Director of Applications Development

Business Unit: Oxford Instruments AFM

Location: Santa Barbara, CA (in-person)

Job Title: Director of Applications Development

Reports to:  President, Oxford Instruments AFM

 

About Oxford Instruments:

 

Our purpose is to accelerate the breakthroughs that create a brighter future for our world. Our technology and scientific expertise enable our customers to discover and bring to market exciting new advances that drive human progress. We aim to be the scientific instrumentation partner in every significant lab and production facility across the world.

 

Oxford Instruments Asylum Research is manufacturer of nanotechnology instrumentation for industry and research. Specifically, we design, build and sell Atomic Force Microscopes (AFM) which are used to analyze material topography, elasticity, conductivity and other properties.

 

We are part of the wider Oxford Instruments Group that includes the Imaging & Analysis Division. The I&A Division includes Andor Technology, our Electron Microscopy products, NanoIndentor, Raman products and NMR product lines.  Plasma Technology and X-Ray Technology are part of the Advanced Technology Division. With a sixty-year history, and fourteen Queen’s Awards and a King’s Award for Enterprise, our world-class products and technologies are helping our customers to address the greatest challenges of the 21st century

 

We want to empower our employees so that they innovate, support our growth and improve our productivity. We support them to make the right decisions and reach their full potential as they develop their careers at Oxford Instruments. Our ways of working are lived every day and are as follows:

 

• We start with the customer
• We succeed by being focused
• We make and keep our promises
• We work together as one team
• We help and trust each other to succeed

 

About the Opportunity:

 

The Director of Applications Development will drive the creation of high‑value AFM applications that strengthen our competitive position, expand market adoption, and support long‑term business growth. As a key member of the AFM senior leadership team, this role combines deep technical expertise with strategic vision to guide our applications roadmap and deliver measurable commercial impact.

 

Key Job Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

 

Strategic Leadership

• Develop AFM applications that support revenue growth, market expansion, and differentiation.
• As part of the senior leadership team, provide strategic guidance on product and application direction.
• Develop and deliver VoC that translates customer needs/pain points and market trends into applications that enhance product value and accelerate sales.
• Collaborate with R&D, Product Management, Engineering, and Sales/Marketing to align applications with customer priorities.
• Contribute to global business goals through collaborative and data‑driven input.

 

Applications Development & Innovation

• Lead the product science team in designing, validating, and launching advanced AFM applications.
• Maintain and grow a strong applications portfolio for existing and emerging markets.
• Drive innovation by introducing new techniques, workflows, and solutions to enhance our technology.
• Oversee creation of clear, high‑quality documentation that supports customer success and sales enablement.

 

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide technical and strategic leadership to a scientific team.
• Mentor and develop team members and build succession strategies that ensure sustained scientific team capabilities.
• Foster a high-performance culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

 

Cross Functional & Customer Engagement

• Support the regional applications team with best practices, test methodologies, and troubleshooting guidance.
• Identify common opportunities, challenges, and themes across territories to inform future applications.
• Engage with strategic customers, leveraging insights to shape future applications that drive business growth.

 

 

Project & Operational Management

• Manage applications development projects from concept through deployment.
• Oversee budgets, timelines, and resources to maximize efficiency and impact.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and corporate standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications:

 

• Ph.D. in Physics, Materials Science or a related field
• 10+ years of experience across a broad range of AFM applications.
• 5+ years of experience leading projects from concept to production.
• 3+ years managing or leading a scientific team.
• Must have a demonstrated record of scientific publications or equivalent scientific contributions.
• Strong commercial acumen with demonstrated ability to create AFM applications that influence purchasing decisions and support commercial success.
• Proven experience collaborating with senior leadership on strategic initiatives.
• Strong track record of leading a team including mentoring and developing technical talent.
• Excellent project leadership, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong problem‑solving abilities and creative thinking.
• Effective prioritization, time management, and a results‑driven approach.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and process optimization.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

 

• Experience developing AFM applications for the semiconductor industry.

 

Salary:

 

in accordance with California law, the expected salary for this full-time, benefited position is between $151,000 - $191,000, plus a management bonus. The actual compensation will be determined considering factors such as relevant skills and experience and other factors permitted by law.

 

Oxford Instruments Perks and Benefits:

 

• Generous benefit packages - We offer our employees competitive health insurance options, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans.
• Our 401k program has options for saving both pre- and post-tax dollars for retirement.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) Work-life balance is a key part of our company culture here at OI, and we know that our employees do their best work when they can take the time they need to rest and recharge. Employees start with 4 weeks of PTO, which is accrued each pay period.
• Holidays - We recognize 12 holidays this year
• In addition to all the standard PTO options, Oxford Instruments proudly offers a generous and progressive paid family leave policy.
• Professional Development - Oxford Instruments supports you and your professional development with $5,250 available in annual tuition reimbursement after 6 months of service.

 

Oxford Instruments is an equal opportunity employer.

 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Oxford Instruments is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

 

E-Verify:

 

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the I-9 Form.

 

Note to recruitment agencies:

 

Oxford Instruments does not accept agency CV’s. Please do not forward details to our jobs alias, Oxford Instruments employees or any other company location. Oxford Instruments is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited CV’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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