Polymer Chemist

About Canopy Technologies' Mission:

Canopy Technologies is the R&D innovation engine powering Canopy Aerospace and Defense, accelerating the future of advanced materials for space, defense, and maritime systems. Canopy delivers specialized materials, components, and systems for re-entry vehicles, rockets, spacecraft, submarines, and more. Canopy A&D's advanced signal attenuation technologies and production-scale manufacturing accelerate the fielding of platforms that are faster, cooler, and quieter. Canopy Technologies is focused on rapidly developing and deploying innovations in advanced materials such as RF- and vibration absorbing polymers, hypersonic thermal protection systems, embedded high-temperature sensors, robotically applied ceramic coatings, and additive manufacturing of novel ceramics. Our adaptive approach ensures solutions evolve at the pace of shifting challenges, keeping our customers ahead of the curve.

In this role on the Canopy engineering team, you will be a foundational member of the material development team, leading the development of advanced polymer materials for demanding maritime and defense applications. The role will focus on formulating, testing, and scaling novel polymer systems for maritime applications. The ideal candidate will bridge early-stage R&D with manufacturing scale-up, enabling robust, high-performance products for demanding environments. You will join a small core team with combined experience managing nuclear weapons systems, starting companies, creating new materials, and flying things to space. To be successful in this role, you must be self-motivated, thrive in ambiguity, and be able to lead your own projects to completion.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop new polymer formulations tailored for maritime platforms
• Execute test campaigns to evaluate key material properties and analyze data
• Analyze performance data and iterate formulations to meet customer and regulatory requirements
• Translate lab-scale formulations into scalable manufacturing processes
• Collaborate with engineering and production teams to guide scale-up and process optimization
• Lead qualification, testing, and certification efforts for new formulations to enable commercialization
• Maintain detailed documentation of formulations, processes, and results
• Contribute to the development of proposals and new products that enhance the organization's technical capabilities and support strategic growth objectives

Required Qualifications

• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals in chemistry, physics, structures, materials science, and thermodynamics
• PhD or MS in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field
• 5+ years of experience formulating polymer materials in an industrial or applied R&D setting
• Experience customizing polyurethanes, polyvinyl chloride, rubbers, and other elastomers
• Experience scaling chemical processes from lab to production
• Hands-on experience with polymer characterization techniques (DMA, DSC, TGA, rheology, etc.)
• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering and manufacturing teams
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to deliver on tight schedules using scrappy and creative solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with an aptitude for interdisciplinary technical communication

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with neoprene, rubber systems, and/or damping materials
• Familiarity with common composite materials and related processing
• Project management or project leadership experience
• Molecular modeling experience
• Active U.S. Security Clearance (Secret or higher), or the ability to obtain one based on eligibility. This includes meeting background check and other requirements, as required for access to controlled defense-related information and facilities
• Familiarity with space and defense standards such as but not limited to SMS-S-016, MIL-STD-810, NASA-GSFC-7000 series or other industry equivalent standards for design, analysis and testing of defense articles or launch vehicles

Additional Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary
• Ability to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret security clearance
• Ability to work in office, lab, and manufacturing environments with occasional exposure to noise, dust, and temperature variations.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 35 lbs and perform tasks involving standing, walking, bending, and manual assembly.
• Visual acuity required for reading technical drawings, inspecting components, and operating precision instruments.
• Occasional travel to customer or test sites, including outdoor or industrial settings, with adherence to company and OSHA safety protocols.

$120,000 - $170,000 a year

Job Details

Type: Full Time, Exempt (Salaried)

Reports to: President, Canopy Technologies

Hours: Core business hours

Base Location: Littleton, CO onsite M-F and weekends as needed

Travel: <20% of the time

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Total compensation will also include a comprehensive set of benefits including but not limited to: Company paid employee medical, dental and vision insurance. Retirement plan participation (eligibility required), paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid holidays and discretionary bonuses.

Export Control Requirements

To conform to US Government export regulations, the applicant must be a (i) US Citizen, (ii) lawful permanent resident of the U.S. (aka green card holder), (iii) protected individual as defined by U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or (iv) eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity

Canopy Aerospace & Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.

Join Us

If you feel you're qualified for the role, but don't exactly meet the criteria - please apply! We value diversity and prioritize passion.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.