R&D Senior Engineer (Scientist)

Are you looking to power the next leap in the exciting world of advanced electronics? Do you want to help solve problems that drive success in the rapidly evolving technology and connectivity landscape? Then bring your problem-solving, passion, and creativity to help us power the next leap in electronics.

At Qnity, we’re more than a global leader in materials and solutions for advanced electronics and high-tech industries – we’re a tight-knit team that is motivated by new possibilities, and always up for a challenge. All our dedicated teams contribute to making cutting-edge technology possible. We value forward-thinking challengers, boundary-pushers, and diverse perspectives across all our departments, because we know we play a critical role in the world enabling faster progress for all. Learn how you can start or jumpstart your career with us.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide global R&D scientific support for strategic customers by leading technical discussions on research requirements, experimental design concepts, feasibility assessments, and expectations for RF performance materials and technologies developed at the Carlsbad site and other Qnity locations.
• Translate customer statements of work into scientifically grounded requirements, experimental plans, and deliverables, including timelines, resource allocation, and success criteria for prototype and production-scale projects.
• Apply advanced scientific and engineering principles to design, model, and optimize absorber materials, systems, and assemblies, leveraging CAD tools (SolidWorks) and simulation platforms (VBrop, RCS testing, or equivalent) to predict performance and guide experimental iterations.
• Lead the development, execution, and refinement of experimental and pilot‑scale manufacturing processes, ensuring reproducibility, and scalability from early‑stage prototypes through production transfer.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Operations, Manufacturing, and Quality Engineering to validate new product introduction (NPI) activities through structured experimentation, data analysis, and documentation.
• Conduct root cause investigations using scientific methodologies, implement corrective actions, and drive continuous improvement across R&D workflows, materials development, and process optimization.
• Develop and maintain scientific documentation, including experimental protocols, process characterization reports, design guidelines, and standardized work instructions to ensure consistency, traceability, and manufacturability.
• Support supplier qualification and materials investigations, including material characterization, performance testing, and evaluation of alternative materials or new manufacturing techniques.
• Participate in customer site visits, technical design reviews, and troubleshooting sessions, representing the company’s engineering expertise with clarity, professionalism, and technical depth.
• Champion Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles to ensure absorber designs are scientifically validated, manufacturable, reliable, and cost‑effective.
• Support metrology development and test setup design in partnership with the Quality team to ensure accurate, statistically meaningful verification of prototypes and production components.
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert (SME) in absorber and thermal materials, electromagnetic performance, and manufacturing science, providing mentorship and technical guidance across internal teams.
• Lead or contribute to project management activities related to statements of work (SOWs), including scientific risk assessments, experimental planning, and cross‑functional coordination.
• Direct report management
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Materials, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering (Master’s preferred)
• 8 years of engineering experience in an R&D or manufacturing environment.
• Experience with absorber materials, EMI shielding, thermal materials, or advanced composites within an AS9100 or ISO 9001 environment is preferred.
• Proven record of customer-facing technical engagement, proposal development, and SOW execution.
• Deep knowledge of manufacturing processes for elastomers, foams, adhesives, or composites, including process optimization and root cause analysis.
• Familiarity with RF/microwave test methods and absorber characterization is desired.
• Experience implementing Lean/Six Sigma methodologies (Green or Black Belt desirable).
• Strong research documentation practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interface with customers, management, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple complex projects with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to travel domestically up to 20% to support customers and on-site projects.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
  
  

Travel: <20% Domestic.

Clearance and Citizenship: As required by a federal contract or subcontract, only U.S. citizens will be hired for this position.

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Qnity is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to search or apply for a position, please visit our Accessibility Page for Contact Information.

Qnity offers a comprehensive pay and benefits package. To learn more visit the Compensation and Benefits page.

We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance our recruitment process.

The Pay range for this role is $78,960.00 - $124,080.00 Annual

How Base Pay is Determined: Qnity has job leveling frameworks that help organize roles based on progressive levels of responsibility, proficiency and qualifications. Each role has an associated pay range (or an established pay rate for some roles) based on the competitive market in each country where we operate. Each individual’s pay is based on a variety of factors, including their role and the associated pay range for that role, their geographic location (i.e., country, state, metropolitan area), as well as their skills, experience, education and certifications, and performance.