Job Description

Job Title: Material Scientist – Polyolefin Composites

Department: Material Science & Engineering

Location: Washington, IA

Reports to: Director of Material Science & Engineering

Job Type: Full-time

Job Summary

The Material scientist is responsible for leading the design, development, testing, and optimization of polymer composite formulations for roofing and paving products within Brava’s business. The successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams in R&D, manufacturing, and quality to ensure robust, high-performing, and cost-effective products. This position reports directly to the director of Material Science and Engineering and supports innovation, new product development, raw material qualification, manufacturing troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives to drive product performance, cost efficiency, and business continuity.

At Brava, sustainability is a core part of our innovation strategy, we are committed to increasing the use of recycled content in our products without compromising performance, and we seek talented individuals who share our vision of building a more sustainable future through materials science.

Key Responsibilities

Formulation & Product Development

• Develop and refine polymer composite formulations using Poly ethylene, poly propylene and recycled content to meet performance, cost, and sustainability goals.
• Evaluate new and alternative raw materials, focusing on consistency, processability, and mechanical performance.
• Design and execute experiments using DOE to study the impact of formulation changes and raw material variability.
• Translate product requirements and customer needs into technical specifications and material formulations.
• Support manufacturing trials for new or updated formulations from lab scale to full production.
• Experience with compounding, extrusion, compression or injection molding, and quality control testing (e.g., MFI, DSC, FTIR, mechanical testing).

Material Characterization & Product Stewardship

• Conduct analytical and mechanical testing using techniques such as DSC, TGA, FTIR, rheometry, and tensile/impact testing.
• Establish structure property relationships and use data to guide formulation optimization.
• Troubleshoot performance issues and perform root cause analyses.
• Contribute to development and maintenance of material specifications and COA criteria.
• Support validation, documentation, and regulatory compliance for all raw materials and finished formulations.

Cross-functional Support & Documentation

• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Procurement to align material choices with process capabilities and business needs.
• Interface with external vendors and support raw material supplier evaluations and audits.
• Document all testing, material evaluations, and formulation revisions clearly and accurately.
• Support customer inquiries, technical investigations, and product claims when needed.

Qualifications

• B.S. with 8+ years, M.S. with 5+ years, or Ph.D. with 3+ years of experience in polymer formulation and processing, preferably with polyolefins and recycled materials.
• Degree in Polymer Science, Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering.
• Strong understanding of polymer structure–property relationships and formulation behavior under compression molding.
• Hands-on experience with analytical tools and mechanical testing methods.
• Experience
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams on fast-paced development projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with roofing, construction, or outdoor-durable products.
• Familiarity with additives such as stabilizers, slip agents, and colorants.
• Knowledge of sustainability initiatives and circular economy practices.
• Exposure to quality tools such as A3, FMEA, 8D, and SPC.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, stoop, lift up to 50 lbs, and operate in lab and plant settings.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% of the time for trials, audits, or vendor visits.

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