Research Engineer

West Sacramento, CA, United States

About the Company

Headquartered in West Sacramento, Origin Materials is the world's leading carbon negative materials company. Origin’s mission is to enable the world’s transition to sustainable materials. Over the past 10 years, Origin has developed a platform for turning the carbon found in non-food biomass into useful materials, while capturing carbon in the process. Origin’s patented drop-in core technology, economics and carbon impact have been validated by trusted third parties and are supported by a growing list of major global customers and investors. Origin’s first plant, located in Sarnia, Ontario Canada is expected to be operational in 2023 with a second, full-scale commercial plant expected to be operational by 2025 and plans for additional expansion over the next decade. For more information, visit www.originmaterials.com.

Origin Materials believes in protecting its employees and the community and, as such, requires employees who come on site to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Origin provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Our People

We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. When you take a job at Origin, you do more than switch companies or advance your career. You become part of the Origin community: an inclusive group of hardworking, uniquely talented people who drive innovation.

Benefits and Perks

You will work with great people. You will be joining a close-knit group of A+ players who like to hustle, create, and work hard because we believe in Origin’s mission: to enable the world’s transition to sustainable materials.

You will make a difference. We’re working on big things, so every person can make an impact.

You will grow. There are endless opportunities at Origin to learn and improve. You’ll be surrounded by great minds and presented with big challenges. And you and your teammates will support one another in overcoming those challenges.

You will enjoy excellent benefits. We offer a wide range of insurance including Medical and Dental, Vision, Disability, and Life, as well as a 401k, EAP, and generous leave.

You will have flexibility. We don’t believe in one size fits all when it comes to work location and schedule. We care about safety and efficiency so work where and when you are at your best. While we try to be as flexible as possible and allow our team to work various hours in various locations, some positions do require daily, onsite work. Also, we recognize our team works hard so we want you to take time off when you need it. That’s why we have a flexible time off policy.

About the Position

The Research Engineer is a subject matter expert in product development and design but also responsible for the management of running multiple design, development, or research projects including working with tool makers and vendors for the development of new products and to improve existing product performance. This Engineer takes a central part in R&D polymer application development projects supporting prototype product development, innovation, and improving processes overall. Coordinates and manages collaborators, performing experiments in the lab and on production line-equipment to develop and validate new products and processes that enhance profit margin or efficiency of new or current products. This Engineer works closely with external vendors to evaluate and approve new methods and suppliers. This Engineer also aids in formation, organization, and development of intellectual property.

You will be responsible for:

Facilitating the prioritization of technical solutions, designs, innovations and maintaining project focus for customers in Product Development, Commercial, and R&D, among other departments.

Individual contribution and team participation on design and development projects from early-stage prototypes to making prototype samples, testing, documentation, releasing to production, and sales support. With new concepts, provide feedback in the context of customer need. Continued Engineering team support as needed.

Executing R&D thermoforming, slit and fold, injection or blow molding and fiber spinning projects supporting new Process / Product Development and testing and developing new materials.

Collaborating with cross-functional teams including Chemical and Materials Engineers as well as Operators and Technicians to solve technical issues during product development.

Supplying and reviewing engineering designs, documentation and supporting the development of new materials or part requirements for customers across the country and internationally.

Communicating with external vendors or production teams to coordinate and lead projects related to product design or process improvement and energy or efficiency savings.

Providing technical expertise and direction in the design and fabrication of prototype concepts, tooling, and testing systems.

Assisting in providing technical support for Manufacturing, Procurement, Marketing, and Sales departments, particularly for the latest products.

Presenting and communicating research results internally and externally including documentation when necessary for patent disclosures.

Evaluating and qualifying new suppliers.

Supporting Origin’s effort to reduce carbon footprint and sustainability.

Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice.

About You

You:

Have expertise in CAD and other design software for product development.

Have hands on laboratory skills.

Possess knowledge and thorough understanding of relevant manufacturing processes.

Have advanced mathematics knowledge and computer literacy.

Have advanced data analysis and knowledge of simulation including FEM.

Have publication quality communication skills (internal or external documents, provisional patents, and presentations).

Great with problem solving - you identify and resolve problems in a timely manner, gathering and analyzing information skillfully.

Detail-oriented and accurate - you minimize mistakes, follow every step in a process and follow through with all tasks.

Excellent oral communication - you speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; demonstrate presentation skills.

Good with written communication - you write clearly and informatively; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.

Quality focus, improve processes, products and services.

Bottling and closure experience

Your Experience:

Have to Have it:

5-7 years – Design Experience.

3-5 years – Experience in polymer processing or synthesis, and testing.

5-7 years – Experience in Position, Research, product development, or R&D technician

* Experience may include a combination of work experience and education

Education:

Minimum Required: BS Degree in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other related fields or equivalent experience

Preferred:

MS. Degree in Materials Science, Engineering, or equivalent experience.

Materials Science and Engineering exposure.

Polymer processing or science and fiber or packaging training.

Bonus:

Preferred Certification/License: FE/EIT in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent

Preferred Certification/License: Management certification for technical professional

5+ years – Experience in polymer or polymer composite mechanics, testing, and processing fields

5-7 years – Design Experience

Disclaimer:

This position is a Level 4 at Origin Materials. The pay range for this position level at Origin Materials is $139,000 - $194,800. This range is not necessarily a guarantee of actual compensation that may be earned nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on relevant experience, education and other factors

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