Riverside Research is an independent National Security Nonprofit dedicated to research and development in the national interest. We provide high-end technical services, research and development, and prototype solutions to some of the country’s most challenging technical problems.
 
 All Riverside Research opportunities require U.S. Citizenship.
 

Riverside Research is seeking a talented and innovative Senior Material Research Scientist to join our research and development team. The successful candidate will focus on the design, development, and characterization of advanced multifunctional composite materials that integrate functionalities such as structural, electrical, thermal, and sensing capabilities. This role involves close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of engineers, material scientists, data scientists, and AI/ML researchers to drive the next generation of composite materials innovations.

• Lead the technical direction with government and team, and mentor junior/mid-level staff.
• Design and develop advanced multifunctional composite materials with integrated properties such as mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, thermal management, and sensing.
• Conduct experimental research to synthesize and characterize multifunctional composites.
• Develop and optimize fabrication techniques for multifunctional composites, including additive manufacturing, hybrid processes, and novel assembly methods.
• Perform material characterization such as spectroscopy microscopy, mechanical testing, and thermal analysis.
• Develop and test/characterize multifunctional material behavior in application relevant environments such as extreme environments (temperature, chemical, radiation, plasma and hypersonic).
• Provide analysis to predict influence of mechanical loads on functional performance.
• Experimental testing to measure tension, compression, and shear properties as well as interlaminar tension/interlaminar shear.
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams, including materials scientist, RF engineers, and AI/ML scientist to integrate multifunctional composites into new and existing components.
• Analyze data and interpret results to guide material development and optimization.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and publication to communicate research findings.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in materials science, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, physics, or a related field with a focus on multifunctional composites with 8 years of experience or 6 years with MS or 3 years with PhD.
• Must be eligible to obtain a Top Secret security clearance.
• 5+ years of experience in the research and development of multifunctional composite materials.
• Proven experience leading a technical project and team.
• Strong knowledge of composite material properties, fabrication techniques, and applications.
• Proficiency in materials characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM, XRD, FTIR, DSC, TGA, AFM.
• Familiarity with computational modeling and simulation tools for composite materials.
• Familiarity with electromagnetic characterization techniques utilizing lasers, microwaves, and electrical probe techniques.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in the aerospace, automotive, or renewable energy industries.
• Knowledge of sustainable and environmentally friendly composite materials.
• Experience with grant writing and securing funding for research projects.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing and hybrid fabrication techniques.

$130,000 - $220,000 This represents the typical compensation range for this position based on experience, location and other factors.

 
Riverside Research Institute is a not-for-profit, technology-oriented defense company, where service to our customers and support of our staff is our overall mission. Riverside is an affirmative action-equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring.  Riverside offers comprehensive compensation and benefit packages to our employees.
Riverside bases its employment decisions solely on technical experience, qualifications and other job-related criteria related to our organizational purpose as a not-for-profit company, and without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran’s status or any other status legally protected by applicable federal, state, and local law.