Materials and Performance Engineer

Materials And Performance Engineer

At Franklin Sports, Inc. we believe that sports make life better. Driven by our passion to get people moving, playing and competing, we bring sports to life for athletes of all ages. Every day, we collaborate to bring innovation and quality craftsmanship across the world of sport. We are proud of our partnerships with Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, the National Hockey League, the National Women's Soccer League, the Women's National Basketball Association, the Pro Volleyball Federation, USA Pickleball, and Hasbro's Nerf brand — all of which bring energy, strength, and joy to our products.

We are family owned and family driven. To join Franklin Sports is to join the #Franklin Fam.

We are excited to hire a Materials and Performance Engineer to expand our internal lab equipment and efficiencies. This role will be a critical driver of innovation within Franklin's paddle development pipeline. This role leads ongoing research and development initiatives that elevate product performance for the best pickleball players in the world.

Working side by side with top athletes including Anna Leigh Waters, Hayden Patriquin, and Parris Todd, this individual will push the boundaries of materials, construction, and performance. This role requires a forward thinker who thrives on experimentation, emerging technologies, and staying ahead of trends in the sport.

This individual will act as the technical backbone of the product team, driving innovation behind the scenes and ensuring Franklin remains at the forefront of performance driven product development.

The Materials and Performance Engineer will act as a mentor and technical leader within the product organization and will oversee testing resources.

This role will require occasional travelling with overnight stay. The position is located at our Headquarters in Stoughton, MA and will report to the Sr. Director, Product & Brand Strategy.

In More Detail, You Will:

• Lead and drive ongoing product initiatives, ensuring continuous innovation across all paddle platforms
• Own and execute constant R&D efforts focused on advancing materials, construction, and performance technologies
• Partner directly with elite athletes to develop, test, and refine next generation products
• Identify and stay ahead of emerging trends, materials, and technologies within pickleball and adjacent industries
• Serve as the technical engine behind product development, supporting the broader team with deep expertise and insight
• Develop and iterate on new constructions, core technologies, and surface treatments to enhance performance and durability
• Work cross functionally with product, sourcing, and manufacturing teams to bring innovations to market
• Establish and refine testing protocols and performance benchmarks for elite level play
• Translate athlete feedback and lab data into actionable product improvements
• Continuously evaluate competitive products and innovations to ensure Franklin remains a category leader
• Other projects as assigned

Who You Are:

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field (MBA preferred)
• 6+ years of experience in materials development, performance testing, or technical product validation, ideally within consumer sporting goods or composite manufacturing
• Proven success managing multi phase, multi million dollar projects
• Experience working with global manufacturing partners preferred

What You Have Done/Essential To

The Role:

• High level of ownership over product innovation and R&D direction
• Key contributor to overall product strategy and long term technology roadmap
• Direct impact on performance outcomes at the highest levels of the sport
• Deep passion for pickleball with a strong understanding of the game and player needs
• Highly analytical with a strong curiosity for materials, engineering, and performance optimization
• Forward thinking mindset with the ability to anticipate trends and innovate ahead of the market
• Strong collaboration skills, especially when working with elite athletes and cross functional teams
• Detail…