Principal Architect – Middleware & Cloud Technologies

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.

Requirements

• Own, design, and build middleware and API platforms with strong hands‐on coding.
• Develop Python‐based microservices (FastAPI) and modern APIs using REST, gRPC (Protobuf), and GraphQL.
• Lead enterprise modernization from legacy, stored‐procedure‐centric systems to cloud‐native, API‐driven architectures.
• Drive GenAI‐assisted development for code generation, refactoring, SQL optimization, and productivity.
• Partner with cloud/infrastructure teams on Kubernetes / OpenShift, CI/CD, scalability, observability, and performance.
• Lead resolution of complex production issues across performance, data, and integration layers.
• Mentor budding engineers through hands‐on coding, pairing, design sessions, and code reviews.
• Act as a technical liaison to align architecture with stakeholder needs and delivery outcomes.
• Writes production-grade code regularly (this is not a review-only architect role).
• Personally implements core services, critical features, and PoCs.
• Hands-on in debugging, performance tuning, and incident/RCA fixes.
• Writes/optimizes complex SQL (CTEs, dynamic queries) on modern databases.
• Contributes to CI/CD, deployment readiness, and operational improvements.
• Practices pair programming and deep code walkthroughs, especially with junior engineers.
• Uses AI developer tools hands-on in day-to-day engineering work.