Research Scientist

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $90k - $125k

Company Summary

Free Form Fibers is committed to using its laser-driven chemical vapor deposition technology to bring new and unique fiber materials and related products to the advanced materials industry. Free Form Fibers was founded as a result of the development of a unique process based on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to create inorganic High-Performance Fibers (HPFs) and high purity powders for use in a variety of challenging applications. These applications appear in military and aerospace (turbo machinery, rockets, advanced structures), automobile, biomedical, energy and other industries that require advanced materials with exceptional strength, stiffness, heat resistance and/or chemical resistance. FFF provides these high-value raw materials to OEMs and composites fabricators.

As Free Form Fibers enters the commercialization phase, adding team members to expand the scope of operations and meet the multi-year business strategy is critical.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Technology Development, the Research Scientist will execute the Technology Development Process across chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes, inorganic High-Performance Fibers (HPFs) and powders, as well as adjacent technologies. The Research Scientist will execute across the entire TDP lifecycle including internally funded development and securing funding for externally funded development.

Success in this role likely requires a desire to transition out of academia and into the commercial space with a small team of experts in the field of Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and inorganic High-Performance Fibers HPFs).

How Youll Make an Impact

• Apply your history of specialized materials and technology development, combined with mentorship from the Free Form Fibers team, to quickly build competence in the Free Form Fibers laser chemical vapor deposition technology, inorganic High-Performance Fibers (HPFs) and powders, technology roadmap and open problem set
• Contribute to both the initial grant submission process and the reporting required to remain compliant with external funding requirements
• Represent the Technology Development function on cross-functional program teams aimed at bringing new technology, as well as new products and associated production equipment to bear
• Execute the Technology Development lifecycle (Conceptual Design through Technology Readiness) of laser driven chemical vapor deposition technology, inorganic High-Performance Fibers (HPFs), high purity powders and adjacent technologies
• Become an in-house expert in the testing and analysis methods required to demonstrate technology readiness
• Escalate lessons learned and continuously improve the Technology Development process and associated standard work
  

What You Must Bring to This Role

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or Science - required
• Master of Science Degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or other related field - required
• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or other related field - desired
• Demonstrated success developing and executing test protocols for advanced fibers and powders - required
• Demonstrated strength using statistical data analysis to drive decision making - required
• A history of learning and quickly turning those learnings into demonstrated success - required
• Demonstrated ability to succeed with small teams - required
• Demonstrated success presenting scientific materials to industry thought leaders - required
• Demonstrated strength in modeling and analysis software, for areas such as reaction kinetics, gas flow & diffusion, and/or thermodynamics - desired
• Demonstrated strength in the standard work/SOP document lifecycle - required
• History of effective technical communications (written & verbal) required
• Demonstrated success utilizing research instruments (microscopy, chemical analysis, x-ray diffraction spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy) - required
• History of increasing responsibility with laboratory and diagnostics equipment - desired
• History of success working with laser optics design/equipment - desired
• History of success working with process control hardware (PLC) - desired
• History of success installing, utilizing & trouble shooting data acquisition systems - desired
  

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salaries to attract the best in high technology expertise
• Company sponsored benefits programs including health insurance (fulltime team members)
• Generous paid time off & paid holidays (fulltime team members)
• On the CDTA bus line, located in W.J. Grande Industrial Park in Saratoga Springs, off Route 50 and near SPAC; ideal for Saratoga County residents looking to avoid commuter traffic south

Working Conditions & Physical Efforts

• May require US government security clearance (may be obtained with the support of company operations)
• Work may be performed on multiple/different shifts based on machine down time
• Work is performed in a combination of office, laboratory, machine shop, and production floor environments
• Ability to sit for prolonged periods of time while working at a computer or participating in meetings
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while on the production floor, in laboratories, or in machine shop environments
• May be required to lift, carry, or move materials or equipment up to approximately 50 pounds on an occasional basis
• Visual functions required include near vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus when reviewing technical documents, operating computer systems, or observing production processes
• Finger dexterity is required to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, operate laboratory equipment, or utilize technical instruments
• Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of communicating with team members, leadership, suppliers, and customers
• Occasional travel may be required to visit suppliers, customers, or partner facilities
• Work may involve exposure to typical manufacturing or laboratory conditions, including noise, equipment operation, and safety-controlled environments
• Use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required when working in laboratory, machine shop, or production areas
• May be required to lift, carry, or move materials or equipment up to approximately 25-30 pounds on an occasional basis
• Visual functions required include near vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus when reviewing technical documents, operating computer systems, or observing production processes
• Finger dexterity is required to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, operate laboratory equipment, or utilize technical instruments
• Talking and hearing occur continuously in the process of communicating with team members, leadership, suppliers, and customers
• Occasional travel may be required to visit suppliers, customers, or partner facilities
• Work may involve exposure to typical manufacturing or laboratory conditions, including noise, equipment operation, and safety-controlled environments
  

This role is posted in partnership with HR Resolved, Inc.