Lam Research H1B Sponsorship 2026: Salaries, Approval Rate & Process
Lam Research — Semiconductor Etch & Deposition Equipment
Does Lam Research Sponsor H1B Visas?
Lam Research sponsors approximately 700 H1B petitions annually with an 88% approval rate and $168K average prevailing wage. Lam is the world's leading supplier of plasma etch and deposition equipment for advanced semiconductor manufacturing. H1B hiring is concentrated in Fremont CA (HQ), Portland OR, and Tualatin OR.
H1B Sponsorship by Division
Plasma Process Engineering
H1B Volume: Very HighLam's defining technical domain. Plasma etch and deposition process engineers are the primary H1B drivers — unambiguous specialty occupations with near-zero RFE rates at Lam.
Equipment & Mechanical Engineering
H1B Volume: HighLam's equipment engineering team designs the physical chambers, gas delivery, and thermal management systems for its etch and deposition tools. Strong specialty occupation documentation.
Software & Controls Engineering
H1B Volume: HighSoftware engineers developing equipment control systems and process recipe automation are consistent H1B filers. Strong specialty occupation documentation.
Research & Advanced Development
H1B Volume: MediumLam's advanced R&D organization developing next-generation etch and deposition technologies for 3nm and below nodes. Highly specialized roles with strong EB-1A potential.
Lam Research H1B Salary Ranges 2026
| Role | Level | Base Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Principal Engineer | Senior | $215,000 – $295,000 |
| Principal Engineer | Senior | $185,000 – $255,000 |
| Senior Process Engineer | Mid-Senior | $168,000 – $228,000 |
| Process Engineer III | Mid | $138,000 – $185,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer | Senior | $172,000 – $235,000 |
| Software Engineer | Mid | $142,000 – $192,000 |
| Research Scientist | Senior | $182,000 – $252,000 |
| Applications Engineer | Mid-Senior | $155,000 – $212,000 |
Source: USCIS LCA data, Levels.fyi, Glassdoor 2024–2025.
H1B Approval Rate & Key Risks
Lam Research Strengths
- • 88% H1B approval rate — strong for equipment sector
- • $168K average wage — highest among non-FAANG semiconductor employers
- • World's leading plasma etch company — globally recognized specialty occupation
- • CHIPS Act demand surge driving accelerating H1B volume
- • PERM initiated within 18 months
- • Fremont CA — Bay Area location with strong talent ecosystem
Risks to Monitor
- • Fremont CA is suburban — not San Francisco proper
- • India EB-2 backlog applies
- • Some roles require travel to customer fabs globally (TSMC, Samsung, Intel)
- • Semiconductor equipment market can be cyclical
- • Senior Principal level roles require deep domain experience — slow progression from entry level
Lam Research Green Card Sponsorship
Lam Research initiates PERM within 12–18 months for eligible H1B employees. Lam's senior technical staff have strong EB-1A profiles given their plasma physics publications, semiconductor conference presentations (AVS, APS, IEDM), and extensive patent portfolios in etch and deposition. Lam's immigration team actively advises on EB-1A eligibility for Principal Engineers and Research Scientists.
How to Get Hired at Lam Research on H1B
Target Plasma Process and Applications Engineering Openings
Lam's Process Engineer and Applications Engineer roles are the core H1B positions with the best specialty occupation documentation and most direct fit for plasma physics and surface science expertise.
Apply via lamresearch.com/careers
Fremont CA, Portland OR, and Tualatin OR are primary sites. Lam recruits at AVS, APS, ACS, and top materials science and physics programs (Caltech, MIT, Stanford, UCSB).
Build Plasma Physics or Surface Science Expertise
Expertise in plasma chemistry, reactive ion etching, atomic layer deposition, or surface science is the most direct path to Lam's core H1B roles.
Technical Interviews
Process Engineering: plasma physics, etch selectivity, endpoint detection, wet cleaning chemistry. Equipment Engineering: vacuum systems, thermal management, gas delivery design. Software: real-time control, Python/C++ for equipment interfaces.
H1B Transfer
Current H1B holders can transfer to Lam Research. Premium processing available. Lam actively recruits from Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, and ASML.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lam Research sponsor H1B visas?
Yes. Lam Research sponsors approximately 700 H1B petitions annually for Process Engineers, Applications Engineers, Software Engineers, and Research Scientists. H1B hiring is concentrated in Fremont CA, Portland OR, and Tualatin OR.
What is Lam Research's H1B approval rate?
Lam Research's H1B approval rate is approximately 88%. Plasma Process Engineer and Applications Engineer roles have near-zero RFE rates — plasma etch is a highly specialized technical domain with unambiguous specialty occupation status.
What is the average H1B salary at Lam Research?
The average H1B prevailing wage at Lam Research is approximately $168,000. Senior Principal Engineers earn $215K–$295K. Research Scientists earn $182K–$252K. Senior Software Engineers earn $172K–$235K.
Does Lam Research sponsor green cards?
Yes. Lam initiates PERM within 12–18 months. Principal Engineers and Research Scientists with AVS, APS, or IEDM publications and semiconductor patents frequently meet EB-1A criteria.
How does Lam compare to Applied Materials for H1B?
Lam pays slightly more on average ($168K vs $162K at Applied Materials). Both are excellent semiconductor equipment H1B employers. Lam focuses on etch and deposition; Applied Materials has a broader portfolio. For plasma etch roles, Lam is the world leader. For deposition breadth, Applied Materials is more comprehensive.