara,CAYou’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 .
We are looking for a Photonics Product Design Lead to support custom waveguide display product definition and specifications and manage the waveguide design roadmap for the Photonics Platforms Business . This role is pivotal in externally aligning product definition and timeline with customers and internally with design engineers and production team s . From within the waveguide design team, you will partner with process engineering, manufacturing equipment engineering, production , program management and business development teams to deliver the world-leading AR display platform that will enable high-performance and excellent aesthetics see-thru display s to enable mainstream smart glasses (100M units per year).
Customer-Facing Product Design
Lead technical scoping and alignment for Custom AR Display products for customers
Write Product Requirements Documents for different customers and market segments
Act as a technical lead part nered with an international Business Development team to intake new opportunities and translate customer requests in to product offerings
Clearly communicate internally customers’ requirements, priorities, areas of flexibility and inflexibility
Clearly communicate externally our technical capabilities, product offerings and roadmap
Internally and externally brainstorm solutions to customer s’ technical problems
Collaborate with design engineers, prototyping and production teams to decide product design scope and deliver winning prototypes to customers
Waveguide Design Roadmap
Maintain custom waveguide display design feature set and roadmap
Communicate status and technology milestones for critical areas of the roadmap
P artner with waveguide design, metrology, process engineering, manufacturing equipment engineering, production , program management and business development teams
Cross-function al Leadership
Partner with engineering, design, and marketing teams to translate technical capabilities into compelling product features
Communicate system and end-user benefits internally and externally
Communicate product vision and priorities to executive leadership and stakeholders.
Qualifications
Education: MS/PhD in Photonics or Optical Sciences
Experience:
10+ years in nano- photonics design in industry , including 5+ years in diffractive waveguide and AR/MR see-thru display design
Proven track record of designing , building and debugging AR/MR display s
Skills:
Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and leadership skills
Strong understanding of waveguide optics and AR display architectures
Strong understanding of Display Performance specifications and practical correlation to user experience
Practical hands-on experience with image quality assessment and see-thru artifacts unique to diffractive waveguides
Preferred Qualifications
Proven track record of leading design and yield improvements from prototype through XVT to production
Strong understanding of Cosmetics, Aesthetics and Mechanical specifications of AR displays
Experience with AI Glasses or Mixed-Reality Glasses system architecture, hardware require ments and user experience
Familiarity with global supply chain for optical components and consumer electronics
Ability to thrive in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and drive clarity across teams
Additional Information
Time Type:
Full timeEmployee Type:
Assignee / RegularTravel:
Not SpecifiedRelocation Eligible:
NoThe 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.
See All 69 Design Lead Jobs in Santa Clara
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Find Design Lead JobsDesign Lead Job Market in Santa Clara
Who's Hiring
- NVIDIA32
- Marvell Technology8
- Intel3
- Applied Materials3
- Nvidia2
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software31
- Electronics & Hardware25
- Artificial Intelligence7
- Law & Legal Services6
- Manufacturing1
Design Lead Jobs in Santa Clara: Frequently Asked Questions
How many design lead jobs are there in Santa Clara?
There are 69+ design lead openings in Santa Clara, California on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. New positions post regularly as Santa Clara employers hire.
Which companies hire design leads in Santa Clara?
Employers hiring design leads in Santa Clara include NVIDIA, Marvell Technology, and Intel, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026.
Are there remote design lead jobs in Santa Clara?
Yes. About 30% of design lead openings tied to Santa Clara are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. The rest are on-site roles based in and around Santa Clara.
Which industries hire the most design leads in Santa Clara?
Most design lead openings in Santa Clara sit in Technology & Software, Electronics & Hardware, and Artificial Intelligence, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026.
Related Jobs in California
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