Branch Technology brings unprecedented design freedom and resource stewardship to a variety of industries through its robust tech stack featuring our proprietary Cellular Fabrication (C-Fab®) method of 3D printing. Our growing team includes seasoned leaders from technology, manufacturing, engineering, software development, architecture, material science, and product development.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Materials Engineer will be an investigative and curious thinker, passionate about material science, renewable resources, sustainability, and solving process challenges. Demonstrating excellence in technical communication, this person is capable of presenting findings to leadership and other internal and external stakeholders for the purpose of fostering innovation adoption and driving change. They’ll be an excellent representative of and ambassador for Branch in external engagement with partners, vendors, and clients, managing those relationships professionally. They are able to deploy project management and organizational skills in the service of funded research programs with clear deliverables, tasks, timelines, and expectations. This lifelong learner is also comfortable working as part of a small team, often operating in uncertainty. Most importantly, the ideal team player embodies our six core values of humble genius, other centered, relentless execution, designed beauty, intense collaboration, and wise stewardship.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead material-science research efforts, including both material innovations and process enhancements.
Perform experimental research for relevant contracts (e.g. US Army, NASA, and others).
Research polymer grades, formulations, additives, and base resins that could be viable in our proprietary Cellular Fabrication (C-Fab®) process for 3D printing of the BranchMatrix® lattice, as well as potential for fused-deposition-modeling application.
Work with foam/insulation vendors, suppliers, and engineers to formulate or test special grades of infill materials to create the CompositeCore®, including the integration and operation of any necessary equipment needed to deploy such materials within the matrix.
Understand the mechanics of and provide recommendations for applying finishing lamina materials to the BCC, including partnering with finishing vendors to achieve acceptable surface finishes.
Work with polymer vendors, suppliers, and engineers to formulate special bio-derived, bio-based, or bio-produced polymer grades for Branch’s unique 3D printing process.
Research bio-derived foam or infill materials that can be deposited within the matrix to create the BCC and for creating new products.
Champion environmentally friendly and sustainable business practices and material choices both internally to Branch and externally to vendors, clients, investors, and the general public.
Collaborate with academic and government research partners.
Maintain protection and security of Branch IP through appropriate IP safeguarding, NDAs, mitigation of disclosures, cybersecurity and file organization, etc.
Assist in the patent application processes as applicable as well as in technical proposal writing for SBIR contracts and other government research funding mechanisms.
Carry out 3D printing experiments with Branch’s proprietary 3D printing process.
Conduct in-house testing with robust, organized, and logical experiment designs, such as ASTM C78 and ASTM C140 flexural and compressive testing protocol.
Collaborate with external/3rd-party testing organizations for code compliance consideration, including ASTM, NFPA, IBC, and UFC requirements.
Design and execute experiments and collect and analyze data efficiently.
Generate and collaborate on concise, compelling, and accurate reports on various findings for clients and research project stakeholders.

REQUIREMENTS:

Undergraduate degree in material science, engineering, environmental science, polymer science, or other relevant STEM discipline
At least 4 years of professional experience in a laboratory, research, or scientific setting
Willing to relocate to Chattanooga, TN

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES:

An advanced degree in material science, engineering, environmental science, polymer science, or other relevant STEM discipline
Prior experience in the construction industry
Prior experience with robotics and/or 3D printing
Proficiency with freeform and parametric modeling platforms (e.g. Rhino, Grasshopper, Solidworks, Catia, 3DS Max, Maya, Fusion 360)
Experience with fabrication
Understanding of business implications from sourcing, specifying, qualifying, and costing of materials used in manufacturing

Apply now

See more open positions at Branch Technology

Privacy policy Cookie policy