Director, AI Lab

## The group you\u2019ll be a part of\n\nShape the future of AI at enterprise scale while building it from the ground up as the launch\u2011stage Director of Lam\u2019s Applied AI \u0026 Innovation Lab.\n\nLam Research is establishing a new AI Lab in Fremont, CA to accelerate the creation of advanced, high-impact AI solutions across the company. We are seeking a Director, AI Lab to lead the creation, operation, and long-term evolution of this lab as a center of excellence for AI solution prototyping, experimentation, and applied innovation.\n\nThe AI Lab will function as a hands-on innovation environment where internal teams\u2014from product groups and engineering to operations and corporate functions\u2014can rapidly develop, test, and mature AI-driven solutions. This role is responsible for setting the technical vision, building the lab\u2019s capabilities, and ensuring outputs transition effectively from prototype to production-scale deployment.\n\nJoin us to lead the innovation as Lam\u0027s FIRST Director at our new AI Lab.\n\n## The impact you\u2019ll make\n\nAI Lab Vision \u0026 Strategy\n\n * Define the mission, scope, and operating model of Lam\u2019s AI Lab, aligned with enterprise AI strategy and business priorities.\n * Establish the AI Lab as a destination for rapid prototyping, applied research, and solution acceleration, bridging experimentation and real-world business impact.\n * Identify priority AI technology themes and technical focus areas (e.g., ML, GenAI, vision, optimization, agents, automation) relevant to Lam\u2019s businesses.\n\n\n\nTechnical Leadership \u0026 Solution Development\n\n * Lead hands-on development of AI prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and experimental solutions across products, engineering, manufacturing, operations, and corporate functions.\n * Guide technical teams in selecting and applying appropriate AI architectures, models, tools, and platforms.\n * Ensure solutions are designed with scalability, robustness, and transition-to-production in mind, aligning with enterprise AI foundations and delivery standards.\n\n\n\n## What you\u2019ll do\n\nCollaboration \u0026 Engagement\n\nPartner with internal business units, engineering teams, and corporate functions to identify high-value AI opportunities and co-develop solutions.\n\nProvide an environment where domain experts can work side-by-side with AI engineers and data scientists to accelerate solution development.\n\nServe as a technical thought leader and advisor to senior leadership on advanced AI technologies and their practical application within Lam.\n\nOperational Excellence\n\nBuild and manage the AI Lab\u2019s operating processes, including project intake, prioritization, resourcing, and execution.\n\nEstablish best practices for experimentation, model validation, and knowledge sharing.\n\nEnsure effective handoff of successful prototypes to product teams, engineering organizations, or AI product management for scaling and deployment.\n\nTalent \u0026 Culture Development\n\nRecruit, develop, and lead a high-performing team of AI engineers, researchers, and technical specialists.\n\nFoster a culture of innovation, experimentation, and technical rigor within the AI Lab.\n\nHelp elevate AI literacy and applied AI capabilities across Lam through mentorship, demonstrations, and technical engagement.\n\n## Who we\u2019re looking for\n\nRequired Qualifications\n\n * Deep expertise in AI and machine learning technologies, including hands-on experience building and deploying advanced AI systems.\n * Proven experience leading technical AI teams in environments focused on innovation, prototyping, or advanced solution development.\n * Strong understanding of end-to-end AI solution development, from experimentation through production handoff.\n * Ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and business audiences.\n * Demonstrated leadership in fast-moving, ambiguous environments.\n\n\n\n## In addition.... \n\nPreferred Qualifications\n\nExperience with enterprise-scale AI platforms, data infrastructure, or MLOps-enabled delivery models.\n\nFamiliarity with industrial, engineering, manufacturing, or enterprise workflows.\n\nExperience in the semiconductor industry (capital equipment or process technology) is a strong plus, but not required.\n\nAdvanced degree (MS or PhD) in Computer Science, Engineering, AI/ML, or a related field.\n\nLeadership Attributes\n\nBuilder mindset with a bias toward action and iteration.\n\nTechnically credible and hands-on, with the ability to dive deep when needed.\n\nComfortable operating at the boundary between research, engineering, and business.\n\nCollaborative, curious, and passionate about translating cutting-edge AI into real business value.\n\n## Why This Role Matters\n\nThe Director, AI Lab will play a pivotal role in accelerating Lam\u2019s AI transformation by creating a space where advanced AI concepts become real, usable solutions. This role ensures Lam not only keeps pace with AI innovation, but actively shapes how AI is applied across semiconductor equipment, engineering, and enterprise operations.\n\n## Our commitment\n\n \n\nWe believe it is important for every person to feel valued, included, and empowered to achieve their full potential. By bringing unique individuals and viewpoints together, we achieve extraordinary results.\n\nLam Research (\"Lam\" or the \"Company\") is an equal opportunity employer. Lam is committed to and reaffirms support of equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination in employment policies, practices and procedures on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. It is the Company\u0027s intention to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees.\n\nLam offers a variety of work location models based on the needs of each role. Our hybrid roles combine the benefits of on-site collaboration with colleagues and the flexibility to work remotely and fall into two categories \u2013 On-site Flex and Virtual Flex. \u2018On-site Flex\u2019 you\u2019ll work 3+ days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, with the opportunity to work remotely for the balance of the week. \u2018Virtual Flex\u2019 you\u2019ll work 1-2 days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, and remotely the rest of the time.\n\nSalary\n\nCA San Francisco Bay Area Salary Range for this position: $168,000.00 - $350,000.00.\n\nThe above salary range for this position is relevant to applicants that reside or work onsite in the California, San Francisco Bay Area only. Salary offers will depend on factors that include the location you work from, your level, education, training, specific skills, years of experience and comparison to other employees already in this role. Actual salary may vary from salary offered due to numerous factors including but not limited to unpaid time off, unpaid leave, company mandated shutdown, and other relevant factors.\n\nOur Perks and Benefits \n\n\nAt Lam, our people make amazing things possible. That\u2019s why we invest in you throughout the phases of your life with a comprehensive set of outstanding benefits.\n