Principal Investigator, Polymer Chemistry

HRL Laboratories pioneers the next frontiers of physical and information science. Delivering transformative technologies in automotive, aerospace and defense, HRL advances the critical missions of its customers to help them remove limitations and create competitive advantage. HRL then transitions the work back to customers - ready for real-world application. For more than 70 years, HRL’s rich portfolio of scientific discoveries and engineering innovations continues to build on each other — often in unexpected, profound and far-reaching ways. As a private company owned jointly by Boeing and GM, HRL prioritizes purpose over profit, significantly advancing the state of the art. 

General Description:

HRL Laboratories advances critical structural and functional materials and semiconductor devices that enable precision navigation, quantum technologies and extreme-environment performance. With expertise from design through deployment, we deliver scalable, high-performance solutions that transform our customers’ missions. Our work leverages digital manufacturing and scalable microfabrication techniques to meet tomorrow’s toughest challenges.

Essential Duties:

• Develop novel, multifunctional polymers and nanostructured materials that address long-standing challenges in automotive, aerospace, and defense applications;


• Conceive, propose, and secure new research initiatives focused on cost-effective, scalable, proof-of-concept polymer systems and nanostructured materials;


• Design, build, test, simulate, and deliver multifunctional materials and/or subsystem components to demonstrate performance in advanced applications.


• This role emphasizes technical leadership, scientific originality, and program ownership to shape a portfolio of high-impact efforts that advance next-generation materials.


• Responsible for guiding funded programs, influencing technical strategy, and mentoring junior staff. 

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated success in conceiving, writing, and securing competitive research proposals or funded programs


• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field, with a focus on the design, synthesis, and application of polymer-based materials


• Strong foundation in fundamental scientific research, with a proven ability to translate concepts into applied or industry-relevant outcomes


• Experience designing and synthesizing new polymer systems for mechanical, structural, and/or coatings applications, incl3uding transitioning technologies from benchtop research to manufacturing scale


• Demonstrated ability to lead technical efforts, define research direction, and mentor or direct junior technical staff


• Experience in experimental design, model validation, and hypothesis-driven research


• Record of high-quality scientific publications and impactful technical presentations


• Hands-on experience in synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry, with a strong understanding of reactive group chemistry 


• Deep understanding of polymer chemistry and physics


• Working knowledge of polymer design, synthesis, and testing methodologies


• Ability to connect theoretical principles with chemical structure-property relationships to predict material behavior 


• Operate at the intersection of fundamental science and applied engineering, with a clear focus on transitioning novel materials into practical use.


• Ability to originate innovative concepts and carry them through to validated, application-relevant outcomes.


• Work both independently and within interdisciplinary teams and communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences through presentations, proposals, and publications


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential

Preferred Qualifications:

• Industrial or application-focused doctoral research, with 5 years of relevant professional experience


• Experience leading or contributing to multi-disciplinary, externally funded research programs


• Track record of transitioning technologies from research to deployment, pilot-scale, or manufacturing environments


• Familiarity with processing, characterization, and simulation techniques across multiple length scales


• Demonstrated interest in developing innovative solutions to emerging challenges in automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors 

Physical Requirements:

Ability to work safely in a chemical laboratory environment

Special Requirements:

• U.S. citizenship required with the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.


• Willingness to travel as needed.

Compensation and Benefits:

Pay Range: $154,500 - $197,900

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location (California). The range displayed on each job posting reflects the target range for new hire salaries for the position. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.

Benefits: HRL offers a generous and very competitive total compensation and benefits package. Our Regular/Full Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401K match, gym facilities, PTO, Sick time, upward mobility, and an exciting and challenging work environment.

For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: https://www.hrl.com/careers/benefits

Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that some people are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single desired qualification. At HRL, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing. 

If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

For our privacy policy please visit: www.hrl.com/privacy

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.