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Careers

Materia is always interested in meeting outstanding individuals who share our entrepreneurial spirit, our passion for innovation and our commitment to real-world change.

Please check the following job listing of our current needs. To apply for one of the open positions, please email your resume and salary history to hr@materia-inc.com or fax to +1.626.584.4271.

No phone calls, please.

Research Scientist / Engineer, Materials R & D

Department: Materials

Job Purpose:

Develop an understanding of the trends and limitations in the mechanical performance of current materials with an emphasis on continuous fiber composites

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Develop experimental plans in alignment with the needs of the Materials R&D group
  • Analyze, document, and communicate research data (Internal)
  • Identify and develop new characterization techniques to expand the group’s ability to solve materials-related challenges
  • Apply knowledge of fracture mechanics to failure analysis of composite materials
  • Support business development of composite materials through preparation of whitepapers and technical data sheets
  • Contribute to safe procedures for the project team

Position Requirements:

  • Knowledge of mechanical testing and fracture mechanics of polymer based composite materials
  • Expertise in developing new characterization and testing techniques
  • Ability to communicate key attributes of Materia technology internally and to the target industries
  • Familiarity with the preparation of composites is preferred

Education/Training/Experience:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent
  • Ph.D. in physical sciences / engineering is preferred
  • 0 to 5 years of experience

Physical Demands:

Some lifting, stooping, pushing, pulling, sitting, standing, and additional activities may be assigned to meet the business needs.

Manager, Business Development

Department: Business Development

Job Description

Business development at Materia focuses on conceptualizing, developing, and partnering novel applications for metathesis in industry. New applications can be generally understood as being either a) new products or b) new processes for existing products. The Manager, Business Development’s primary focus will be on developing and monetizing the latter applications. The employee will be based at Materia’s headquarters in Pasadena, CA and will report to Materia’s Vice President, Business Development.  More specifically, the Manager, Business Development will:

  • Identify potential applications for metathesis by reviewing industry literature and communicating with manufacturing divisions of chemical and material companies, contract manufacturers, and industry consultants. Recommend applications for paper-based scoping investigations.
  • Evaluate traditional routes and potential metathesis-based routes to short-listed products. Explore overall demand, unit costs, throughput, yields, and environmental characteristics to develop a value hypothesis. Consider technical viability and intellectual property impacts of the metathesis-based route.  Identify potential commercialization partners and business strategy.  Recommend applications for laboratory-based feasibility research.
  • Work with Materia R&D to efficiently generate data to substantiate or eliminate potential projects. Solicit customer buy-in for value hypothesis. Help Materia legal develop an IP strategy and draft patent filings.  Refine and recommend business strategy.
  • With senior management, pitch, structure, negotiate, and close win-win partnerships. Provide partners with ongoing support after deal closing.

Job Requirements

The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years experience in an innovative, strongly-branded chemical or industrial biotechnology company. Additional criteria:

  • Business mindset with some sales, marketing, or business development experience preferred.
  • Experience designing and implementing new chemical processes for commercial products.
  • Understanding of the chemical regulatory environment preferred.
  • Past success simultaneously managing and executing on multiple projects.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively practice the 80/20 rule.
  • Demonstrated creative problem solving skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills, and employee relations skills.
  • MSChE or BSChE

Composites Engineer

Department: Materials

Job Description:
Ability to lead technical investigations and support customers needs in the area of composite research, reports & summaries, part fabrication, and testing. Must provide technical support and direction to the Materials group and customers.

Job Requirements:

  • Minimum of BS in Engineering, Chemistry or related fields 7-10 years of experience
  • Experience with or in manufacture of composite structures involving product designing and process development
  • Self motivated with a demonstrated ability to work both independently and in teams
  • High level of organizational skills and ability to function and make sound decisions with minimal direction
  • Able to effectively communicate
  • Problem solver

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Fiber and fabric selection and sourcing
  • Participate in materials research and development
  • Evaluation and modification of fiber and fabric sizing’s
  • Resins formulation and analysis
  • Evaluate chemical and mechanical bonding through spectroscopy and microscopy
  • Fabricate composites through traditional methods including hand layup, RTM, VARTM, infusion, etc.
  • Evaluate composite part quality through mechanical and non-destructive techniques
  • Maintain and update relevant literature information and internal data
  • Prepare standard operating procedures (SOP) to include setup procedure, tool lists, operation sequence, process routings and other pertinent data to ensure that parts meet design intent and customer requirements. Updates documents as necessary
  • Ensure compliance with company safe working protocols
  • Stay current on new technologies related to composite application, processing, etc.
  • Design and oversee quality control tests and programs to monitor part quality
  • Other duties as assigned

Background Sought:

  • We are looking for a seasoned and experienced infusion processing expert. Someone who has been either building large scale composites with infusion molding techniques – i.e. Epoxy, Vinyl ester, and Polyester resins or someone who has worked for a materials company supporting infusion molding accounts.
  • Travel 50% of the time supporting customer trials and customer events.

Role:

Customer Interface:

  • Capable of travel to Europe and Asia. Competent in dealing with customers and protecting Materia’s knowledge and IP with customers.
  • Customer advocate within Materia – adept at collecting needed information.
  • Hands – on problem solving. We are looking for someone who is great with customers and knows how to solve problems on site.
  • Someone who can lead customer trials and create a positive experience for the customer with our resin.

Internal Leader:

  • Lead the internal learning and teach experience/ knowledge about our resin in large scale infusion trials and validation work – defining infusion parameters and cure cycles.
  • Building a technical support team.

Industry Interface:

  • Has the ability to give demonstrations in Pasadena to multiple customers
  • Can present technical papers or demonstrations at conferences and symposiums

Research Chemist (Polymers)

Job Description:
The Research Chemist (Polymers) is a motivated, “hands-on” individual in the field of polymer chemistry. This individual will play a leading role in applying Materia’s Nobel-prize winning technology in olefin metathesis to the area of novel, polymer-based materials and demonstrating their potential use in commercial applications.

Responsibilities:
Devise and carry out independent or team-oriented R&D projects approved by management in a timely, cost-efficient, and safe manner. Maintain careful records and produce reports and other documents to meet technology dissemination, patent protection, and/or quality control needs. This position will involve performing tasks such as monomer / polymer synthesis, optimization, sample preparation, and characterization by a variety of chemical, physical, or mechanical techniques.

Education and Training:
The Research Chemist is required to hold a Ph.D. degree in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry,Materials Science, or a related field. Requires excellent communication skills and knowledge of current laboratory techniques.

Technical Requirements:
Up to ten years of research experience (beyond dissertation research) in the field of polymer chemistry and polymer science. Industrial experience is desired but not a requirement. Essential skills include: good communication, creative problem-solving, record-keeping, knowledge of current laboratory techniques. The ability to work in a multidisciplinary, high-intensity environment is also required.

Managerial Experience:Not required.

Research Chemist

Job Description:
The Research Chemist performs various R&D projects and tasks related to the company’s technology and products.

Responsibilities:
Devise and carry out independent or team-oriented R&D tasks and projects approved by management in a time- and cost-efficient and safe manner. Maintain careful records and produce reports and other documents to meet technology dissemination, patent protection, and/or quality control needs. Maintain skills/knowledge by reading literature, taking courses, and/or attending technical meetings (refer to Employee Handbook for policies regarding Company support of these activities). May be asked to supervise other technical personnel including Chemists, Engineers, Technicians, and/or Operators. Perform other R&D tasks that may be required to support product development efforts and/or customer needs.

Organization Relationships:
The Research Chemist reports directly to the Manager, Director or Vice President of the applicable research department.

Education and Training:
The Research Chemist is required to hold a Ph.D. degree in Organic Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry (or a related field). Requires excellent communication skills and knowledge of current laboratory techniques.

Technical Requirements:
Up to ten years of related research experience (beyond dissertation research).

Managerial Experience:
Experience managing technical personnel is desirable but not required.

BS Chemist

Responsibilities:
Devise and carry out R&D tasks approved by management in a safe and efficient manner. Maintain careful records and produce reports and other documents to meet technology dissemination, patent protection, and/or quality control needs. Perform tasks such as chemical or polymer syntheses, chemical purifications, formulation or sample preparation, and chemical or mechanical analytical data collection and interpretation. Knowledge of GC, NMR, and IR techniques and data interpretation is preferred.

Job Requirements:
The Chemist is required to hold a minimum of a B.S. or B.A. degree or equivalent coursework in Chemistry (or a related field). Requires good oral and written communication skills; good time management skills, and excellent laboratory techniques.