Senior Polymers & Materials Science Leader

Exponent; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 190,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) employer contribution 7%

Job summary

Exponent is seeking a Senior Managing Scientist to lead interdisciplinary polymer and chemistry projects across life sciences, consumer products, construction, and automotive applications. You will guide teams, advance client engagements, and uphold scientific integrity with strong communication to diverse audiences.

The role requires 5–10 years of consulting experience, a proven business development record, and a commitment to mentoring technical staff, with travel to client sites as needed.

Qualifications

• PhD in Polymer Science or Materials Science with a focus on polymer structure-property-end use performance relationships.
• Minimum of 5 years of consulting experience in the polymer science or materials science space.
• Proven track record of business generation and attracting new and repeat clients or funding.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make informed recommendations in your scientific field.
• Outstanding reputation among clients and the scientific community for integrity, responsiveness, and technical expertise.
• Adept people management abilities coupled with extensive experience in successfully overseeing and executing complex projects.
• Strong commitment to professional development.

Responsibilities

• Leveraging deep knowledge in polymer science to address a wide range of complex challenges across diverse client sectors, delivering scientifically rigorous and impactful solutions.
• Identifying, pursuing, and securing new client engagements by understanding emerging needs and building long-term partnerships.
• Maintaining and growing trusted relationships with existing clients by consistently delivering high-quality work, anticipating future needs, and serving as a strategic advisor.
• Building, managing, and empowering multidisciplinary teams, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and scientific integrity.
• Providing guidance, coaching, and professional development opportunities to technical staff, supporting their growth into future leaders and experts.
• Ensuring successful project execution through effective planning, resource allocation, and budget management, while maintaining high standards of quality and timeliness.
• Offering high-level scientific and strategic advice to both internal stakeholders and external clients, contributing to the firm's thought leadership and client impact.
• Enhancing the firm's visibility and credibility by publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at industry conferences, leading seminars, and participating in expert advisory or technical committees.
• Inspecting, testing and analyzing various polymeric materials to assess their specifications and/or reliability in a variety of applications from a wide range of industries.
• Performing root cause investigations on failing or underperforming materials/components by scientifically examining the development, manufacturing or end-use environment of products specified for use in the construction, medical device, consumer electronics, and automotive industries.
• Analyzing information and conveying technical conclusions to individuals in engineering, business, law, and industry, as well as communicating testing rationale in the context of product development, product defect claims, and intellectual property dispute(s).

Skills

PhD in Polymer Science

5+ years consulting

Business development

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Client reputation

People management

Professional development

Education

PhD in Polymer Science

Job description

Exponent is seeking a Senior Managing Scientist to lead interdisciplinary polymer and chemistry projects across life sciences, consumer products, construction, and automotive applications. You will guide teams, advance client engagements, and uphold scientific integrity with strong communication to diverse audiences.

The role requires 5–10 years of consulting experience, a proven business development record, and a commitment to mentoring technical staff, with travel to client sites as needed.