Lead Materials Engineer

Sway is a pre-seed biomaterials company that harnesses the power of seaweed to create carbon-negative, home-compostable replacements for single-use plastics. Our goal is to produce high-performance, seaweed-based, flexible LDPE replacements that regenerate the planet rather than destroying it.

Our team is focused, committed, and fast moving. As a member of our core team, you will have a direct impact on the future of the company. A genuine passion and shared belief to accelerate the world’s transition towards sustainable solutions and a plastic-free future is important.
We were recently named winners of Closed Loop Partner’s Beyond the Bag Challenge and are working with a consortium of retail partners including, Target, Wal-mart and CVS towards a potential 2021 pilot

Sway is looking for a Lead Materials Engineer that is an eager and goal-focused individual, who is proactive in problem-solving and channels vital leadership and communication skills needed to shape the future of our growing company. This person will work with the R&D and supply chain teams to accelerate the advancement of prototypes and concepts to commercial products.

Job Responsibilities:

• Leverage knowledge of polymer chemistry to conduct lab and pilot scale preparations, characterization, experimentation, and evaluations of innovative biomaterials for the consumer packaged goods industry. 
• Work closely with process and production partners to scale products at manufacturing sites in line with the Sway’s commercial strategy
• Function as the liaison to converters and testing groups to advance new products and solve technical problems
• Deliver cutting edge solutions to time-sensitive and highly integrated product development problems 
• Work within multidisciplinary teams (technology, manufacturing, business, marketing) to innovate and develop new commercial opportunities.
• Effectively communicate results through technical written documentation and oral presentations to both internal and external audiences

Education and Experience Requirements:

• A Masters or PhD degree in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Physics, or a closely related field. Recent graduates are encouraged to apply. 
• Demonstrated practical knowledge of polymer synthesis, mechanisms in organic chemistry, and laboratory experimentation techniques.
• Experience analyzing materials and associated data through a variety of methods including thermal analysis, mechanical/tensile testing, and MS
• Direct experience in the development of plastic materials, process engineering and extrusion desired
• Effective working knowledge of structure - property relationships and polymer characterizations.
• 2-5 years of industrial R&D experience considered a plus
• Track record of innovative thinking, technical accomplishments, and leadership of multiple projects
• Background in biomaterials synthesis as well as a passion and knowledge of sustainability/circular economy principles a major plus

Interested persons please send an email to matt@swaythefuture.com with the subject “Application Lead Materials Engineer.” Please include your resume/CV and a brief cover letter that conveys your interest, relevant experience and why you would make a great fit to our team.