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Polymers Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

SpaceX

Materials R&D Technician

Hawthorne, CA

$35 - $44/hr

Perform mechanical testing (tensile, fatigue, compression, etc.) with metals, polymers, or composites OR characterization work scope (thermal testing, imaging, etc.) * Support maintenance and ...

Sanisure

CONTRACT ROLE: Packaging Engineer

Camarillo, CA · On-site

$83 - $96/hr

Evaluate and select packaging materials (polymers, adhesives, inks, varnishes, paper, corrugate, films, foams, sustainable alternatives) based on cost, performance, regulatory suitability, and ...

Hp

Ink Manufacturing Chemist

San Diego, CA · On-site

$93K - $143K/yr

Apply expertise in formulation science, pigment and dye chemistry, polymers, colloidal systems, and surface chemistry to solve complex technical challenges. * Design and execute experiments, analyze ...

Posted today

Exponent Inc.

Principal Scientist

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$225 - $275/hr

Our Opportunity We are seeking an experienced consultant for a Principal Scientist position in our Polymers & Chemistry Practice. This position is open across all U.S. office locations. In this role ...

5AM Ventures

Analytical Scientist

Emeryville, CA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

Experience across multiple molecular modalities (polymers, peptides, proteins, and, small molecules) * Background in analytical development or QC for regulated products * Experience supporting IND ...

5AM Ventures

Analytical Scientist

Emeryville, CA

$140K - $170K/yr

Experience across multiple molecular modalities (polymers, peptides, proteins, and, small molecules) * Background in analytical development or QC for regulated products * Experience supporting IND ...

Fenner

General Laborer - Day Shift

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$22.90/hr

... Polymers Values and Behaviors at all times. Career Progression Opportunities: (example: junior or senior levels) • Mixer Helper • Coater Helper • Slitter Operator Education and/or Relative ...

Fenner

General Laborer - Day Shift

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$15.19 - $22.79/hr

... Polymers Values and Behaviors at all times. Career Progression Opportunities: (example: junior or senior levels) • Mixer Helper • Coater Helper • Slitter Operator Education and/or Relative ...

Fenner

General Laborer - Night Shift

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$22.90/hr

... Polymers Values and Behaviors at all times. Career Progression Opportunities: (example: junior or senior levels) • Mixer Helper • Coater Helper • Slitter Operator Education and/or Relative ...

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All JobsPolymers JobsPolymers Jobs in California

Polymers information

See California salary details

$31.1K

$60.9K

$90.8K

How much do polymers jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for polymers in California is $60,939.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $49,300.00 and $69,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a polymer and what does a polymer scientist do?

Polymers are large molecules made up of repeating structural units, commonly known as monomers, and are essential in the production of plastics, fibers, rubbers, and many other materials. Professionals working with polymers—such as polymer scientists, engineers, or technologists—research, design, develop, and test new polymer materials for various applications. They may also improve existing products or processes, ensuring materials meet specific mechanical, chemical, or environmental requirements. Their work is vital in industries like packaging, automotive, healthcare, and electronics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a polymer scientist?

To thrive as a Polymer Scientist, you need a solid background in chemistry, materials science, and polymer engineering, usually supported by at least a bachelor's degree in a related field. Experience with analytical techniques such as spectroscopy, chromatography, and rheology, as well as familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork and communication skills distinguish top performers. These competencies are crucial for developing innovative polymer materials, ensuring precise research outcomes, and collaborating successfully within multidisciplinary teams.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in polymer research and development?

Professionals in polymer research and development often encounter challenges such as optimizing material properties for specific applications, scaling up production from laboratory to industrial levels, and ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams—such as chemists, engineers, and product designers—is common to address these challenges. Staying updated with advances in polymer technology and sustainability trends is also crucial for success in this dynamic field.

What is the difference between Polymers vs Chemical Technicians?

AspectPolymersChemical Technicians
Required CredentialsDegree in Polymer Science, Chemistry, or Chemical EngineeringAssociate's degree or diploma in Chemistry or Chemical Technology
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, manufacturing plants, R&D facilitiesLaboratories, manufacturing settings, quality control labs
Industry UsageSpecialized in polymer materials, plastics, and compositesBroader chemical industry, including pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and testing

Polymers professionals focus on the development, testing, and manufacturing of polymer-based materials, often requiring specialized knowledge in polymer chemistry. Chemical Technicians support various chemical processes across multiple industries, including polymers, but with a broader scope. While both roles work in laboratory and manufacturing environments, Polymers specialists have more targeted expertise in polymer science, whereas Chemical Technicians handle a wider range of chemical tasks.

Is polymer technology a good career?

Polymer technology is a viable career path involving the development and manufacturing of polymer materials used in industries such as packaging, automotive, and healthcare. It requires knowledge of chemistry, materials science, and often involves working with specialized equipment and safety protocols. Job prospects depend on industry demand and individual skills, with opportunities for advancement and specialization.

What are popular job titles related to Polymers jobs in California?

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

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

The top searched job categories for Polymers jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Polymers jobs?

Cities in California with the most Polymers job openings:

Polymers jobs near you
Infographic showing various Polymers job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,939 per year, or $29.3 per hour.

Materials Scientist - Surface Chemistry & Adhesion

RxSight

Aliso Viejo, CA • On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
RxSight® is an ophthalmic medical technology corporation headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California that has commercialized the world's first and only adjustable intraocular lens (IOL) that is customized after cataract surgery. The company's mission is to revolutionize the premium cataract surgery experience by allowing surgeons to partner with their patients to achieve optimized results for every unique eye.
OVERVIEW:
The Materials Scientist - Surface Chemistry and Adhesion leads the development of surface and interfacial technologies that enable durable adhesion between dissimilar crosslinked soft-material substrates, including acrylic and silicone systems. The scientist will develop a mechanistic understanding of each interface, propose and screen multiple technical solutions, and translate promising concepts into robust, testable, and manufacturable processes.
This hands-on role spans the full development cycle: defining requirements and failure modes; designing and executing experiments; characterizing treated surfaces and bonded interfaces; verifying performance under relevant environmental, aging, and use conditions; supporting design verification and process validation; and demonstrating scalability and transfer readiness.
The scientist may also develop functional coatings on low-surface-energy polymers such as polypropylene, including durable coatings intended to improve lubricity and reduce friction.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Lead surface-chemistry and adhesion development for dissimilar crosslinked soft-material interfaces, including acrylic-to-silicone systems, from problem definition and concept generation through implementation.
  • Define interface requirements, critical material attributes, performance targets, test methods, acceptance criteria, and likely failure modes in collaboration with product, engineering, quality, and manufacturing partners.
  • Generate and evaluate solution pathways such as plasma, corona or chemical activation; primers and coupling agents; grafted or deposited interlayers; adhesive chemistries; network-compatible functional groups; controlled surface topography; and process-sequence or cure modifications.
  • Design and execute statistically sound screening studies and design-of-experiments to identify critical factors, process windows, interactions, and robust operating conditions.
  • Characterize surface chemistry, energy, wettability, topography, morphology, coating thickness, and interfacial structure using appropriate methods such as contact-angle analysis, spectroscopy, microscopy, profilometry, ellipsometry, AFM, and SEM/EDS.
  • Develop and qualify mechanical and functional test methods for bonded interfaces, including peel, tensile, lap-shear, fracture, fatigue, and environmentally conditioned testing, with clear differentiation of adhesive and cohesive failure modes.
  • Verify bond performance, durability, and stability under representative manufacturing, sterilization, hydration, temperature, humidity, chemical exposure, aging, and use conditions; investigate failures and establish root cause.
  • Translate successful concepts into controlled processes by defining material specifications, equipment requirements, process parameters, in-process controls, inspection methods, and risk controls; support design verification, process characterization, validation, and technical documentation.
  • Demonstrate scalability through pilot builds, repeatability and reproducibility studies, capability assessments, supplier or equipment evaluations, technology transfer, and manufacturing implementation support.
  • Develop functional coatings on low-surface-energy substrates such as polypropylene, including lubricious or friction-reducing coatings; optimize coating adhesion, uniformity, durability, particulate resistance, and performance over the intended product lifecycle, and communicate clear technical recommendations to stakeholders.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
  • Strong foundation in surface chemistry, polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or a related field, with emphasis on soft materials and interfaces.
  • Deep understanding of adhesion mechanisms, interfacial thermodynamics, surface energy, wettability, diffusion and network constraints, coupling chemistry, coating adhesion, and failure modes in crosslinked polymer systems.
  • Hands-on experience selecting and applying surface characterization techniques and correlating surface properties with mechanical and device-level performance.
  • Experience developing surface treatments, primers, interlayers, adhesives, or coatings for low-surface-energy and chemically dissimilar polymers; direct experience with acrylic, silicone, or polypropylene is strongly preferred.
  • Experience developing and interpreting adhesion, peel, tensile, shear, fracture, fatigue, friction, wear, and coating-durability tests, including conditioned and accelerated-aging studies.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently transform ideas into competing hypotheses, executable experimental plans, quantitative decisions, and documented technical recommendations.
  • Working knowledge of design of experiments, measurement-system analysis, statistical data interpretation, process characterization, risk management, verification and validation, and scale-up of special processes.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate across R&D, engineering, quality, regulatory, manufacturing, suppliers, and external technical partners.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • None

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, and TRAINING:
  • Ph.D. in Materials Science, Surface Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated technical depth in polymer interfaces, adhesion, surface modification, or functional coatings; candidates may be considered at multiple levels based on experience.
  • Experience advancing a material or coating technology from laboratory feasibility through verification, validation, scale-up, and manufacturing transfer is strongly preferred.
  • Experience in medical devices or another regulated industry, including design controls, risk management, and special-process validation, is preferred.

COMPUTER SKILLS:
  • MS Office
  • Spreadsheet Software

Notice to Staffing Agencies and Search Firms:
RxSight does not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions from staffing agencies or search firms for any employment opportunities. All agency engagements must be authorized in writing for a specific position by RxSight's Talent Acquisition department. Any resumes or candidate information submitted without such specific engagement will be considered unsolicited and the property of RxSight. No fees will be paid in the event a candidate is hired under these circumstances.
Salary Description
$120,000 To $140,000 Per Year

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