Unknown Company

Principal Engineer – Polymer Materials

baltimore, md • Posted 3 days ago
Onsite Full Time Engineering

  • Lead development of new polymer resin systems, adhesives, toughened matrix systems, and composite formulations for advanced structures
  • Direct synthesis, chemical modification, and formulation of polymer systems to achieve desired structural, processing, and durability characteristics
  • Develop new or improved composite lay-up, cure, bonding, and consolidation processes linked to material chemistry
  • Act as the technical focal point for all polymer material selection, performance definition, and risk assessment
  • Establish and lead test programs for polymer materials including chemical, thermal, rheological, physical, and mechanical characterization
  • Analyze material behavior under various environmental, structural, and processing conditions
  • Develop and maintain material specifications, process specifications, and qualification plans
  • Ensure compliance with customer requirements, regulatory standards, and industry specifications for composite materials
  • Work with manufacturing and process engineering teams to translate polymer material behavior into robust production processes
  • Support development of prototype parts, early process trials, and validation builds used to test new material systems
  • Investigate material-processing interactions (viscosity, cure kinetics, consolidation behavior, tack, drape, etc.) to support manufacturability and scalability
  • Provide expert technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams working on composite demonstrators, new product development, and advanced technology programs
  • Collaborate with suppliers, academia, and research institutes on polymer science innovation and material development partnerships
  • Deliver clear technical direction, documentation, and reporting to customers, leadership, and internal stakeholders.
  • Lead root‑cause analysis of polymer and composite material deviations, defects, or process issues
  • Recommend material or process adjustments based on performance deviations and end‑use requirements
  • Develop and sustain continuous improvement initiatives related to material robustness, durability, quality, and long-term performance.

Requirements

  • Ph.D. in Chemistry with a specialization in polymer materials, ceramic–polymer nanocomposites, thermosets, and advanced materials systems
  • More than 8 years of experience in polymer synthesis, advanced composites, thermoset chemistry, nanocomposites, and multifunctional material development for high-performance applications
  • Expertise in polymer synthesis, functionalization, and structure–property relationships, including benzoxazine, epoxy, polyurethane, polyamide, PVC, elastomeric systems, and ceramic‑reinforced composites
  • Strong hands‑on experience with polymer and composite characterization, including FTIR, NMR, DSC, TGA, DMA, SEM, rheometry (ARES G2), mechanical testing, and cure kinetics analysis
  • Proven record of designing, developing, and optimizing thermosets, polymer–ceramic nanocomposites, and multifunctional composite materials for aerospace and high-performance applications
  • Experience leading end-to-end R&D, including material synthesis, purification, formulation, scaling, processing, and laboratory-to-pilot transition activities
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct thermal, mechanical, dielectric, insulation, and aging studies for materials intended for demanding environments
  • Strong cross‑functional collaboration skills—capable of partnering with engineering, manufacturing, and research teams to translate material innovations into deployable components and manufacturable composite systems
  • Excellent scientific communication skills, with a substantial record of peer‑reviewed publications in polymer science, composites, dielectric materials, and advanced nanocomposites.

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in polymer synthesis, advanced composites, and multifunctional material development, with a strong focus on material characterization and compliance with industry standards. Proven ability to lead R&D initiatives and collaborate cross‑functionally to translate material innovations into high-performance applications.

Highest-signal resume keywords

  • Ph.D. In Chemistry
  • Polymer Synthesis
  • Composite Characterization
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Advanced Materials Development

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

  • Polymer Functionalization
  • Structure–Property Relationships
  • Thermoset Chemistry
  • Nanocomposites Development
  • Mechanical Testing
  • Cure Kinetics Analysis
  • Material Specifications Development
  • Thermal Studies
  • Rheological Characterization
  • Root-Cause Analysis

Soft Skills

  • Scientific Communication
  • Technical Guidance
  • Collaboration

Industry Keywords

  • Composite Materials
  • Aerospace Applications
  • Material Compliance
  • High-Performance Applications
  • Polymer Science

Tools & Technologies

  • FTIR
  • NMR
  • DSC
  • TGA
  • DMA
  • SEM
  • ARES G2 Rheometer

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