Senior Materials Engineer - R&D Core Materials Engineering (Polymer)

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

Description

Role 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.

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