Materials Scientist

Whitefox•Calgary, AB

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Materials Engineer supports Whitefox's Product Development team by leading the development and optimization of potting materials and processes for hollow fibre membrane modules used in dehydration, gas separation, and fluid handling applications. This role focuses on polymer and alloy formulation, adhesion science, curing chemistry, and process development to ensure reliable sealing, structural integrity, and long-term module performance under demanding operating conditions. Join Whitefox in shaping a more efficient industrial future. As part of our team, you’ll turn insight into action, driving smarter processes, solving real-world challenges, and helping deliver advanced membrane solutions that enable industries to produce more with less. The Research & Development team advances Whitefox product and process innovation through safe laboratory operations, prototype design, technical testing, data-driven validation, and scale-up support. The department is responsible for building practical solutions that improve product performance, process reliability, and the transition from batch experimentation toward continuous and increasingly automated operation. Every improvement you make moves us closer to our 2030 goal of being globally trusted leaders in efficiency and innovation.

Requirements

MSc or PhD in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
3+ years of industrial or research experience in polymers, adhesives, encapsulation, or membrane technologies.
Strong understanding of thermoset and elastomeric polymer chemistry.
Experience with formulation development and materials characterization techniques.
Knowledge of adhesion mechanisms, interfacial science, and curing processes.
Experience with statistical experimental design (DOE) and data analysis.
Strong problem-solving, communication, and technical documentation skills.
Troubleshooting and root cause analysis - structured approach to diagnosing failures, validating hypotheses, and implementing durable corrective actions.
Execution speed with technical rigor - able to move quickly, iterate prototypes, and increase team cadence without losing sight of safety, quality, or reliability.
Cross-functional collaboration - able to work effectively with scientists, engineers, operators, contractors, vendors, and external research partners.
Technical communication and documentation - able to write clear procedures, reports, specifications, and engineering records that support repeatability and handoff.
Continuous improvement and innovation - actively looks for better ways to monitor, standardize, and modernize laboratory and pilot operations and tasks
Eng. (required)

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with hollow fiber membrane module construction and sealing challenges is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Conduct research to understand the properties, structure, and behaviour of materials.
Explore new materials or modifications to existing ones to achieve desired performance characteristics.
Develop and optimize epoxy, metal-alloys, polymer, and composite materials for membrane modules with improved chemical, thermal, and mechanical performance.
Design membrane cartridges, housings, seals, end caps, and flow paths to improve filtration efficiency, durability, and manufacturability.
Provide technical and scientific expertise while evaluating work carried out by manufacturing team.
Analyse the physical and chemical material performance results and put into context with work being carried out by fabrication partners.
Provide technical and scientific expertise QC/lab operation.
Review 3rd party documentation for completeness, assimilate and create Whitefox summaries and analysis putting all fabrication and performance aspects into context
Create and maintain concise, accurate, and traceable documentation (i.e. includes analysis, summary, source files and updates to the document and communication tracker on SharePoint)
Assist with project/grant proposals, status reports
Represent Whitefox Blueprint values, standards, and safety culture to customers and external stakeholders during site visits and support activities.