Inkjet Materials Scientist

The Opportunity

• Develop innovative polymer-based materials for niche inkjet application in PCB industry
• Broad, cross-disciplinary role with tremendous opportunity to leverage current technology base for future expansion into new markets
• Succession planning role – outstanding long term career path to become the company expert and ultimately lead the technical team
• Collaborative, no-drama culture; sense of humor is a vital requirement
• Be a key member of a small technical team but with access to parent company resources
• Established, stable company with many long-term employees

What You’ll Do

• First priority is to improve performance of existing key product. This includes both product formulation and process elements.
• You will analyze product performance, characterize materials and provide direct leadership of improvement initiatives to ensure customer success, including testing materials as well as manufacturing processes on in-house lines that replicate customer production environments
• Work closely with Operations to develop and improve processes for existing products
• Manage technicians and directly work in the lab – this is NOT a remote role
• Medium term priorities are to develop the technology platform for applications in additional end-use markets; and to become fully knowledgeable in all Company products and application methods/processes – be the Company expert
• You’ll manage and make the most of the Company’s university research partnership relationships
• You’ll write technical papers and travel to give presentations at industry conferences and technical events to promote the Company’s innovation leadership
• You’ll maintain current knowledge of emerging technologies and opportunities for the Company to either develop or acquire additional innovative materials and processes that align with future market opportunities of interest
• You will also interface with customers for product testing/trials and technical support, to ensure the correct product selection with the right characteristics for a given application.
• Longer term, this role is ideally positioned for succession when the current technical leader retires

The Profile

• Advanced degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering or similar relevant discipline is REQUIRED
• 5+ years industrial experience formulating polymer-based products, including a cross-disciplinary function spanning product and process development: you enjoy the lab but are also comfortable supporting production – this is a CORE REQUIREMENT
• Solid understanding of structure-property relationships specific to the interaction between materials, with proven practical application in real-world problem solving and product development/innovation. This is REQUIRED. Direct experience with composites very helpful
• Meaningful experience with inkjet technology is REQUIRED
• Experience with photolithography very helpful
• Excellent analytical and material characterization skills including statistical analysis, failure analysis etc. – you can get to the root cause of a problem and also offer solutions
• Practical problem solving and results orientation – you like to focus on outcomes, not on process for its own sake
• Good communications, public speaking and presentation skills – you’re comfortable presenting to audiences of varying technical knowledge and can communicate at all levels internally and externally
• Good EQ and diplomatic skills – you know how to get things done, how to influence and collaborate without a direct line of authority
• Experience working for a Japanese owned company is an advantage
• Good sense of humor and manageable ego are firm requirements
• Willing to live/relocate to the Reno NV area and travel 10-20%