Polymer Foam Scientist - R&D for Semiconductors

CHEManager International; Cameron Park (CA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 137,000; Full time

Job summary

ITW seeks a seasoned polymer scientist to lead R&D on polymer foams and electronic-grade materials for semiconductor applications in California. You will design formulations, develop scalable manufacturing processes, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

The role requires a PhD (or MS with extensive industrial experience) and 5+ years in polymer foam or related process development, with expertise in DOE, Six Sigma, and materials characterization (FTIR, DSC, TGA, rheology, microscopy).

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field. M.S. with extensive industrial experience will also be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in polymer foam development, semiconductor materials, or related process development roles.
• Experience in colloidal chemistry or electrochemistry is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of polymer engineering principles, including foaming mechanisms (physical and chemical), polymer morphology, and rheology.
• Experience tuning foam structure-property relationships such as density, cell size, mechanical strength, and thermal behavior.
• Hands-on experience with semiconductor-compatible polymer materials, including low-k dielectrics, photoresists, or encapsulants, is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in experimental design, data analysis, and process optimization (DOE, Six Sigma, etc.).
• Strong problem-solving skills, project management abilities, and an innovation-driven mindset.
• Experience with material characterization tools such as FTIR, DSC, TGA, rheology, SEC, and microscopy
• Knowledge of Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical process optimization methods
• Exposure to high-performance or industrial-scale manufacturing environments
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute R&D projects focused on the development and characterization of polymeric foams, including structure-property-performance relationships.
• Design, synthesize, and optimize polymer formulations for electronic-grade materials with applications in semiconductor devices.
• Develop and scale up manufacturing processes for polymer materials, ensuring compatibility with semiconductor fabrication standards (e.g., cleanroom protocols, low outgassing).
• Collaborate cross-functionally with materials scientists, process engineers, and product development teams to translate research into scalable commercial solutions.
• Evaluate new raw materials, additives, and processing aids to enhance foam properties, thermal stability, dielectric performance, and mechanical strength.
• Use analytical tools (e.g., DSC, TGA, FTIR, SEM, rheometry) to assess polymer and foam behavior under various process and environmental conditions.
• Stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in polymer science, semiconductor materials, and advanced manufacturing.
• Prepare technical reports, patents, and present findings to internal stakeholders and at external scientific forums.

Skills

Experiment design

Data analysis

Process optimization

Project management

Communication

Innovation mindset

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Polymer Science or related

M.S. with extensive industrial experience

Tools

FTIR

DSC

TGA

Rheology

SEC

Microscopy

Job description

ITW seeks a seasoned polymer scientist to lead R&D on polymer foams and electronic-grade materials for semiconductor applications in California. You will design formulations, develop scalable manufacturing processes, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

The role requires a PhD (or MS with extensive industrial experience) and 5+ years in polymer foam or related process development, with expertise in DOE, Six Sigma, and materials characterization (FTIR, DSC, TGA, rheology, microscopy).