Senior Materials Scientist – Shape the Future of Aerospace-Grade Composite Materials!

Broomfield, CO | Onsite

Opportunity Summary

A next-generation aerospace manufacturing startup is seeking a Senior Materials Scientist to drive the development of novel thermoset and ceramic composite materials used in its breakthrough additive manufacturing platform. This role sits at the heart of an ambitious mission to reimagine how advanced structures are produced for defense and space applications. You’ll work across R&D, production, and quality teams to formulate, test, and scale paste-based materials optimized for extrusion, microwave curing, and high-temperature performance. If you're passionate about developing high-impact materials in a collaborative, high-velocity environment, this is your opportunity to lead from the lab bench to full-scale production.

About Us

We are pioneering an automated composite manufacturing platform that leverages proprietary additive manufacturing technology to produce high-performance structures with minimal waste, tooling, or labor. Our system uses a scalable, direct ink write (DIW) process to print parts from highly tailorable thermoset and ceramic composites, including epoxy, phenolic, silicon carbide, and carbon-carbon. The process is enhanced with microwave-assisted curing, real-time feedback, and integrated smart factory systems. Our technology is positioned to serve mission-critical use cases including hypersonics, satellites, propulsion, and thermal protection systems, supporting U.S. industrial revitalization through next-gen manufacturing.

Job Duties

• Develop and tune composite material formulations for 3D printing, including thermosets, carbon-filled pastes, and ceramic systems
• Optimize mixing protocols and equipment strategies to ensure printability, consistency, and batch-scale repeatability
• Conduct hands-on testing and characterization of rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties using techniques like DSC, TGA, and tensile testing
• Scale materials from benchtop R&D to production-ready batches while maintaining tight process control and traceability
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure successful extrusion, in-situ curing, and mechanical stability during the printing process
• Support the development of quality control protocols across raw material intake, process monitoring, and final part validation
• Evaluate suppliers and assess new raw material candidates for future applications
• Maintain detailed documentation on material systems, processing parameters, and experimental results
• Contribute to internal technical strategy and IP development related to composite materials

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience developing and processing composite materials, including thermosets or ceramics
• Deep understanding of formulation chemistry, particularly filled resins and paste-based systems
• Hands-on experience with materials processing tools such as mixers, degassers, and viscometers
• Familiarity with lab instrumentation and characterization techniques: rheology, DSC, TGA, DMA, tensile, microscopy, etc.
• Experience scaling material processes from lab to pilot or production environments
• Strong collaboration skills with ability to interface with cross-functional technical teams

Preferred Experience

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• Experience developing ablative or ceramic-matrix composites, or carbon-carbon systems
• Exposure to DIW-based 3D printing or extrusion-based additive manufacturing
• Background in aerospace or defense hardware development
• Familiarity with thermal protection materials, high-temperature insulation, or propulsion-related systems

Why Join Us

• Drive the development of advanced materials critical to national aerospace and defense systems
• Be part of a small, fast-moving team solving some of the hardest problems in automated manufacturing
• Work closely with founders to shape a high-impact materials strategy
• Contribute to a vertically integrated platform combining chemistry, hardware, and software
• Early equity opportunity at a venture-backed startup with momentum
• Hands-on access to printers, lab equipment, and real-world feedback from production systems
• Competitive salary + stock options
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family
• High-ownership, collaborative culture with real mission impact

Compensation Details

$120,000 - $180,000