Senior Director, Materials Science and Engineering

Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.

Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.

Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?

Position Summary

The Senior Director, Materials Science & Engineering is a global leader responsible for setting the strategic direction, development roadmap, and operational excellence of Gates’ materials science portfolio. This role leads multiple director- and manager-level teams across rubber, non-rubber, reinforcement/fabric, and materials engineering, ensuring the organization delivers world-class materials solutions that strengthen Gates’ competitive position.

This role defines and executes multi-year, global strategies for materials innovation, standardization, and manufacturability—partnering closely with Product and Process Development, Operations, Procurement, and regional Innovation and Engineering organizations.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Sets the global strategy for materials science and engineering, establishing multi-year roadmaps that enable future product, process, and manufacturing competitiveness.
• Anticipates industry and technology trends and translates them into actionable plans.
• Ensures programs are resourced, prioritized, and delivered on schedule.

Operational & Engineering Excellence

• Leads global engineering groups to deliver standardized, cost-competitive, high-performance materials.
• Drives best practices in formulation, testing, and manufacturing across regions.
• Ensures alignment between materials engineering, operations, and product development.

Enterprise Leadership & Organizational Management

• Leads and develops director- and manager-level teams globally.
• Oversees talent strategy, organizational design, and budget management.

Decision Making & Problem Solving

• Resolves complex technical challenges using structured methodologies.
• Makes data-driven decisions balancing feasibility, business impact, and risk.

Collaboration & Technical Integration

• Serves as a senior advisor to Product and Process Development.
• Provides technical direction to Operations and Process Engineering.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Leads multiple manager-level positions across global materials teams, including rubber, non-rubber, reinforcement/fabric, and materials engineering.

Requirements And Preferred Skills

• Degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Rubber/Plastics Engineering, or related field, with a preference for Masters or PhD degrees.
• 15 years of increasing responsibility in materials development, engineering leadership, and manufacturing operations.
• 10 years leading large, complex, global engineering organizations.
• Deep expertise in rubber and non-rubber materials science.
• Proven ability to develop multi-year strategic plans and roadmaps.
• Strong capability to lead cross-functional, cross-cultural teams.
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.
• Demonstrated success driving major technical programs and organizational transformation.
• Strong financial and business acumen.
• Domestic and international travel required.

Pay & Benefits

• Full-Time
• Salary: $225,000-$275,000
• Bonus Eligible: 25%
• Equity Eligible
• Relocation is provided
• Medical, Dental, Vision insurance and other voluntary benefit options: benefits begin on the first day of the month immediately following your date of hire
• Eligible for Flexible Time Off
• 401(k): 3% company contribution and additional 3% company match
• Tuition Reimbursement

WHY GATES?

Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands and fingers to work with objects, tools, or controls; and use office equipment including computers, telephones, and/or copiers/scanners. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in Colorado, Gates is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. This compensation range is specific to the State of Colorado and takes into account various factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.