Senior Polymer Foam Scientist & R&D Leader

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

Job summary

ITW Rippey in California seeks a senior researcher to lead R&D on polymer foams and related formulations for electronic-grade materials used in semiconductor devices.

You will design and scale up processes, collaborate across functions, apply DOE/Six Sigma methods, and present findings to stakeholders. The role requires leadership, advanced polymer knowledge, and a track record in scalable manufacturing.

Qualifications

• PhD in Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field; MS with extensive industrial experience also considered.
• 5+ years 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, 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 polymers (low-k dielectrics, photoresists, encapsulants) is desirable.
• DOE and statistical process optimization methods knowledge; Six Sigma experience
• Excellent communication, problem solving, and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute R&D projects focused on polymeric foams, including structure-property-performance relationships.
• Design, synthesize, and optimize polymer formulations for electronic-grade materials for semiconductor devices.
• Develop and scale up manufacturing processes for polymer materials compliant with cleanroom standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate research into scalable commercial solutions.
• Evaluate materials and additives to enhance foam properties, thermal stability, and dielectric performance.
• Use analytical tools (DSC, TGA, FTIR, SEM, rheology) to study material behavior under varied conditions.
• Stay updated on trends in polymer science and semiconductor materials; present findings to stakeholders.
• Prepare technical reports and patents; present findings at internal and external forums.

Skills

Polymer foam development

Semiconductor materials

DOE / Six Sigma

Project management

Structure-property relationships

Education

PhD in Polymer Science or related

MS with extensive industrial experience

Tools

FTIR

DSC

TGA

Rheology

SEC

Microscopy

Job description

ITW Rippey in California seeks a senior researcher to lead R&D on polymer foams and related formulations for electronic-grade materials used in semiconductor devices.

You will design and scale up processes, collaborate across functions, apply DOE/Six Sigma methods, and present findings to stakeholders. The role requires leadership, advanced polymer knowledge, and a track record in scalable manufacturing.