Senior Scientist, Directed Energy Protection

Cambium Biomaterials; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 166,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision benefits

401(k) matching

Professional development reimbursement

Equity potential

Job summary

Cambium Biomaterials in El Segundo, CA, seeks an experienced applied scientist/engineer to lead design, fabrication, prototyping and testing of directed energy protection technologies for sensors. The materials span organic dyes, polymers, and inorganic structures optimized for aeronautical environments.

You will guide a project team, analyze data, develop a technology roadmap, and collaborate with government and industry partners to advance products from concept to field-ready systems.

Qualifications

• PhD in Optical Engineering, Materials Science or related field.
• 6+ years designing optical materials/devices post PhD.
• 4+ years leading technical projects (PI).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and proposal writing.
• U.S. Citizen due to government contracts.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a team of engineers/scientists in optical product development.
• Lead government-contracted projects to develop technology into products.
• Develop a technology roadmap for directed energy protection products.
• Collaborate with R&D and business development teams.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Technical writing

Education

PhD in Optical Engineering / Polymer Chemistry / Physical Chemistry / Optical Physics / Materials Science

Tools

Optical design software

Metasurfaces knowledge

Job description

Senior Scientist Directed Energy Protection

Cambium is a global company building the advanced materials base for reindustrialization — from AI-driven molecular design to agile domestic manufacturing. Defense, aerospace, and other high-performance applications demand materials that are stronger, lighter, and more resilient, delivered at unprecedented speed and scale. Our team of world-class scientists and engineers was assembled specifically to take on those challenges. Whether enabling hypersonic flight or protecting critical systems, our solutions solve mission-critical problems and push the limits of what's possible. Come join us and revolutionize advanced materials for defense, aerospace, and beyond.

THE ROLE

Cambium is seeking an experienced and pragmatic applied scientist/engineer to lead design, fabrication, prototyping, and testing or technology that protects sensors from directed energy. The materials are both organic dyes and polymers as well as inorganic structures. This will require the ability to solve technical problems, both independently and as part of a team, while developing new products and new manufacturing processes for operation in an aeronautical environment.

Significant aspects of the position include the technical lead of a team conducting experiments; analyzing data; design and control of equipment; troubleshooting both R&D and manufacturing equipment; building and executing a product roadmap; and ensuring all technical work is focused towards your product vision. It is expected there will be opportunities to contribute to other programs of interest to the company including laser eyewear protection.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Project Strategy and Leadership:
• Supervise a team engineers/scientists involved in optical product development projects
• Lead multiple government contracted projects to develop technology into products
• Ideation for new products and approaches to expand Cambium’s portfolio
• Develop and execute a technology roadmap for directed energy protection products
• Participate in strategic planning and assessment of directed energy protection products
• Participate in R&D business development and capture efforts.
• Work collaboratively within the R&D team.
• Technical Expertise:
• Overseeing some of design, simulation, fabrication, and testing efforts for optics.
• Knowledge of optical materials and physics.
• Experience with metasurfaces, plasmonics, and optical absorbers is highly desirable.
• Customer-facing engagement and technical material preparation.
• Proposal preparation.
• Understand current technology and pitch future enhancements and strategies.
• Communicate (telephone/email/in-person) engagement with government and industry.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Ph.D. in a relevant technology field (i.e., Optical Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Optical Physics, Materials Science, etc.).
• 6+ years of experience in the design and development of optical materials and devices post graduate school.
• 4 years of experience in technical project leadership (i.e., principal investigator).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and project management skills.
• Expertise in optical sciences and related disciplines
• Technical writing, proposal preparation, and technical presentation.
• Participation in the complete technology development cycle: design to field testing is desired.
• NOTE - Must be a U.S. Citizen due to clients under U.S. government contracts.

SALARY/HOURLY: $135,000 - $166,000

BENEFITS: Cambium offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits plan. This includes excellent medical/dental/vision benefits, and a matching 401(k) plan, professional development reimbursement, and an opportunity for equity for most full-time positions