1X Technologies
Materials Scientist, Polymers
$200K–$248K
San Carlos, CA · On-site · Full-time · Posted Aug 11, 2026
- Experience
- 3+ years required; preferred alternative: MS of similar background with 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
- Education
- MS in chemistry, polymer science/engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field.
About the job
Leads polymer R&D for humanoid-robot tendons, coatings, and load-bearing composites, taking materials from development and testing into production.
What you'll do
- Develop and evaluate tendon materials, polymer coatings, and jackets for strength, fatigue life, adhesion, wear, friction, and durability.
- Set up and operate polymer processing equipment; characterize materials, investigate failures, and use results to guide design and process decisions.
- Establish lab procedures, test methods, and documentation for manufacturing readiness, supplier transfer, and IP development.
What they ask for
- MS in chemistry, polymer science/engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, or a closely related field.
- 3+ years of hands-on R&D developing high-performance polymers, polymer coatings, fibers, or polymer composites.
- Working knowledge of polymer physics and experience with polymer synthesis/formulation and polymer processing or coating equipment.
- Experience with DMA, DSC, TGA, FTIR, rheology, mechanical testing including creep and fatigue, and DOE/statistical analysis.
Nice to have
- PhD in a related field, or an MS of similar background with 5+ years of relevant industry experience.
- Experience with high-performance fibers and ropes, processing-line development, coatings or surface treatments, manufacturing scale-up, suppliers, or patents.
Pay
$200,000 – $248,000 USD base salary
Tools
twin-screw extrusion, compression molding, fiber spinning and drawing, DMA, DSC, TGA, FTIR, rheology
Model-written summary · the original posting is authoritative