Principal Textile specialist/Material scientist
MS-level R&D / Research roles on Crosslinked list a median of $128k (67 that show pay). This posting does not list pay.
Lead R&D of graphene-enhanced technical textiles and composites for defense CBRN protective fabrics.
Worth knowing
Why it is interesting. Own a 2-year awarded defense contract to beat current CBRN standards with graphene-enhanced textiles.
Might not be for you. High-pressure startup environment with tight deadlines and shifting parameters; must be US citizen or green card holder.
Core polymer rolegraphene-enhanced technical textiles; polymer processing, fiber formation, coatings, nanomaterial integration
- Seniority
- Staff/Principal
- Work
- On-site
- Type
- Full-time
- Degree
- MS
- Industry
- Defense
- Role
- R&D / Research
- Visa
- No sponsorship
Role details
Principal Textile Specialist / Material Scientist (Full-Time)
Company Description
Allkemie is an advanced materials startup company specializing in the customization, synthesis, and integration of graphene oxide and nanomaterials into high-performance structures, including technical textiles, polymers, cements, and composites. By tailoring scalable production processes, Allkemie helps partners dramatically improve material resistance, reduce weight, and enhance thermal conductivity and functional properties. The team collaborates closely with commercial and defense partners to design cutting-edge material solutions that establish new industry benchmarks.
Role Description
Allkemie is seeking an entrepreneurial, high-accountability Principal Textile Specialist / Material Scientist to lead the development, optimization, and scaling of advanced textile and composite structures. This is a critical
full-time, on-site role in the Greater Boston area
.
You will spearhead an awarded defense contract, driving the research, prototyping, and delivery of next-generation protective fabrics within a 2 year timeline. The primary objective is to engineer a full sample framework that significantly outperforms current CBRN technology standards by delivering superior chemical (CBRN) resistance, enhanced biological resistance, optimized thermal management, and advanced kinetic capabilities.
Working in a fast-paced, high-pressure startup environment, you will own the experimental design, coordinate hands-on laboratory testing, and translate complex defense performance requirements into scalable manufacturing workflows.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the R&D and rapid prototyping of graphene-enhanced technical textiles and composite structures tailored for advanced defense and CBRN applications.
- Drive execution against the milestones, ensuring deliverables meet rigorous chemical, biological, thermal, and kinetic performance thresholds compared to current fabrics.
- Design and execute experimental protocols, run laboratory characterization, and interpret data to guide material formulations, fiber coatings, and processing decisions.
- Collaborate closely with executive leadership, lead chemist, and cross-functional partners to scale promising material solutions from benchtop synthesis to production-ready prototypes.
- Document research findings, prepare technical progress reports, and present data-driven updates to defense and commercial stakeholders.
- Manage multiple concurrent project streams with autonomy, accountability, and the ability to thrive under tight deadlines and shifting technical parameters.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Work Authorization:
Must be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) due to defense contract compliance requirements.
- Experience:
Extensive industry or advanced research experience in technical textiles, performance fabrics, advanced composites, or CBRN/protective equipment development.
- Technical Expertise:
Strong foundation in Materials Science, Textile Engineering, or Chemical Engineering, with hands-on experience in polymer processing, fiber formation, coatings, and nanomaterial integration (specifically graphene-related systems).
- Laboratory Proficiency:
Demonstrated hands-on capability in material characterization, sample preparation, and analytical instrumentation for mechanical, thermal, and functional testing.
- Mindset & Accountability:
Highly entrepreneurial, self-motivated, and capable of performing under pressure with complete project ownership and accountability.
- Education:
Advanced degree (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Materials Science, Textile Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field is strongly preferred.
- Location:
Must be able to work
on-site full-time in the Greater Boston area
.
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