Material Scientist, Glass Analytics

Description: LightPath is seeking a Materials Scientist who will lead in-depth characterization of LightPath’s chalcogenide glass materials, with a primary focus on understanding, quantifying, and controlling temperature-dependent physical, thermal, mechanical, optical, and electrical properties. This role is responsible for establishing and operating a Glass Analytics laboratory that generates reliable, repeatable, and defensible materials data to support product development, manufacturing scale-up, and customer engagement. 

The position partners closely with glass melting, optical design, process engineering, metrology, and reliability teams to ensure that material property data accurately reflects melt-to-melt variability and is suitable for modeling, design trade studies, and customer or conference presentation. 

Reports to:                                                                                                              Status:

VP, Engineering                                                                                       Full-time; Exempt

Location:                                                                                               Workplace Status:

Corporate Office, Orlando, FL                                                                                    Onsite

Responsibilities:

• Establish and operate a Glass Analytics laboratory for comprehensive characterization of chalcogenide glass materials 

• Develop validated test methods, uncertainty analyses, and standard operating procedures for glass analysis to ensure data repeatability and traceability from melt to melt. 

• Correlate measured material properties with melt chemistry, processing conditions, and downstream manufacturing behavior. 

• Maintain materials property databases suitable for use in optical design, FEA, and process modeling. 

• Support internal engineering teams with materials data for design reviews, failure analysis, and root-cause investigations. 

• Prepare technical reports, white papers, and presentations for customers, internal stakeholders, and external conferences. 

• Interface with equipment vendors, research partners, and academic collaborators as needed. 

• Other duties as assigned 

Knowledge, ability and skills:

• Demonstrated ability to develop reliable, repeatable testing methodologies 

• Excellent data analysis and documentation skills 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical presentations 

Minimum previous experience/qualification:

Required 

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related field 

• 3 years of experience in materials characterization, preferably with glass or optical materials 

• Strong background in thermal analysis, mechanical testing, and optical characterization techniques 

• Experience with laboratory instrumentation for property measurement (DSC, DMA, spectrophotometry, etc.) 

• Proven ability to work independently and manage multiple projects 

Preferred 

• Specific experience with chalcogenide glasses or infrared optical materials 

• Background in glass science or ceramic materials 

• Experience presenting at technical conferences or publishing in peer-reviewed journals 

• Knowledge of optical design principles and requirements 

• Familiarity with statistical analysis and design of experiments (DOE) 

• Experience in customer-facing technical roles