Principal Materials Engineer - Polymers and Plastics

Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice OS, an AI-powered operating system that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge autonomy, AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years.

 

 

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Materials Team is responsible for the development and optimization of materials for our revolutionary products.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are looking for a Materials Engineer in Costa Mesa, Ca, that has a solid foundation in materials science and engineering first principles, and an intrinsic drive to build on that foundation. If you are someone who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, and is eager to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world applications, then this role is for you.

 

 

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 polymers and adhesives.
• Use first principles physics as a basis for every decision.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or higher in Materials Engineering, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of industry experience focusing on the application of polymers, adhesives, or other organic materials in product development.
• Proven experience with Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles, particularly as they pertain to polymer 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 and validation of injection molding plastics.
• Demonstrated ownership of a comprehensive material characterizat