Sr. Technical Specialist, Polymer Technology

Lucid Motors•Newark, CA

20d

About The Position

At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility. We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design – where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience. Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. Beyond providing competitive salaries, we’re providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you. Senior Technical Specialist – Polymer Technology The Role: · Be a significant contributor to a world-class organization by supporting with plastics expertise and owning all polymer-related aspects from concept phase to product launch · Lead Polymer Technology Team, an internal group of specialists covering material vetting/selection/qualification, design optimization, testing, as well as DFM, process simulation, tooling, process improvements. While the team closely collaborates with design engineers and suppliers throughout product development process (optimizing part function, efficiency, and cost), it is also involved with cross-functional teams (supply chain, industrialization, quality, studio, legal, etc) in ownership of material attributes · Be an expert contributor to address specialized/niche subject matter not covered by team’s experience · Utilize understanding of polymer materials (thermoplastics/elastomers/thermosets, coverstocks, adhesive, paint/coating, composites) and processing (DFM, process simulation, tooling, process) for technical guidance and education of the organization, problem solving, and holistic decision-making processes · Drive innovation by identifying technology needs, and conversion into scalable “technology demonstrator” protypes. · Own standardization of materials, tooling, and processes.

Requirements

B.S.in polymer engineering, material science or related field
10+ years’ experience, supporting multiple systems across the vehicle in aspects of materials, engineering design, tooling, process and testing. 5+ years of responsibility leading material selection with accountability, and shaping material/design/tooling strategy
Must have worked in automotive development environment through complete product development process from concept to launch
Good knowledge of polymer materials in all forms (thermoplastics, elastomers, adhesives, coverstock (coated fabric, textiles), paint, composites), and their use in automotive components
Familiar with design rules for function, manufacturing, and cost optimization
Significant involvement in interpretation of flow simulation and tool design.
Proven hands-on experience with plastic injection molding process, including process optimization
Experience with secondary processes (e.g. joining, painting, plating, press/vacuum lamination)
Exemplary verbal and written communication skills
Able to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% if needed

Nice To Haves

M.S. or PhD in polymer engineering, material science or related field
Experience with other plastic manufacturing processes (incl. lesser common variants) and their part designs (e.g. water assisted IM, extrusion, blow molding, thermal forming, compression molding, pultrusion, slush molding, RTM)
Experience developing and implementing test methods and material characterization.

Responsibilities

Be a significant contributor to a world-class organization by supporting with plastics expertise and owning all polymer-related aspects from concept phase to product launch
Lead Polymer Technology Team, an internal group of specialists covering material vetting/selection/qualification, design optimization, testing, as well as DFM, process simulation, tooling, process improvements. While the team closely collaborates with design engineers and suppliers throughout product development process (optimizing part function, efficiency, and cost), it is also involved with cross-functional teams (supply chain, industrialization, quality, studio, legal, etc) in ownership of material attributes
Be an expert contributor to address specialized/niche subject matter not covered by team’s experience
Utilize understanding of polymer materials (thermoplastics/elastomers/thermosets, coverstocks, adhesive, paint/coating, composites) and processing (DFM, process simulation, tooling, process) for technical guidance and education of the organization, problem solving, and holistic decision-making processes
Drive innovation by identifying technology needs, and conversion into scalable “technology demonstrator” protypes.
Own standardization of materials, tooling, and processes.