Sr. Materials Engineer, R&D Core Materials
About The Position
Align Technology, Inc. is seeking a Senior Materials Engineer with deep expertise in polymer science, sustainability, material compatibility, and medical device packaging to lead complex, cross-functional projects spanning orthodontic accessory and ancillary product compatibility, recycled materials innovation, and advanced packaging development. This role serves as a technical leader and subject-matter expert (SME) who defines testing strategy, establishes technical direction, and partners across the organization to translate material innovations into scalable, compliant, and sustainable product solutions. You will collaborate across R&D, eCommerce, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Quality, Legal, and Supply Chain to deliver robust material solutions that enable Align's growth and sustainability goals.
Requirements
- expertise in polymer science
- expertise in sustainability
- expertise in material compatibility
- expertise in medical device packaging
Responsibilities
- Lead and own material selections and studies for orthodontic accessory and ancillary products to ensure safety, functionality with Invisalign orthodontic appliances, and packaging.
- Drive the development of circular-material technologies by transforming recycled polymers into high-performance, qualified applications.
- Design, evaluate, and optimize medical and consumer packaging for performance, manufacturability, and sustainability in accordance with ISO 11607 and ASTM/ISTA standards.
- Design and perform standard and customized polymer characterization (thermal, mechanical, rheological, spectroscopic) and long-term reliability evaluations.
- Define and approve material specifications; author validation protocols and reports documentation per Design Control and QMS requirements.
- Lead collaboration with internal teams and external partners to evaluate, qualify, and scale sustainable materials and packaging solutions globally.
- Support chemical-compliance and biocompatibility evaluations to ensure regulatory readiness and provide data for product filings.
- Translate complex test results into clear technical reports, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations that guide product and business decisions.
- Mentor and coach engineers and technicians to strengthen experimental design, data integrity, and sustainability best practices across the materials function.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Industry
Miscellaneous Manufacturing
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
