Senior Materials Engineer - Golf Ball R&D

Senior Materials Engineer

Callaway Golf Company is a premium golf equipment, gear and apparel company with a portfolio of global brands, including Callaway Golf, Odyssey, TravisMathew, and OGIO. Through an unwavering commitment to innovation and premium craftsmanship, Callaway designs, manufactures, and sells high-performance golf clubs, golf balls, apparel, bags, and other accessories—setting the standard for performance in the game of golf.

Our Mission: To create demonstrably superior and pleasingly different products powered by innovative technology and premium craftsmanship enabling golfers of all abilities to play their best and find more joy in the game.

Callaway Golf is looking for a Senior Materials Engineer to join our Golf Ball R&D team, to help develop the materials technologies that will enable future golf ball performance. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in polymer or materials science and the ability to translate fundamental material understanding into practical solutions that improve product performance and the player experience. This role will provide the opportunity to lead complex R&D projects, work closely with cross-functional teams and material suppliers, and influence the development of future golf ball platforms. The successful candidate will be a technically curious individual who enjoys solving challenging problems and applying materials innovation to real-world products.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead R&D projects to identify, design, develop, and evaluate materials for use in future-generation golf ball products.
• Design, execute, and interpret advanced materials characterization and testing results, including the development of new methods and equipment where required.
• Apply materials science principles to develop structure-property-performance relationships, linking material structure with on-ball performance attributes.
• Provide technical leadership and recommendations on material selection, formulation, processing, and performance trade-offs to support product development decisions.
• Partner with testing, prototyping, engineering, and manufacturing teams to evaluate materials and drive the successful integration of new material systems and manufacturing processes into scalable commercial products.
• Establish and maintain strong technical relationships with material suppliers to evaluate, develop and qualify materials for future and existing products.
• Document and communicate technical findings, project status, risks, and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert, providing materials expertise to support product messaging, technical communications, and internal/external education materials.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert, providing materials expertise, mentoring team members, and supporting knowledge sharing across materials R&D and broader technical teams.

Technical Competencies

• Strong understanding of polymer materials science, including structure-property relationships, polymer chemistry, and material behavior.
• Experience with polymer systems including elastomers, thermoplastics, thermosets, and polymer-based composite materials.
• Ability to characterize materials and interpret data using appropriate analytical techniques (e.g., spectroscopy, thermal analysis, chromatography) and mechanical testing methods.
• Understanding of polymer processing technologies, including injection molding, compression molding, extrusion, and related manufacturing processes.
• Ability to evaluate material solutions against multiple competing requirements, including mechanical properties, processability, manufacturability, and product performance.
• Ability to assess supplier technologies and collaborate with external partners to identify, develop, and qualify new material solutions.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and timelines simultaneously.

Education and Experience

• MS or PhD in Materials Science/Engineering, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline; equivalent relevant industry experience considered.
• 5+ years of experience in polymer materials research, development, or application engineering, ideally within sporting goods, consumer products, or other performance-driven industries.
• Demonstrated ability to translate materials research and innovation into commercially viable products that deliver targeted performance attributes.
• Experience with technical publications, patents, or other documented contributions to materials innovation preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, including engineering, manufacturing, testing, and product development stakeholders.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

• Work is performed in a designated professional office workstation and environment.
• Extensive use of general office and relevant laboratory equipment.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or carry up to 30 pounds.
• Occasionally required to travel domestically and/or internationally.

This job description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification and it may be changed by management at any time. Other duties may also apply. Nothing in this position description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between the Company and its employees. Distribution of this item outside of the Company without an authorized release is a violation of Company policy.

Inclusion & Diversity: As a purpose-led, performance driven company, we strive to foster a culture of belonging based on respect, connection, openness and authenticity. We are committed to building and maintaining a workplace that celebrates the diversity of our associates, supporting them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.

If your experience is close to what we're looking for, please consider applying. Experience comes in many forms, skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. We know that diverse backgrounds and experiences make for the best problem-solving and creative thinking, which is why we're dedicated to adding new perspectives to the team and encourage everyone to apply. We look forward to learning more about you.

97,200.00 - 121,450.00 - 145,700.00 USD Annual