Senior Manager - Materials Science

Sirius Talent Group; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 165,000 - 188,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Sirius Talent Group is seeking a Senior Manager of Materials Science to lead a team of scientists and engineers in developing and qualifying materials for medical devices in a regulated environment.

You will oversee material selection, testing, and qualification, collaborating with R&D, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory teams while mentoring a high-performing organization to deliver safe, high-quality products for patients.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering (materials focus), Materials Science, Polymer Science, or related field.
• 12+ years of post-Ph.D. industry experience in materials science, chemistry, polymers, or related fields.
• At least 3 years of direct people management leading teams of 6–8+ professionals.
• Experience selecting, qualifying, or characterizing materials for medical devices or other highly regulated products.
• Strong knowledge of materials used in medical devices including polymers, plastics, elastomers, coatings, composites, biomaterials.
• Hands-on experience with material characterization and analytical or mechanical testing techniques such as spectroscopy, chromatography, microscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical testing.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 6–8 scientists and engineers while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Oversee the selection, development, testing, and qualification of materials used in medical device products.
• Provide technical leadership for material characterization and mechanical testing activities.
• Collaborate with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and other teams to support product development and commercialization.
• Lead multiple programs, aligning priorities, timelines, and resources with business goals.
• Evaluate material performance, investigate issues, and identify practical solutions to engineering challenges.
• Support regulatory compliance by ensuring materials meet quality and safety standards.
• Build cross-functional relationships and influence decisions in a matrixed environment.
• Contribute to long-term materials strategy, technology roadmaps, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or related field

Tools

Spectroscopy

Chromatography

Microscopy

Thermal analysis

Mechanical testing

Job description

• Compensation: Dependent on Experience, $165,000–$188,000 Salary + Bonus
• Relocation Assistance Available for Qualified Candidates

Position Overview

We're seeking an experienced Senior Manager of Materials Science to lead a team of scientists and engineers focused on developing, evaluating, and selecting materials used in innovative medical devices. This role combines technical leadership, people management, and cross-functional collaboration to support the development of safe, high-quality products that improve patient care.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished materials science leader with a strong background in polymers, plastics, biomaterials, or other materials used in regulated medical products. You'll partner with research and development, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory teams to solve complex technical challenges while mentoring a high-performing scientific organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of approximately 6–8 scientists and engineers while fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture.
• Oversee the selection, development, testing, and qualification of materials used in medical device products.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance for material characterization, analytical testing, and mechanical testing activities.
• Partner with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Regulatory, and other cross-functional teams to support product development and commercialization.
• Lead multiple technical programs simultaneously, ensuring priorities, timelines, and resources remain aligned with business objectives.
• Evaluate material performance, investigate technical issues, and help identify practical solutions to complex engineering challenges.
• Support regulatory compliance by ensuring materials meet applicable quality, safety, and industry standards.
• Build strong working relationships across technical and business functions while influencing decisions in a collaborative, matrixed environment.
• Contribute to long-term materials strategy, technology roadmaps, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Promote innovation, technical excellence, and professional growth across the materials science organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering (with a materials focus), Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a closely related scientific discipline.
• Minimum of 12 years of post-doctoral or post-graduate industry experience in materials science, chemistry, polymers, or related fields.
• At least 3 years of direct people management experience leading technical teams of approximately 6–8 or more professionals.
• Experience developing, selecting, qualifying, or characterizing materials for medical devices or other highly regulated products.
• Strong knowledge of materials commonly used in medical devices, including polymers, plastics, elastomers, coatings, adhesives, composites, biomaterials, or specialty materials.
• Experience working in a cross-functional, matrixed organization with the ability to influence stakeholders across multiple departments.
• Hands-on experience with materials characterization and analytical or mechanical testing techniques such as spectroscopy, chromatography, microscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical testing, or other comparable laboratory methods.
• Excellent communication, leadership, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States – Sponsorship is not available now or in the future

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within the medical device industry.
• Experience supporting new product development from concept through commercialization.
• Experience managing laboratory operations, troubleshooting technical challenges, and mentoring scientific teams.
• Record of innovation through patents, publications, or technical presentations.
• Experience working with biocompatible materials, polymers, plastics, coatings, or other advanced materials used in healthcare products.

Sirius Staffing is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to characteristics such as race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by law.