Polymer Lab Technician
Must be a U.S. Persons due to the nature of our work.
Defense, aerospace, and other high-performance applications demand new material solutions stronger, lighter, more resilient, tested, and delivered faster than traditionally available. Cambium is disrupting advanced materials development, from AI-driven molecular design to agile domestic manufacturing. Whether enabling hypersonic flight or protecting critical systems, our solutions push the limits of what’s possible. Cambium solves mission-critical problems in defense and industry. Our team of world-class scientists and engineers was purpose built to take on those challenges. Come join us and revolutionize advanced materials for defense, aerospace, and beyond.
We are seeking a Polymer Lab Technician to join our expanding team in El Segundo, CA. The ideal candidate is a hands-on laboratory professional who will collaborate with chemists, scientists, and engineers to advance polymer research, formulation, testing, and scale-up projects. This position demands meticulous attention to detail, adherence to written procedures, and prior experience working with polymer or chemical materials in a laboratory setting.
Key Responsibilities
Follow written and verbal instructions to accurately perform a wide range of polymer and chemical laboratory tasks.
Prepare, weigh, mix, and process polymer formulations, resins, elastomers, or related chemical materials.
Assist with polymer compounding, blending, curing, and material processing activities.
Prepare samples for testing, characterization, and scale-up trials.
Operate laboratory equipment and instruments used for polymer and materials characterization
Accurately document experimental procedures, observations, and results in laboratory notebooks or electronic systems.
Work closely with senior chemists and engineers to support R&D experiments, troubleshooting, and process optimization.
Maintain laboratory organization, chemical inventory, and equipment readiness.
Follow all laboratory safety protocols and contribute to a strong culture of safety.
Participate in R&D problem-solving activities with an open and collaborative mindset.
Required Qualifications
High school diploma or certificate with more than 5 years of experience.
Demonstrated hands-on experience in a laboratory environment, including academic, industrial, R&D, or manufacturing settings.
Ability to follow written procedures and accurately document work.
Detail-oriented, organized, and reliable working style.
Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Due to the nature of the work, U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency is required.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with polymer characterization techniques, including DSC, TGA, FTIR, rheology, and mechanical testing.
Prior experience handling various polymers is desirable.
Ability to prepare SOPs and work within basic quality systems, such as GMP or ISO-style documentation.
Comfort working with hazardous chemicals and understanding of chemical hygiene best practices.
Prior experience supporting scale-up trials or working in manufacturing and production environments.
Physical Requirements
Good manual dexterity.
Ability to work at standing and/or sitting workstations.
Ability to safely handle chemicals and laboratory equipment while wearing required PPE.
Ability to lift and move laboratory materials as needed.