Senior Materials Engineer - R&D Core Materials Engineering (Polymer)Department: Research & Development
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: US-California-San Jose
Compensation: $152,200 - $209,350 / year
DescriptionRole summary Align Technology, Inc. is seeking a Senior Materials Engineer with strong expertise in polymer science, sustainability, material compatibility, dental composite and adhesive, and medical device packaging to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives.
This role serves as a technical owner and subject-matter expert (SME) across polymer materials, dental materials, and packaging systems, you will be responsible for material verification, qualification, validation strategy, and risk-based decision making across multiple high-impact programs.
You will collaborate closely with R&D, eCommerce, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Quality, Legal, and Supply Chain to ensure materials are robust, compliant, scalable, and ready to support global commercialization.
Role expectations
- Lead material selections, evaluation, and qualification across a range of polymer-based material systems used in Align products.
- Own material strategy and execution for new product introduction (NPI), regional launches, and sustaining activities.
- Independently manage multiple parallel material workstreams with high visibility and business impact.
- Lead dental materials assessments (e.g., composites, adhesives, polymers) to support product global launch and meet regional requirements.
- Define testing strategies and deliver clear data-driven technical recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders.
- Support medical device packaging materials and systems as part of overall material ownership.
- Design, evaluate, and optimize medical and consumer packaging for performance, manufacturability, and sustainability in accordance with ISO 11607 and ASTM/ISTA standards.
- Design and perform standard and customized polymer characterization (thermal, mechanical, rheological, spectroscopic) and long-term reliability evaluations.
- Define and approve material specifications; author validation protocols and reports documentation per Design Control and QMS requirements.
- Lead collaboration with internal teams and external partners to evaluate, qualify, and scale sustainable materials and packaging solutions globally.
- Support chemical-compliance and biocompatibility evaluations to ensure regulatory readiness and provide data for product filings.
- Translate complex test results into clear technical reports, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations that guide product and business decisions.
- Mentor and coach engineers and technicians to strengthen experimental design, data integrity, and sustainability best practices across the materials function.
What we're looking for
Minimum Qualifications- M.S., or Ph.D. degree in Polymer Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
- 8+ years of R&D experience involving polymers, packaging, or medical devices.
- Proven expertise in polymer characterization, structure-property analysis, and material compatibility evaluation.
- Demonstrated ability to translate material performance into product-level requirements and outcomes.
- Lead and execute hands-on laboratory testing and material characterization, including experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation.
- Practical experience in packaging materials design, development, and validation for medical or consumer products.
- Excellent technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Proven analytical thinking and ability to translate data into practical engineering recommendations.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- Demonstrated learning agility, ownership, and a proactive, results-driven mindset.
- Ability to take initiative, follow through, and approach challenges with curiosity and persistence in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong execution, integrity, and accountability.
Complementary skills - Experience evaluating material interactions for chemical and functional compatibility with medical devices and packaging systems.
- Knowledge of environmental, chemical, and packaging compliance standards, including REACH, RoHS, Prop 65, TSCA, ISO 10993, and ISO 11607.
- Familiarity with sustainable packaging materials, validation methods, and relevant ASTM and ISTA test standards (e.g., ASTM F88, F1980; ISTA 3A).
- Working knowledge of design control, risk management, and validation processes in accordance with ISO 13485 and FDA QSR requirements.
