Align Technology · 2 days ago
Sr. Materials Engineer, R&D Core Materials
San Jose, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$150K/yr - $206K/yr
8+ years expAlign Technology, Inc. is seeking a Senior Materials Engineer with expertise in polymer science and medical device packaging to lead complex projects in R&D. The role involves defining testing strategies and collaborating across various teams to develop sustainable material solutions that align with the company's growth objectives.
HardwareHealth CareManufacturing
Responsibilities
Lead and own material selections and studies for orthodontic accessory and ancillary products to ensure safety, functionality with Invisalign orthodontic appliances, and packaging
Drive the development of circular-material technologies by transforming recycled polymers into high-performance, qualified applications
Design, evaluate, and optimize medical and consumer packaging for performance, manufacturability, and sustainability in accordance with ISO 11607 and ASTM/ISTA standards
Design and perform standard and customized polymer characterization (thermal, mechanical, rheological, spectroscopic) and long-term reliability evaluations
Define and approve material specifications; author validation protocols and reports documentation per Design Control and QMS requirements
Lead collaboration with internal teams and external partners to evaluate, qualify, and scale sustainable materials and packaging solutions globally
Support chemical-compliance and biocompatibility evaluations to ensure regulatory readiness and provide data for product filings
Translate complex test results into clear technical reports, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations that guide product and business decisions
Mentor and coach engineers and technicians to strengthen experimental design, data integrity, and sustainability best practices across the materials function
Qualification
Required
M.S., or Ph.D. degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline
8+ years of R&D experience involving polymers, packaging, or medical devices
Proven expertise in polymer characterization, structure–property analysis, and material compatibility evaluation
Must have the technical abilities to apply results to product performance metrics
Strong background in sustainability and recycled materials development, including processing, evaluation, and qualification for value-added applications
Hands-on experience in packaging materials design, development, and validation for medical or consumer products
Excellent technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Strong analytical thinking and ability to translate data into practical engineering recommendations
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and influence cross-functional stakeholders
Demonstrated learning agility, ownership, and a proactive, results-driven mindset
Ability to take initiative, follow through, and approach challenges with curiosity and persistence in a fast-paced environment
High standards of execution, integrity, and accountability, with a strong commitment to achieving results and goals
Preferred
Experience evaluating material interactions for chemical and functional compatibility with medical devices and packaging systems
Knowledge of environmental, chemical, and packaging compliance standards, including REACH, RoHS, Prop 65, TSCA, ISO 10993, and ISO 11607
Familiarity with sustainable packaging materials, validation methods, and relevant ASTM and ISTA test standards (e.g., ASTM F88, F1980; ISTA 3A)
Working knowledge of design control, risk management, and validation processes in accordance with ISO 13485 and FDA QSR requirements
Benefits
Medical (with a Health Savings Account option for some plan offerings)
Dental
Vision
Discounts on Invisalign and Vivera to employees and their eligible dependents after 90 days of employment
Back-up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge
Family Forming Benefits – Available to Employees, and their spouse or domestic partner, covered under one of Align’s health plans
Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services
Employee Assistance Program
Hinge Health Virtual Physical Therapy – Available to all employees and eligible dependents (age 18+) enrolled in an Align medical Plan
Short-term and long-term disability insurance in accordance with those plans.
Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment.
Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse/Domestic Partner, and Child(ren) are available for purchase in accordance with those plans.
Flexible Spending Accounts – Employees may be eligible to participate in a health care account (including a limited health FSA if enrolled in a HDHP), dependent care account, and a pre-tax commuter benefit plan.
401k plan (with a discretionary Company match of 50% up to 6% of eligible earnings up to a maximum match of 3%.). Employer match vests after two years – 25% year one and 100% at year two. Align offers traditional, Roth, and after-tax options.
Employee Stock Purchase Program (Employees must work 20 hours or more and be employed on purchase date to be eligible).
Paid vacation of up to 17 days during the first full year of employment (currently accrued at the rate of 5.24 hours each pay-period), which carries over to a maximum cap of 30 days. Annual paid vacation time accrual increases based on tenure.
Sick time is accrued throughout the year at the rate of one hour for every thirty worked. Employees can carry over unused sick leave each year, up to a maximum balance of 80 hours.
11 Company-designated paid holidays throughout the year.
If employed for at least 12 consecutive months, Align will grant up to 6 weeks of paid Parental Leave. If employed for less than 12 consecutive months, Align will grant up to 4 weeks of paid Parental Leave. All parental leave must be completed within one year of the birth or placement of the child.
Three days of paid bereavement leave.
Non-exempt employees will receive full pay for up to 10 days of jury duty. Exempt employees will receive their full salary during any week they serve and perform any work.
Other insurance such as legal, critical illness, voluntary accident, long-term care, auto, home and pet insurance are available for purchase.
Company
Align Technology
Align Technology, Inc. designs, manufactures, and markets the invisalign system for treating malocclusion or the misalignment of teeth.
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
Align Technology has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (75)
2024 (57)
2023 (49)
2022 (60)
2021 (66)
2020 (31)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$136MKey Investors
QuestMark PartnersComdisco Ventures
2001-01-26IPO
2000-06-21Series D· $105M
1999-10-07Series Unknown· $26M
Leadership Team
Joseph Hogan
CEO, President, and Director
Ben Park
Head, Emerging Technology | Research & Development
Recent News
Morningstar.com
2025-12-29
2025-12-11
Company data provided by crunchbase