Sr. Technical Specialist, Polymer Technology

Lucid Motors; Newark (CA); On-site; USD 204,000 - 299,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity program

Discretionary annual cash incentive

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

Lucid Motors in Newark, CA seeks a Sr. Technical Specialist in Polymer Technology to lead plastics expertise from concept through product launch.

You will spearhead a Polymer Technology team—covering material vetting, design optimization, testing, DFM and process improvements—while collaborating with design engineers and suppliers to optimize function, efficiency, and cost. The role requires deep polymer knowledge across thermoplastics, elastomers, adhesives, coatings, and composites, plus

Qualifications

• 10+ years across materials, design, tooling, process and testing.
• 5+ years leading material selection with accountability and strategy shaping.
• Automotive development experience from concept to launch.
• Strong knowledge of polymers: plastics, elastomers, adhesives, coatings, composites.
• Design rules for function, manufacturing, cost optimization.
• Hands‑on with plastic injection molding and process optimization.
• Experience with secondary processes: joining, painting, plating, lamination.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; able to travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Support plastics expertise and own all polymer-related aspects from concept to product launch.
• Lead Polymer Technology Team across vetting/selection/qualification, design optimization, testing, DFM, process simulation, tooling, and process improvements.
• Collaborate with design engineers and suppliers; engage cross‑functional teams in material attributes ownership.
• Provide technical guidance, problem solving, and holistic decision making.
• Drive innovation by identifying technology needs and converting them into scalable demonstrations.
• Own standardization of materials, tooling, and processes.

Skills

polymer materials knowledge

leadership

verbal & written communication

DFM & process optimization

flow simulation interpretation

injection molding

vehicle development experience

travel up to 20%

Education

B.S. in polymer engineering, material science or related field

Job description

Sr. Technical Specialist, Polymer Technology

Newark, CA

About Lucid

At Lucid, we are creating exceptional mobility experiences through innovation to drive the world forward. Built on Lucid’s proprietary technology and software-defined vehicle architecture, our award-winning vehicles bring our “Compromise Nothing™” approach to the global automotive market. That means refusing to choose between performance and sustainability, design and engineering, ambition and integrity. In Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity, we have designed and built vehicles that have redefined their segments, combining exceptional range, performance, design, and expansive space in a single experience.

We achieve this through deep vertical integration, with design, engineering, and productionhappening in-houseacross our global offices andmanufacturingfacilities. Ourteamscomefromindustriesaround the world, united by a shared commitment to excellence. By refusing to settle, youcanhelpredefinewhat’spossible andshape the future of mobility.

Senior Technical Specialist – Polymer Technology

The Role:

• Be a significant contributor to a world-class organization by supporting with plastics expertise and owning all polymer-related aspects from concept phase to product launch
• Lead Polymer Technology Team, an internal group of specialists covering material vetting/selection/qualification, design optimization, testing, as well as DFM, process simulation, tooling, process improvements. While the team closely collaborates with design engineers and suppliers throughout product development process (optimizing part function, efficiency, and cost), it is also involved with cross-functional teams (supply chain, industrialization, quality, studio, legal, etc) in ownership of material attributes
• Be an expert contributor to address specialized/niche subject matter not covered by team’s experience
• Utilize understanding of polymer materials (thermoplastics/elastomers/thermosets, coverstocks, adhesive, paint/coating, composites) and processing (DFM, process simulation, tooling, process) for technical guidance and education of the organization, problem solving, and holistic decision-making processes
• Drive innovation by identifying technology needs, and conversion into scalable “technology demonstrator” protypes.
• Own standardization of materials, tooling, and processes.

Qualifications:

• B.S.in polymer engineering, material science or related field
• 10+ years’ experience, supporting multiple systems across the vehicle in aspects of materials, engineering design, tooling, process and testing. 5+ years of responsibility leading material selection with accountability, and shaping material/design/tooling strategy
• Must have worked in automotive development environment through complete product development process from concept to launch
• Good knowledge of polymer materials in all forms (thermoplastics, elastomers, adhesives, coverstock (coated fabric, textiles), paint, composites), and their use in automotive components
• Familiar with design rules for function, manufacturing, and cost optimization
• Significant involvement in interpretation of flow simulation and tool design.
• Proven hands‑on experience with plastic injection molding process, including process optimization
• Experience with secondary processes (e.g. joining, painting, plating, press/vacuum lamination)
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills
• Able to travel domestically and internationally up to 20% if needed

Advantageous:

• M.S. or PhD in polymer engineering, material science or related field
• Experience with other plastic manufacturing processes (incl. lesser common variants) and their part designs (e.g. water assisted IM, extrusion, blow molding, thermal forming, compression molding, pultrusion, slush molding, RTM)
• Experience developing and implementing test methods and material characterization.

At Lucid, we don’t just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.

Salary Range: The compensation range for this position is specific to the locations listed below and is the range Lucid reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; and other relevant business and organizational factors.

Base Pay Range (Annual)

$203,900 - $298,980 USD

Compensation & Benefits: Lucid offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays, paid sick leave; and a401(k) retirementplan. Hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off, and salaried/exempt employee accrue up to 160 hours paid time off. Eligible employees may also participate in Lucid’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual cash incentive program. Incentive and equity awards, if applicable, are determined based on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Equal Opportunity: At Lucid, we believe diversity strengthens everything we build. Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal laws and regulations.

Accessibility: Lucid Motors is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need any accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at TA-Operations <@> lucidmotors.com. This email address is designated solely for accommodation requests and is not monitored for job applications or resume submissions. To be considered for employment, all applications must be submitted through the Lucid Motors Careers website.