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Polymer Testing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SpaceX

Materials Engineer, Polymer Development

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$115K - $160K/yr

MATERIALS ENGINEER, POLYMER DEVELOPMENT The Polymer Development Materials Engineer will participate ... Guide and mentor project specialists and technicians in executing formulation, testing, and process ...

1X

Quality Engineering Technician Polymer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$42 - $50/hr

Your Charter Own quality on the polymer production line -- catching issues early through rigorous ... Hands-on experience with mechanical testing: pull testers, Shore hardness gauges, or similar

1x

Quality Engineering Technician Polymer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$42 - $50/hr

Your Charter Own quality on the polymer production line -- catching issues early through rigorous ... Hands-on experience with mechanical testing: pull testers, Shore hardness gauges, or similar

Apple

Product Design FEA Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$150K - $277K/yr

Experience in polymer testing and modeling. Experience with Abaqus, ANSA, and META. Self-motivated to identify areas for improvement and drive innovation. Excellent cross-functional collaboration and ...

1x

Quality Engineering Technician Polymer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$42 - $50/hr

Your Charter Own quality on the polymer production line -- catching issues early through rigorous ... Hands-on experience with mechanical testing: pull testers, Shore hardness gauges, or similar

1X

Quality Engineering Technician Polymer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$42 - $50/hr

Your Charter Own quality on the polymer production line -- catching issues early through rigorous ... Hands-on experience with mechanical testing: pull testers, Shore hardness gauges, or similar

Apple

Product Design FEA Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$150K - $277K/yr

Experience in polymer testing and modeling. Experience with Abaqus, ANSA, and META. Self-motivated to identify areas for improvement and drive innovation. Excellent cross-functional collaboration and ...

Apple Inc.

Product Design FEA Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$147.40 - $272.10/hr

Experience in polymer testing and modeling. * Experience with Abaqus, ANSYS, and META. * Self-motivated to identify areas for improvement and drive innovation. * Excellent cross-functional ...

Niktor

Clinical and Health - Chemist

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

... process testing of products. The candidate will follow SOPs and work in compliance with safety, regulatory and quality guidelines. What you will do: • Develop and optimize polymer chemistry ...

Blue Current

Senior Scientist

Hayward, CA

$104K - $143K/yr

Experience with polymer electrolytes and electrochemical cell testing and analysis, including some combinations of ion transport measurements, mechanical testing, polymer rheology, cycle life testing ...

Blue Current

Senior Scientist

Hayward, CA · On-site

$104K - $143K/yr

Experience with polymer electrolytes and electrochemical cell testing and analysis, including some combinations of ion transport measurements, mechanical testing, polymer rheology, cycle life testing ...

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All JobsPolymer Testing JobsPolymer Testing Jobs in California

Polymer Testing information

See California salary details

$49.8K

$88.2K

$153K

How much do polymer testing jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymer testing in California is $88,160.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,100.00 and $113,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is polymer testing?

A Polymer Testing job involves analyzing and evaluating the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of polymer materials. Professionals in this role conduct tests to assess durability, strength, thermal resistance, and other characteristics to ensure quality and compliance with industry standards. They use various laboratory techniques such as spectroscopy, rheology, and mechanical testing. This position is essential in industries like manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and healthcare to develop and improve polymer-based products.

What does a typical day look like for someone working in polymer testing?

A typical day in Polymer Testing involves preparing samples, conducting a range of physical and chemical tests (such as tensile strength, thermal analysis, or spectroscopy), and carefully documenting the results. You may analyze data to determine if materials meet client or regulatory standards and collaborate with R&D, quality assurance, or production teams to resolve technical challenges. There is often a mix of independent lab work and teamwork, as well as opportunities to contribute to process improvement or new product development projects. Staying organized and adhering to safety protocols are essential parts of the daily workflow.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in polymer testing, and why are they important?

Excelling in Polymer Testing requires a background in chemistry, materials science, or a related field, with hands-on experience in analytical testing and characterization of polymers. Familiarity with laboratory instruments such as FTIR, DSC, TGA, and universal testing machines, as well as knowledge of industry standards (e.g., ASTM, ISO), is highly valued. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong reporting skills are key soft skills for success in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring polymer products meet quality specifications and for supporting innovation in materials development.

Is polymer testing a good career?

Polymer testing is a specialized field within materials science that involves analyzing the properties and quality of polymers using techniques like spectroscopy and microscopy. It offers opportunities in industries such as manufacturing, aerospace, and healthcare, often requiring technical skills and certifications. The career can be stable with demand for quality control and research roles, but job prospects depend on industry growth and individual qualifications.

What are popular job titles related to Polymer Testing jobs in California?

For Polymer Testing jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Polymer Testing jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Polymer Testing jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Polymer Testing jobs?

Cities in California with the most Polymer Testing job openings:

Polymer Testing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Polymer Testing job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,160 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

Materials Engineer, Polymer Development

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$115K - $160K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

16th of 72 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
MATERIALS ENGINEER, POLYMER DEVELOPMENT
The Polymer Development Materials Engineer will participate in/lead the end-to-end development of advanced polymeric materials. In this role you will develop new material solutions such as adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, thermal protection materials, and emulsions for use across SpaceX's hardware programs. You will partner closely with customers to define design criteria and performance requirements, drive formulation and process development, coordinate testing with materials laboratories, collaborate with engineering teams on implementation, and work with production teams to successfully scale materials into manufacturing. This position requires strong technical ownership, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to deliver high-performance materials that meet demanding programmatic needs.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Partner with engineers to define material requirements, translate design criteria into technical targets, and provide clear progress updates
  • Own technical decision-making throughout the development process, selecting and refining pathways that deliver materials meeting or exceeding design requirements
  • Investigate and resolve material failures or unexpected results, turning issues into actionable learnings that accelerate project progress
  • Act as a technical expert and project owner for polymeric material development efforts
  • Guide and mentor project specialists and technicians in executing formulation, testing, and process development work
  • Collaborate closely with engineering and production teams to ensure new materials are successfully integrated into production work centers
  • Lead the iterative development cycle by designing efficient experiments, analyzing data, drawing conclusions, and defining the next set of actions
  • Drive materials development projects from initial concept through full qualification and production scale-up
  • Coordinate with materials laboratories to plan, prioritize, and interpret characterization and performance testing
  • Work with production and manufacturing teams to support process scale-up, improve manufacturability, and enable reliable high-volume production
  • Maintain thorough technical documentation of development decisions, test results, and qualification data

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science and Engineering
  • 2+ years of professional experience in polymeric material formulation, chemical synthesis, polymer chemistry or a non-metallic materials engineering role

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Master's degree or PhD in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science and Engineering or a related discipline
  • Deep understanding of organic and polymer chemistries
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with clear schedules and deliverables
  • Strong engineering judgment and self-motivation with a track record of driving projects independently
  • Experience in R&D pertaining to non-metallic materials (adhesives, paints, coatings, seals, emulsions, etc)
  • Experience designing polymeric materials, manufacturing polymeric materials, and/or translating developed materials to production.
  • Demonstrated ability to perform root cause analysis on test data, equipment issues, or process deviations
  • Experience mentoring lab technicians or specialists
  • Hands-on experience with analytical equipment such as FTIR, TGA, DSC, DMA, TMA, TPS, NMR, UV-Vis, GPC, GC, MS or similar

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00
Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US

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