Position Overview

This role leads materials science R&D, while also overseeing manufacturing activities to support scale‑up, production readiness, and quality improvement. The position is responsible for designing, testing, and optimizing advanced materials and translating lab innovations into manufacturable, repeatable processes suitable for pilot and full‑scale production in food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and pharma.

Fractional time commitment: ~20 hours/week

Location: on-site, Vacaville, CA

Key Responsibilities

Materials Science Leadership

Lead development, characterization, and optimization of materials (polymers, composites, ceramics, biomaterials, or encapsulated systems depending on business needs).
Design experiments, analyze data, and develop predictive models for materials performance.
Oversee materials testing protocols (mechanical, chemical, thermal, and environmental).
Identify and validate new material formulations aligned with product and regulatory requirements.
Document research findings and present technical recommendations to leadership.

Manufacturing Engineering & Scale‑Up

Translate materials innovations into scalable manufacturing processes.
Develop process flow diagrams, SOPs, and control plans for production.
Lead DFM (Design for Manufacturing) and DOE (Design of Experiments) initiatives.
Optimize production equipment, automation, and tooling to improve throughput and quality.
Conduct root‑cause analysis and implement corrective/preventive actions (CAPA).
Partner with suppliers on material specifications and production standards.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Work closely with R&D, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and external manufacturing partners.
Support technology transfer from prototype → pilot → full production.
Train technicians and engineers on material handling and process controls.

Required Qualifications

Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
10+ years of experience in materials R&D and/or manufacturing engineering.
Strong knowledge of biomaterial behavior, analytical testing, and statistical methods.
Experience with process scale‑up, automation, and manufacturing validation.
Proficiency with CAD, DOE tools, and materials testing instrumentation.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in biotech, biomaterials, advanced manufacturing, or clean‑tech environments.
Familiarity with GMP/ISO guidelines (if applicable to the sector).
Experience with polymer chemistry, encapsulation systems, or advanced composites.
Project leadership experience managing cross‑functional technical teams.

Application Process

Please submit a resume and cover letter to teryn@nexturebio.com. In the subject line of the email, you must write “Sr. Materials Scientist and Manufacturing Engineer resume and cover letter-[YOUR NAME]”.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until this position is filled. If you do not send both a resume and cover letter, your application will not be considered.

Research shows that women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ candidates are less likely to apply for positions if they don’t meet the exact criteria that have been specified in writing. Your skills matter – they matter to us, and we believe that our diversity, uniqueness, and individual experiences and perspectives make us an impactful organization.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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Sr. Materials Scientist and Manufacturing Engineer