Product Design & Innovation Lead

InventWood; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

InventWood is seeking a Product Design & Innovation Lead to drive development across industries, including mass timber applications, furniture, and transportation. You will translate material science breakthroughs into real-world solutions and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

This hands-on role involves rapid prototyping, customer-facing activities, and working with IP counsel to protect innovations while advancing material performance and code-compliant designs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in structural/related field required.
• PE license preferred or in progress; 5–10 years of experience in structural design, testing, or materials engineering.
• Strong background in wood design, joinery, fabrication, and construction practices.
• Ability to interpret and apply building codes and standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel solutions leveraging InventWood’s unique capabilities and properties.
• Collaborate with product development and R&D teams to test and confirm the structural performance of InventWood materials in architectural and construction applications.
• Design and analyze structural designs using InventWood’s materials, including simulations, calculations, and physical testing.
• Provide expertise in the design, prototyping, and evaluation of structural systems and assemblies.
• Lead prototyping activities and contribute hands-on to build and test assemblies.
• Prepare detailed technical reports and documentation for structural evaluations and code compliance.
• Support IP development and liaise with counsel for patent filing and prosecution.

Skills

Structural design

Sustainability

Innovation

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Structural/Mechanical/Civil Engineering

Master’s degree in Structural Engineering

Tools

FEA

Job description

InventWood offers an extraordinary opportunity for a Product Design & Innovation Lead to shape the future of materials. In this role, you will drive the development of new products across a wide range of industries.

Position Overview

InventWood offers an extraordinary opportunity for a Product Design & Innovation Lead to shape the future of materials. In this role, you will drive the development of new products across a wide range of industries. Within building products, this includes mass timber applications such as cladding, decking, railings, fencing, flooring, and other architectural materials. Beyond construction, InventWood’s technology extends to furniture, sporting goods, and transportation applications spanning automotive, rail, and aerospace. With strength and performance that can be literally bulletproof, the material also enables compelling military uses. Given the scale and versatility of this breakthrough, few—if any—materials in history have had the potential to be adopted so rapidly across such a broad spectrum of global applications.

The Product Design & Innovation Lead will report directly to the CEO and work closely with cross-functional teams, including product development, R&D, and external partners, translating our material science breakthroughs into real-world solutions. This role will be both a customer-facing role and a hands-on implementer at our plant and fabrication shop. They will be expected to rapidly assess existing solutions across multiple market opportunities, and to develop a range of potential solutions with SuperWood. They would then rapidly implement prototypes utilizing our internal woodshop and/or external fabricators. This role will also represent us with potential customers, learn more about markets, and share preliminary solutions to key stakeholders. They will be expected to work closely with IP counsel in developing related intellectual property to protect our innovations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Development of novel solutions to market needs, leveraging SuperWood’s unique capabilities and properties.
• Collaborate with product development and R&D teams to test and confirm the structural performance of InventWood materials in architectural and construction applications.
• Design and analyze structural designs using InventWood’s materials, including simulations, calculations, and physical testing.
• Provide expertise in the design, prototyping, and evaluation of structural systems and assemblies.
• Lead and participate in prototyping activities on a hands-on basis, helping to build, assemble and test various assemblies and systems.
• Interpret and apply building codes, ASTM standards, and sustainability certifications (LEED, EPD, etc.)
• Support material certification processes and ensure adherence to applicable building codes and standards.
• Partner with architects, designers, and manufacturers to integrate InventWood technologies into real-world projects.
• Prepare detailed technical reports, specifications, and documentation for structural evaluations and code compliance.
• Conduct finite element analysis (FEA), load testing, and failure mode assessments
• Contribute to R&D efforts to expand material applications and improve performance metrics.
• Support the development of new intellectual property, including supporting our legal counsel with the filing and prosecution of new patents.
• Present findings to internal teams, clients, and regulatory bodies.
• Contribute to continuous improvement in material performance, testing protocols, and engineering workflows.

Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate combines deep technical structural design ability with a passion for sustainability, innovation, and collaboration.
• Track record of successful innovation across multiple prior engagements
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field.
• Strong background in wood design, joinery, fabrication, and construction practices.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred or in progress. At least 5-10 years of experience in structural design, testing, or materials engineering.