Process Chemist / Engineer Organic Synthesis

Cambium is dedicated to the development of next generation, high-performance advanced materials needed across land, air, sea and space, for defense and commercial applications.

There is a need for new material solutions that either enable products to be made better, faster, or cheaper. For example, the defense industrial base is seeing a generational shift from large, complex, manned platforms to autonomous, networked systems built around massed production resulting in the emergence of new platforms like UAVs supported by lightweighting capabilities. The emergence of hypersonics is challenging both the performance of materials needed to withstand extreme temperatures and their resulting supply chains. Commercial sectors from space exploration to renewable energy likewise have unique material challenges. Simply put, each requires material solutions and resulting supply chains that enable products to be made easier, faster, and cheaper. Cambium’s mission is to advance these solutions.

Cambium’s innovation platform is vertically integrated to enable rapid development of solutions, from computational material discovery at the front-end through to rapid prototyping and eventual domestic production of advanced composites. To do this, Cambium leverages state-of-the-art advances in every field of relevance, from biological, chemical and material discovery, through to advanced fabrication of composite structures. Its early product pipeline, ranges from supporting the development of hypersonic flight vehicles to enhanced survivability unmanned aerial vehicles to laser-protective eyewear and optics. For example, its activities in thermal protection are designed to better protect various hardware against extreme conditions such as heat, fire and rapid-heating impacts, and from severe aerodynamic heating and pressure loads experienced during flight.

With its newly completed $19.7M Series A round and supported by nearly $30M in various multi-year DoD contracts, Cambium is rapidly building out its team, pilot-scale facilities, and associated commercial capabilities. Its team is growing to around 35 this year and to 50 by the end of 2025. In April, the company will move into a new 25,000 square feet HQ in El Segundo, CA where R&D is predominantly located and where various pilot manufacturing lines will be constructed. Additionally, it has over 10,000 square feet at the Mojave Air and Space Port, CA for rapid prototyping and live demonstrations.

Cambium is positioned for significant growth and impact in various sectors that employ high-performance advanced materials for a wide range of defense and commercial markets. As the company continues to expand its research and development efforts, Cambium is poised to shape the future of materials engineering, driving progress towards more resilient, efficient, and environmentally conscious hardware solutions.

Visit Cambium to learn more about the company and its team.

Cambium is seeking a Process Chemist / Engineer – Organic Synthesis to join our growing team in El Segundo, CA. The successful candidate will be curious with a desire to turn concepts into products, have a strong desire to help grow a company, and will help us build a work culture of open-mindedness that embraces creativity and contrarian thinking. At Cambium we’re willing to do things differently.

THE ROLE

Cambium is seeking a Process Chemist / Engineer – Organic Synthesis to join our engineering team. You will oversee synthesis processes at a multi-kg scale, playing a pivotal role in the design, optimization, and scaling up of chemical reactions. You’ll work closely with senior engineers and contribute to our growing team in many ways. Your responsibilities will include hands-on experimentation, where you will actively contribute to the development and improvement of synthesis and purification processes. This entails quantifying product variability using analytical tools and implementing innovative solutions to enhance product quality and yield. Your role will also involve troubleshooting any operational challenges and carefully considering safety measures. Your passion for innovation, attention to detail, and commitment to operational excellence will be essential in shaping and advancing the synthesis processes. Your colleagues will turn the resin you produce into test articles, prototypes, and demonstration pieces. As Cambium experiences rapid growth, the responsibilities of this role are expected to evolve.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and optimize synthesis and purification of thermosetting resin monomers at a multi-kg scale, ensuring reproducibility and adherence to quality standards. Adjust these processes appropriately as the target products evolve.
• Perform basic chemical analysis to assess and improve product quality and reproducibility.
• Work closely with polymer and composite engineers to understand resin requirements.
• Write appropriate documentation including process and product specifications and work instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely key concepts, development status, performance outcomes, and lessons learned to your coworkers, investors, and collaborators.
• Prioritize safety and OSHA, EPA, and local health and safety requirements.
• Collaborate across multiple teams including world-class experts in biomaterials, polymer physics, composites, advanced manufacturing methods, aerospace design, and defense products.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve proprietary tools and systems.
• Create and contribute to the product demonstration and engineering teams in a manner consistent with Cambium’s mission and values and the growth of Cambium’s business.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• B.S. or M.S. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
• 2+ years of relevant industry experience
• Strong understanding of, and hands-on experience with, organic synthesis
• Familiar with basic analytical techniques: NMR, FTIR, etc.
• You must have a strong desire to learn and be willing to work in a hands-on engineering role
• Due to the nature of the work, you must have US citizenship
• Ability to complete tasks on time with little supervision
• Strong communication skills and collaborative spirit

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Familiar with thermosetting resins
• Experience in the aerospace industry
• Experience developing and documenting repeatable organic synthesis processes

BENEFITS

Cambium offers a highly competitive compensation and benefits plan. This includes excellent medical/dental/vision benefits, and a matching 401(k) plan.

Salary: 95,000 – 135,000