Principal Scientist Golf Ball R&D | Titleist

Where Performance Meets Purpose

Join a team that values excellence and innovation, at a company known for its iconic golf brands. At Acushnet Company, your background and experience contribute to creating the best products for dedicated golfers worldwide. Here, your performance has purpose.

The Principal Scientist, Golf Ball R&D, serves as a technical leader and cross‑disciplinary problem solver, driving breakthrough innovation at the intersection of physics, materials science, mathematics, and computational modeling. This role leads advanced research programs to design, model, and validate golf ball technologies with highly targeted performance outcomes, translating scientific insight into differentiated, IP‑backed products. Through rigorous experimental design, advanced data analysis, and sophisticated simulation including aerodynamics, impact mechanics, and structural behavior the Principal Scientist connects theory with real‑world performance.

Partnering closely with materials, engineering, manufacturing, and intellectual property teams, this role transforms complex technical concepts into actionable solutions, advancing Titleist's leadership in golf ball performance and reinforcing a strong, defensible innovation pipeline.

• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related field required;
  Ph.D. strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in a fast‑paced R&D environment with iterative design cycles; proven ability to solve complex, multidisciplinary problems.
• Strong expertise in physics, mechanical systems, advanced mathematics, data analysis, and statistical methods.
• Demonstrated proficiency in FEA, computational modeling, or theoretical performance prediction; experience with fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, and/or CFD tools.
• Experience with machine learning, AI, or advanced data science workflows.
• Deep expertise in MATLAB for simulation and analysis; proficiency in Python, R, C++, C#, or similar languages.
• Hands‑on experience with high‑speed camera systems, image‑based measurement, and data interpretation.
• Background or strong familiarity with golf and golf ball performance fundamentals.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex technical insights to diverse audiences.
• Understanding of intellectual property landscapes and innovation processes, with experience contributing to defensible IP.

At Acushnet Company, we are committed to helping our associates thrive both personally and professionally. From the start, you and your family, including domestic partners, will benefit from a comprehensive suite of health and well‑being programs. Enjoy the advantages of paid time off, an onsite fitness center, acupuncture, physical therapy, wellness coaches, and more. Our financial benefits are designed to secure your future, offering a 401(k) with company match, health savings accounts, and flexible spending accounts.

Additionally, you'll enjoy perks like pet insurance, legal planning, education assistance, and exclusive access to our Associate Store. At Acushnet Company, your performance has purpose, and we're here to support you every step of the way.

Pay Range: $-$

Join us at Acushnet Company and be part of a team that values excellence and innovation.

• Describe a complex R&D problem you've worked on that required integrating physics‑based modeling (e.g., FEA, CFD, or impact mechanics) with experimental data. How did you design the experiments, validate the models, and use the results to drive a final design or performance decision?
• How have you used advanced data analysis techniques such as machine learning or statistical modeling to uncover performance insights or guide product innovation? Can you share an example where this work contributed to a patentable concept or strengthened an organization‑s IP strategy?

• Acushnet Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. EEO Employer/Veteran/Disabled.
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