R&D Project Engineer

R&D Project Engineer Location: Huntington Beach Compensation: $80,000-$95,000k (depending on experience) About the Role The R&D Project Engineer is a hybrid role that combines program leadership with hands-on laboratory work. Approximately half of the role (~50%) is dedicated to planning and driving cross-functional materials programs from concept through commercialization, and the other half (~50%) to bench-level R&D work that directly supports those same programs, including formulation, sample preparation, testing, and data analysis. The role partners closely with R&D, Regulatory, Clinical, Quality, Product Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams to align program objectives with business goals. Success in this role requires strong program and risk management skills, a solid technical foundation in materials, and the ability to move comfortably between the project plan and the lab bench. Key Responsibilities Project Management (50%) Plan and drive execution of multiple concurrent materials programs, managing the product/resin life cycle from concept and development through design transfer and commercial launch. Build and maintain project schedules, deliverables, and dashboards; monitor timelines, risks, and budget, and deliver weekly status reporting to leadership. Coordinate cross-functional work across R&D, Regulatory, Clinical, Quality, Product Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain; define roles and responsibilities and facilitate project meetings using Agile frameworks where appropriate. Conduct project risk assessments and lead mitigation planning and implementation. Develop clear, concise program communications tailored for leadership, project teams, and external partners, including suppliers and overseas manufacturers. Support continuous improvement of project management processes and coach team members in adopting them. Hands-On R&D Laboratory Work (~50%) Execute laboratory work in support of the programs the role manages, including resin formulation and mixing, sample preparation, and 3D printing and post-processing of test specimens. Perform material characterization and performance testing (e.g., mechanical properties, viscosity, cure depth, degree of conversion, color and translucency) per internal methods and applicable standards such as ISO 4049, ISO 10477, and ISO 20795. Design and run experiments (including DOE), analyze results, and prepare technical summaries and reports that feed directly into project decisions. Support design verification, stability/shelf-life, and scale-up studies, and assist with technology transfer to manufacturing. Evaluate incoming raw materials and investigate material or lot discrepancies, working with suppliers to identify root cause and corrective actions. Maintain accurate laboratory records (notebooks, protocols, reports) in accordance with Good Documentation Practices and the ISO 13485 quality management system. Follow laboratory safety and chemical hygiene practices, and help maintain lab equipment, consumables, and material inventory. Data Analysis, Budget, and Supply Chain Support Use statistical tools to conduct root cause analysis on project delays or material discrepancies, including supplier, logistics, or production issues. Forecast material needs and supply chain risks for active programs; work with overseas manufacturers to track key indicators such as on-time delivery and inventory levels. Develop and track project budgets, and perform ROI and variance analysis to improve future planning accuracy. Translate technical and project data into clear business cases for senior leadership, including new suppliers, technology investments, and process improvements. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical, Polymer, or Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical field, with 4+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 2+ years. Hands-on laboratory experience in polymer, resin, or materials formulati…

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