Not a good place to work - Process Engineer Applied Materials Employee Review

1.0
Jun 1, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Nice people to work with and convenient Cafe

Cons

These are only from my experience in Etch group in Santa Clara: No system in place. No real problem solving. No right way to store the BKMs and learning, so many times issues are repeat. No respect for employees. Safety system is lacking. IP protection system is not efficient. TR system is not followed at its best. Many engineers are only glorified technicians. Long waiting time to get approvals due to unnecessary bureaucracy (even for urgent cases such as ergonomic equipment). Failing major strategies (like the TEL merger). Possible favoritism due to the knowledge of Mandarin language.

Explore other reviews about Applied Materials

5.0
May 13, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Wonderful staff - great company all around

Cons

Cannot think of any cons.

4.0
Jun 24, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good health insurance, pay is just enough to not quit, 4% 401k contribution gives 3% match, stock purchase program is 15% discount no annually. Work is hit and miss, sometimes your left to struggle and there very little support, other times things are planned out and well executed. This company promotes from within more often than not so there is a ladder to climb. The work is 12hr shifts which is good for long weekends, but if things are busy with lots of projects you will be asked to come in for overtime. 60hr weeks 2x a month is very common. You can say no, but it’s discouraged in a few ways 😉

Cons

Management is very hit and miss, for the last decade we’ve had the avg stay of a manger <1yr. If you have a good one, they get burnt out from unreasonable expectations, and if you have a bad one they’re so disconnected you get nothing out of it. As a whole, due to leadership being promoted from within they tend to be very resistant to making any changes to their system because it worked a decade ago. This industry moves rapidly, because it was the best a decade ago does not mean it’s the best today. The raise structure is silly. Every year they’ve changed to it to have more disconnect from you and the people who approve raises. Most managers claim they’re told how much each employee is getting from someone that the employee is never met, and then have to argue over how to distribute an additional 5% over the entire team. This means if you work as hard as you can, and really stand out from your peers, you can get an additional 2% for an annual raise and your manager will claim that the best possible.

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