Job Title: Senior Research Scientist (Optical Materials)

Company: Cambium

Location: El Segundo, CA

Job Type: Full-Time (On-Site)

Overview: Cambium is seeking a collaboration-oriented, results-driven Senior Research Engineer to join the optical materials innovation and scale-up team, bridging the gap between new polymer materials discoveries and high-performance commercial and defense applications. Key responsibilities of this role will include leading team members in technical and manufacturing specifications for and production of new materials at an advanced level of commercial readiness. This will require the ability to solve technical problems, both independently and as part of a team, in developing new products and new manufacturing processes for operation in an aeronautical environment.

These activities will involve extensive collaboration with test engineering, product prototyping, business development, as well as supplier and subcontractor interactions. Significant aspects of the position include developing synthesis and formulation; testing protocols; analyzing data; design and control of equipment; troubleshooting both R&D and manufacturing equipment. It is expected there will be opportunities to contribute to other programs of interest to the company including laser eyewear protection. As Cambium experiences rapid growth, the responsibilities for this role are expected to evolve.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Technical Expertise:

· Lead the design, synthesis and/or formulation of high-performance coatings, polymers, and/or (dyes) for aerospace and defense applications involving optics

· Design, test, and analyze new material and processing formulations and approaches for optics application with the intent to converge toward product commercialization

· Oversee the development, planning, and execution of test procedures in conjunction with end-users, partners, and stakeholders

· Contribute to the build-out of product prototyping and testing facilities and capabilities

· Learn from system development and iterate for continuous improvement, while ensuring that the system scalability

· Demonstrated problem solving ability in a laboratory environment

2. Operational Expertise:

· Communicate clearly and concisely key concepts, development status, performance outcomes, and lessons learned to senior leadership, investors, and collaborators

· Collaborate across multiple teams including world-class experts in biomaterials, polymer science, composites, optics, aerospace components, and defense products

· Understand current technology and pitch future enhancements and strategies.

· Create and contribute to product demonstration and engineering teams in a manner consistent with Cambium’s mission and values and the growth of Cambium’s business

· Communicate (telephone/email/in-person) engagement with government and industry.

· Work with operators and technicians to troubleshoot process issues and develop solutions.

· Develop plant Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for process and equipment operation.

Qualifications:

· M.S. or Ph.D. in a relevant technology field (i.e., Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Material Science, Optics, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, etc.).

· At least 3-5 years of industrial experience in the development of advanced materials and polymers for use in high-performance applications

· Technical writing, proposal preparation, and technical presentation.

· Strong communication and collaboration skills

· NOTE - Must be a U.S. Citizen due to clients under U.S. government contracts.

Other Desirable Qualifications:

· Knowledgeable in optics coating: Anti-Reflective (AR), highly reflective (HR), and/or filters for optical devices

· Experience with methods like E-beam deposition, sputtering, vacuum deposition, Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), etc...

· Knowledgeable with nano-texturing or fabrication methods

· Handling of inorganic materials (including Schleck line and glove-box experience)

· Experience in characterizing the physical properties of high-performance materials for aerospace

· Participation in the complete technology development cycle: design to field testing.

· Maintain discretion when working with confidential and proprietary information

Compensation: $90-150K