Materials Scientist, Polymers

The role

You will lead polymer-chemistry and polymer-physics R&D on novel tendon materials, protective coatings, and load-bearing composites for humanoid robots. You will develop materials, operate processing equipment, and characterize performance to move candidates into production.

What you will do

• Develop novel tendon materials and architectures.
• Develop polymer coatings and jackets for tendons, fibers, and load-bearing composites.
• Set up and operate processing equipment to make high-performance materials in-house.
• Build structure-process-property-performance models to guide design decisions.
• Characterize materials, coatings, and tendon constructs using various testing methods.
• Investigate rope, coating, and composite failures and implement fixes.
• Establish lab procedures, test methods, and documentation for manufacturing and IP development.

Required qualifications

• MS in chemistry, polymer science/engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field.
• 3+ years of hands-on R&D experience developing high-performance polymers, polymer coatings, fibers, or polymer composites.
• Strong working knowledge of polymer physics and how it governs mechanical behavior under sustained and cyclic load.
• Experience operating one or more types of polymer processing or coating equipment (e.g., extrusion, compounding, fiber spinning/drawing, coating, or molding).
• Knowledge of polymer synthesis and formulation.
• Experience with DMA, DSC, TGA, FTIR, rheology, and mechanical testing, including creep and fatigue.
• Experience with design of experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis.

Nice to have

• PhD in chemistry, polymer science/engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, polymer physics, or an MS of similar background with 5+ years of relevant industry experience
• Experience with high-performance fibers and ropes for actuation or load bearing.
• Experience building or modifying lab and pilot-scale processing lines.
• Experience developing coatings, surface treatments, or sizings for fibers, ropes, or composites.
• Experience scaling materials from the lab to pilot or high-volume manufacturing.
• Experience working with suppliers and documenting inventions and patents.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver highly innovative solutions.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• PTO, holidays, and parental leave
• 401(k) with company match
• FSA/HSA
• Commuter benefits
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Onsite snacks and catered lunches

About the company

1X builds humanoid robots for the home that take on chores and everyday tasks. Their flagship product, NEO, is a home robot built to move, learn, and work alongside people.