Staff Materials Engineer, Thermoplastics

Anduril’s Materials Engineering team is seeking a Materials Engineer with a specialized background in thermoplastics to join our rapidly growing team. As part of Anduril’s commitment to innovation in defense technology, our materials engineering team is essential in developing the advanced materials that are at the core of our revolutionary products.

In this role, you will have a significant impact on the materials we use and the efficiency with which we use them. You will be expected to possess a robust understanding of material science and the application of organic materials in high-performance environments. The right person doesn't just know the standards; they understand the fundamentals that explain why the standards exist and when it's appropriate to exceed them.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Strategically select and evaluate polymeric materials for diverse applications.
• Assist in the development and testing of new materials to meet engineering and performance specifications.
• Conduct comprehensive material characterizations using techniques specific to polymers and adhesives, such as rheological testing, thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), spectroscopy (FTIR), and mechanical testing (tensile, compression, creep).
• Design robust test plans and protocols for the substantiation of material processes, analyze data, and ensure material reliability.
• Drive supplier development and qualification efforts, establishing robust a supply chain for injection molding plastics meeting Anduril’s high standards for performance and reliability.
• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, and engineering teams to address material-related challenges, ensuring the manufacturability and reliability of products.
• Maintain cutting-edge knowledge in polymer science and technology, incorporating the latest research and advancements into Anduril’s material strategies.
• Document all phases of material development, from experimental setup to detailed analysis of results, and effectively communicate findings to the team and broader organization.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the development of the Materials Engineering team’s overall expertise in general polymeric materials.
• Use first principles physics as a basis for every decision.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or higher in Materials Engineering, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a related field.
• 6-8 years of industry experience focusing on the application of thermoplastics, adhesives, foams. or other organic materials in product development.
• Proven experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles, particularly as they pertain to thermoplastic and adhesive materials, ensuring that materials selection and application processes align with manufacturing capabilities and constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to support engineering design teams, providing materials expertise that informs the creation of engineering drawings and specifications. This includes proficiency in interpreting and advising on material tolerances, finishes, and processing techniques that can be accurately depicted in engineering documentation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of organic material properties, processing, and characterization techniques, with the ability to translate this knowledge into practical applications and manufacturing processes.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply engineering principles to novel applications and to troubleshoot materials-related challenges in design and production settings.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with experience in effectively conveying material requirements and justifications to diverse stakeholders, including design engineers, manufacturing teams, and executive leadership.
• Quick learner, able to adapt to new technologies and challenges in a fast-paced environment.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret security clearance as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Expertise in the selection, development, modeling and validation of injection molding plastics.
• Demonstrated ownership of a comprehensive material characterization and development effort.
• Familiarity with computer-aided design (CAD) software and materials simulation tools (i.e. Moldflow Analysis).
• Working knowledge of manufacturing, design, and process substantiation.