Sr. Technical Specialist, Polymer Technology

Lucid Motors USA, Inc.; Newark, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 204,000 - 299,000; Full time

Job summary

Lucid Motors in Newark, CA seeks a Senior Technical Specialist – Polymer Technology to own polymer-related aspects from concept to launch. You will lead a cross-functional Polymer Technology Team, driving material vetting, design optimization, testing, DFM, and process improvements across vehicle programs.

Advanced knowledge of thermoplastics, elastomers, adhesives, paints, and composites is essential, with hands-on injection molding and manufacturing process experience.

Qualifications

• BS in polymer engineering or related field; 10+ years in materials, design, tooling, process and testing; automotive development experience.
• 5+ years leading material selection and shaping material/design/tooling strategy; proven track record.
• Experience across complete product development from concept to launch.
• Knowledge of polymer materials and their use in automotive components.
• Familiar with design rules for function, manufacturing, and cost optimization.
• Involvement in interpretation of flow simulation and tool design.
• Hands-on experience with plastic injection molding and process optimization.
• Experience with secondary processes (joining, painting, plating, lamination).
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Be a significant contributor by owning all polymer-related aspects from concept to launch.
• Lead Polymer Technology Team covering material vetting, design optimization, testing, DFM, process simulation, tooling, and improvements.
• Address niche topics not covered by the team to raise capability.
• Apply knowledge of polymers and processing for technical guidance and education across the organization.
• Drive innovation by identifying needs and turning them into scalable technology demonstrators.
• Own standardization of materials, tooling, and processes.

Skills

Polymer engineering

Material science

Automotive development

DFM

Process simulation

Injection molding

Testing

Cross-functional collaboration

Design optimization

Travel readiness

Education

BS in polymer engineering

MS/PhD in polymer engineering

Tools

Process simulation software

Injection molding tooling

Job description

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 production happening in-house across our global offices and manufacturing facilities. Our teams come from industries around the world, united by a shared commitment to excellence. By refusing to settle, you can help redefine what’s possible and shape 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

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, aredeterminedbased on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results,in accordance withthe 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 anyaccommodation toparticipatein 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.

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To all recruitment agencies

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