Sr. Concrete Admixture R&D Lead

Lyten•Fremont, CA

23d•$155,200 - $232,800•Onsite

About The Position

Lyten is seeking a visionary Sr. Concrete Admixture R&D Lead to drive the development of our next-generation, high-performance 3D Graphene™ admixtures. This is a lab-focused leadership role where you will bridge the gap between advanced nanomaterial science and real-world construction applications. You will lead the research and formulation of "drop-in" additives that dramatically enhance the strength, durability, and sustainability of concrete, helping our global partners reduce their carbon footprint.

Requirements

Master's degree in engineering (e.g., electrical, manufacturing), or general science (e.g., chemistry) or a related field AND 7+ years of related experience ...OR bachelor’s degree in engineering (e.g., electrical, manufacturing), or general science (e.g., chemistry) or a related field AND 9+ years of related experience
Industry Expertise: Deep knowledge of concrete chemistry, including hydration mechanisms, rheology, and the interaction between chemical admixtures and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).
R&D Track Record: Proven experience in formulating and testing concrete admixtures or specialty construction chemicals in a laboratory setting.
Standardization Expertise: Extensive knowledge of ASTM and ACI testing protocols for fresh and hardened concrete.
Leadership Mindset: Strong project management skills with the ability to mentor junior researchers and manage complex, multi-stakeholder programs within a lab environment.
Characterization: Expert use of Isothermal Calorimetry, Rheometers/Viscometers, XRD/XRF/FTIR, and Particle Size Analyzers (Laser Diffraction).
Fresh Concrete/Mortar Testing: Mastery of High-Shear/Standard Mixers, Slump/Flow Table tools, Air Entrainment Meters, and Vicat Apparatus.
Hardened Properties: Proficiency with Compression/Flexural Testing Machines, Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity (UPV), and Shrinkage/Expansion Comparators.
Operations: Familiarity with Environmental Curing Chambers, LIMS for data management, and specialized safety protocols for nanomaterial handling.
Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
Be able to work in a lab standing up to 8 hours each day.

Nice To Haves

Nanomaterial Knowledge: Familiarity with carbon-based nanomaterials (graphene, nanotubes) and their application in improving material properties is highly advantageous.
Previous management experience a plus.

Responsibilities

Lab Innovation: Drive the R&D pipeline for graphene-enhanced admixtures, focusing on early-age strength doubling, shrinkage reduction, and enhanced chloride resistance.
Formulation & Bench-Scale Testing: Develop and refine chemical formulations for various admixture types, including superplasticizers, accelerators, and durability enhancers, ensuring stable dispersion of 3D Graphene™.
Technical Strategy: Set research priorities and technical milestones that align with Lyten’s goal of decarbonizing the construction industry.
Performance Validation: Oversee rigorous lab testing programs in compliance with ASTM and ACI standards to validate the long-term benefits of Lyten-enhanced concrete.
Analytical Leadership: Utilize advanced characterization techniques (such as rheology, calorimetry, and microscopy) to evaluate the interaction between admixtures and cementitious systems.
Intellectual Property: Identify and protect new innovations through patent applications and technical white papers based on laboratory findings.
Internal Technical Resource: Act as the primary technical point of contact for internal teams, providing data-driven insights from lab trials.
Team management of research and design engineers.