Principal R&D Engr​/Scientist

Principal Research Development Engineer Job Description

This position will work closely with Marketing, Sales, and Technology organizations. It drives adoption of Spectra’s ballistic materials in armor manufacturers and provides hands‑on oversight, development, and optimization of customer‑facing ballistic solutions and Spectra Shield customer qualification processes.

• Leverage armor system design subject‑matter expertise to drive adoption of Spectra ballistic materials in armor manufacturers solutions.
• Optimize composite material processing guidelines for soft and hard armor applications.
• Hands‑on system design, lay‑up, and equipment operation required for part fabrication.
• Coordinate prototype development, including sample and test matrix definition, work order drafting, laboratory scheduling, prioritization, execution, testing, and communication of results.
• Define the competitive landscape and identify the technology roadmap for new product offerings and applications capabilities required for sustained differentiation.
• Collaborate with armor manufacturers, military R&D organizations, and Program Offices to establish a comprehensive understanding of current and future body armor program specifications.
• Define the fundamental composite material property linkages to end‑article performance and provide the functional product attribute characterization protocols and targets necessary to achieve ballistic and non‑ballistic system‑level requirements.
• Identify and assess emerging materials, manufacturing processes, and characterization techniques for technology roadmap considerations.
• Represent Solstice Technology organization in customer meetings, global trade shows, and technical conferences.
• Provide technical oversight and support for customer quality resolution, manufacturing initiatives, and new product development.
• Draft scientific publications, white papers, solicitation responses, invention disclosures, and intellectual property materials as needed.
• Liaison with Solstice Commercial, Development, Quality, and Manufacturing organizations as the primary Technical Point of Contact for Armor Industry.

YOU MUST HAVE

• Bachelor of Science Technology Degree in Engineering, Polymers/Composite Materials, Materials Science, or other related scientific or technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience with soft body armor, helmets, and vehicle armor materials, processing, ballistic and non‑ballistic testing.

WE VALUE

• MS degree in Engineering.
• Thorough knowledge and experience with ballistic composite materials, process manufacturing, ballistic threat standards (NIJ / Military), and testing of soft and hard armor applications.
• Experience in data management including collection, interpretation, graphical and statistical analysis to interpret experimental results and develop presentations to communicate these findings.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with MS Office Applications including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Minitab statistical analysis software.
• Ability to manage multiple programs of varying degrees of complexity.
• Work with minimal supervision or within a team structure depending on the responsibilities of the project.

In addition to a competitive salary, leading‑edge work, and developing solutions side‑by‑side with dedicated experts, employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including employer‑subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance;
Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability; 401(k) match;
Flexible Spending Accounts;
Health Savings Accounts; EAP; and Educational Assistance;
Parental Leave;
Paid Time Off for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave, and 12 Paid Holidays.

The annual base salary range for this position is $174,600 – $217,800. This salary information serves as a general guideline and is considered along with other factors.

Solstice Advanced Materials is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual…