Mechanical Engineer III – Value Engineering

About the role

Applied Materials, a global leader in materials science and engineering solutions for semiconductors and advanced displays, is hiring a Mechanical Engineer III focused on value engineering in Gloucester, MA. The engineer uses a strong foundation in physics, mathematics and materials science to solve mechanical problems, design and implement custom tooling and processes, and drive cost optimization, supply chain alignment and product lifecycle improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Analyze and resolve complex mechanical issues across systems, subsystems, fabricated structures, machined components, sheet metal assemblies and purchased parts, with focus on cost reduction, supply resiliency, manufacturability and reliability.
• Lead or run value engineering initiatives such as cost reduction projects, alternate material evaluations, supplier transitions, process changes and component redesigns.
• Develop, modify and optimize mechanical designs, machined components and tooling while keeping system performance and product requirements.
• Partner with suppliers to develop, qualify and improve components, assemblies, coatings, fabricated structures and manufacturing processes.
• Apply Design for Cost (DfC), Design for Manufacturability (DfM), Design for Assembly (DfA) and Design for Supply Chain (DfSC) principles.
• Support ECO evaluation and execution, NPI cost evaluation, design convergence and localization efforts.
• Work with Engineering, Supply Chain Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Global Commodity Management, Quality and Program Management teams.
• Run mechanical validation and qualification testing (structural, thermal, vibration, fatigue, environmental, reliability) and engineering analysis (GD&T, tolerance stack-up, material selection, thermal performance, structural integrity, process capability).
• Generate and review engineering specifications, supplier requirements, test plans, qualification documentation and released drawings.
• Drive supplier qualification, multi-sourcing and first article evaluations, and contribute to savings validation, PPV support, cost modeling and should-cost analysis.
• Communicate technical tradeoffs involving cost, performance, manufacturability, reliability and supply chain to influence business decisions.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• 4-7 years of experience in mechanical, product, manufacturing, supplier or related engineering roles.
• Strong experience with mechanical design principles: sheet metal, weldments, machined components, structural analysis, material selection and GD&T.
• Demonstrated application of Design for Excellence (DfX) principles, especially DfC and DfM.
• Experience supporting engineering changes, supplier technical discussions and cross-functional product development.
• Works independently with minimal guidance and acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience.

Required skills

• Proficiency with CAD systems and engineering documentation practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Preferred: experience in value engineering, supplier or manufacturing engineering; knowledge of NPI, ECO and supplier qualification; experience with sheet metal, weldments, machining, castings, coatings and assembly; knowledge of should-cost analysis and VA/VE; familiarity with semiconductor capital equipment; knowledge of quality systems, failure analysis and reliability methods.

What we offer

• Salary of $108,000 to $148,500.
• A comprehensive benefits package, with possible eligibility for a bonus and stock award program.