Sr. Scientist, Adhesives

Lyten; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 128,000 - 192,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tier-based bonus

Equity

Healthcare

Dental

Vision

Corporate discounts

Paid holidays

PTO

Sick time

401K

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Lyten is seeking a Senior Scientist, Adhesives to lead development of next‑generation adhesives and thermal materials for high‑performance industrial applications. You will build formulations from raw materials, validate them through stability and mechanical testing, and guide products from lab to pilot and production.

This on‑site role requires hands‑on capability, collaboration with product and manufacturing teams, and a track record of translating customer needs into robust material solutions

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 3+ years of polymer/adhesives formulation experience.
• Strong fundamentals in polymer chemistry, rheology, and cure chemistry.
• Hands-on lab experience with formulation and characterization equipment.
• Ability to design and interpret DOEs independently.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs and perform lab tasks.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and optimize adhesives and thermal solutions to hit target specs.
• Characterize formulations using rheometry and thermal analysis.
• Design and run reliability test protocols and interpret failure modes.
• Lead root‑cause troubleshooting on formulation issues.
• Develop new TIM formulations and scale to production.
• Collaborate with process engineering to scale lab formulations.
• Translate semiconductor thermal requirements into formulation specs.
• Document formulations, test protocols, and results.
• Provide regular technical updates on progress.

Skills

Polymer chemistry

Rheology

Cure chemistry

DOE design

Lab testing

Physical stamina

Education

Master’s in Chemistry/Materials Science/Chemical Engineering

PhD in Chemistry/Materials Science

Tools

Rheometer

DSC

TGA

Laser flash

Thermal conductivity testing

Job description

Lyten is leading an industrial revolution through Lyten 3D Graphene™, a breakthrough supermaterial unlocking a new generation of products — from lithium–sulfur batteries and energy storage systems to concrete admixtures, lightweight composites, and next-generation sensors that are revolutionizing industries. Together, these innovations are making a massive global improvement and driving real-world impact across energy, mobility, construction, and defense.

At Lyten, we believe the most meaningful careers begin with purpose — and with people who want to make a difference. We’re not just developing advanced supermaterials — we’re about to change the world as we know it, reshaping how energy is stored, how products are built, and how progress is made.

We’re entering an exciting growth phase, scaling production across the U.S. and Europe and expanding our team of engineers, scientists, and innovators.

Lyten is seeking a Senior Scientist, Adhesives to lead the development of next‑generation adhesives and thermal material formulations for high‑performance industrial applications, building new formulations from raw materials rather than adapting existing ones. This role is at the center of a growing materials portfolio, directly shaping products that address some of the most demanding thermal management challenges in the industry.

This is an applied, commercial product development role spanning the full formulation lifecycle: screening and characterizing raw materials and fillers, qualifying suppliers, building formulations from first principles, and validating them through stability, mechanical, and performance testing, while working with product management to align formulation direction with customer and market requirements. We’re seeking candidates with a proven track record of bringing materials from the lab into scaled manufacturing, rather than purely academic or fundamental research experience, and whose background is built on working with raw materials rather than finished adhesive products.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and optimize adhesives and thermal solutions chemistries, tuning filler loading, dispersion, cure chemistry, and rheology modifiers to hit target thermal conductivity, mechanical compliance, and cure profile specs.

• Characterize formulations using rheometry, DSC/TGA, thermal conductivity analysis, and mechanical testing (compression set, hardness) to validate performance against spec.

• Design and run reliability test protocols (thermal cycling, high-temp/high-humidity aging, pump-out resistance, reflow exposure) and interpret failure modes against end‑use requirements.

• Lead root‑cause troubleshooting on formulation issues surfaced by customers, QA, or manufacturing, from hypothesis through corrective formulation change.

• Develop new TIM formulations and chemistries to expand the product portfolio, from initial concept through lab‑scale proof of formulation.

• Collaborate with process engineering to scale lab formulations to pilot and production batches, adjusting formulations for mixing, dispensing, and cure equipment constraints.

• Partner with product management and customers to translate semiconductor thermal requirements (die‑level, package‑level, system‑level) into formulation specs.

• Provide feedback and specifications to the materials team, translating product goals into clear material requirements.

• Document formulations, test protocols, and results; support IP capture and patent filings.

• Provide regular technical updates to the team on formulation progress, test results, and troubleshooting outcomes.

• Stay current on TIM, adhesives, and thermal management literature and competitive landscape.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field with 3+ years of industry or postdoctoral formulation experience in polymer/adhesives formulation.

• Strong fundamentals in polymer chemistry, rheology, and cure chemistry (addition‑cure or condensation‑cure silicones, or analogous thermoset/thermoplastic systems).

• Hands‑on lab experience with formulation, mixing, and characterization equipment (rheometer, DSC, TGA, laser flash/thermal conductivity testing).

• Ability to design and interpret DOEs independently.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform general lab physical tasks (standing, bending, repetitive mixing/dispensing motions) for extended periods.

• Comfortable working with solvents and chemical formulations under standard PPE and fume hood protocols.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related field with 3+ years of industry experience.

• Direct experience formulating thermal interface materials (gap fillers, pads, greases, or PCMs).

• Experience designing and running reliability testing protocols and interpreting failure data.

• Track record of troubleshooting formulation or manufacturing issues to root cause.

• Familiarity with semiconductor packaging thermal requirements (CPU/GPU/ASIC cooling, die‑attach, heat spreader interfaces).

• Experience with filler systems (boron nitride, aluminum oxide, aluminum nitride, graphite) and dispersion/loading optimization.

• Exposure to scale‑up from lab to pilot/production.

Please note: This is a hands‑on, on‑site role.

Compensations Range:

The expected base salary range for this position is between

$128,200.00 - $192,400.00

The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job‑related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise.

Disclosures:

Pay Transparency Disclosure:

This compensation and benefits information is based on Lyten’s estimate as of the date of publication and may be modified in the future. We generally do not negotiate on salary once we have made an offer. The level of pay within the range will depend on a variety of job‑related factors that may include location, relevant prior experience and/or education, or particular skills and expertise. New hires joining the company tend to be paid within the starting base pay range noted above, with opportunities to increase pay over time based on development of additional skills, competencies, and company‑specific knowledge.

In addition to base pay this position is eligible for tier based bonus and equity, healthcare, dental, vision, corporate discounts, paid holidays, PTO and sick time, 401K, employee relocation plan (if applicable)

Export/ITAR Compliance Disclosure:

Certain positions within Lyten, Inc. require compliance with export control laws and, as a result, all interviewed candidates will be screened pre‑interview to determine their eligibility in light of export restrictions.

This position requires access to technology, software and other information that is subject to governmental access control restrictions, due to export controls. Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of government authorization to authorize release of such items, to the extent required, including without limitation an export license, or other documentation required to establish authorization to receive access to such items. Company may delay commencement of employment, rescind an offer of employment, terminate employment, and/or may modify job responsibilities, compensation, benefits, and/or access to Company facilities and information systems, as Company deems appropriate, in order to ensure compliance with applicable government access control restrictions.

Lyten is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. EEO Employer/Vet/Disabled.

Principals only; third party or agency submitted candidates will not be considered.

Why Work at Lyten

At Lyten, you’ll be part of a team that’s redefining what’s possible in energy, materials, and manufacturing. We’re not just imagining the future — we’re building it today with breakthrough technologies that are changing how products are made and how industries innovate.

Our people are the heart of that mission. From world‑class scientists and engineers to creative problem‑solvers in operations, manufacturing, and commercialization, every member of the Lyten team plays a role in turning bold ideas into real‑world impact. We believe that the best work happens when you’re doing great things in the world — with people you like. Collaboration, curiosity, and a shared sense of purpose drive everything we do.

What You’ll Find at Lyten

• A mission that matters: Contribute directly to solving complex challenges in energy, mobility, and materials innovation.

• Cutting‑edge innovation: Work on technologies at the intersection of materials science, energy storage, and advanced manufacturing that strengthen energy security and local supply chains.

• Extraordinary people: Join a team of talented, friendly, and down‑to‑earth innovators who support, challenge, and inspire one another every day.

• Teamwork and culture: Experience a workplace built on trust, respect, and shared success — where collaboration fuels breakthroughs and everyone’s ideas are heard.

• Global impact: Help scale new materials and energy solutions that reinforce industrial resilience across the U.S. and Europe.

• Career growth: Be part of a fast‑moving company entering a commercial growth phase, with opportunities to lead, learn, and make your mark.

• Purpose‑driven values: Thrive in an environment that celebrates ingenuity, optimism, and meaningful progress — together.

Lyten offers the opportunity to do the most important work of your career — helping build the technologies that will power the next century of innovation.