Sr. Materials Engineer

Company: Align Technology
Location: San Jose
Posted on: February 9, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Description We are looking for an innovative candidate to be a key contributor as a Senior Material Engineer in our San Jose, CA location. As a key member of the R&D Materials Engineering team, you will be responsible for planning and executing projects that focus on 3D printing, material research and development. The ideal candidate will have a background in polymeric product development in resin based additive manufacturing. In addition, it is desirable to have experience in cosmetics, thermoplastics, coating and adhesive, and/or thermoset materials in dental or medical industries. Role expectations Drive product development from concept through validation and launch, ensuring performance and reliability of resin-based 3D printing materials. Develop and refine 3D printing processes, including print parameters, curing protocols, and surface finishing techniques Investigate post-processing methods such as cleaning, thermal curing, UV exposure, and surface treatments to enhance final part performance Apply knowledge of polymer chemistry, structure–process-property relationships, to improve material performance Support design verification and regulatory documentation for new materials Conduct hands-on lab work to develop, test, and refine process workflows Collaborate with design, manufacturing, clinical, marketing, regulatory, and legal teams to ensure product readiness Contribute to intellectual property generation through innovative material and process solutions Mentor junior engineers and lab technicians by sharing technical expertise and best practices Work with other engineers, designers, and managers to solve technical problems, develop product roadmaps. Manage multiple projects, ensuring timely execution and alignment with development goals What we're looking for PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field 8 years of experience in material research, with emphasis on polymer structure–property relationships and characterization Proficiency in polymer characterization techniques: mechanical testing, thermal analysis, rheology, Effective communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and technical reporting Preferred Qualifications 3–5 years of experience in 3D printing technologies, especially resin-based systems (e.g., SLA, DLP) Experience in dental or medical device product development Familiarity with coating processes, post-processing, and surface treatments for 3D printed parts Must-Have Experience 2 years in photopolymer material/ development 2 years in product development, preferably in medical devices Pay Transparency If provided, base salary or wage rate ranges are the range in which Align reasonably expects to set a candidate’s pay for the posted position. Actual placement depends on the individual skills and experience level of a candidate plus the total compensation and equity across team members. For other locations outside of the primary location, the base salary range will be adjusted geographically. For Field Sales roles, the salary listed is the base pay only and does not include the applicable incentive compensation plan. A cost of living adjustment may be added to base pay for higher cost areas in the U.S. Our internship hourly rates are a standard pay determined based on the position and your location, year in school, degree, and experience. General Description of All Benefits We are pleased to provide a general description of the benefits Align offers to full-time employees in this position. Family Benefits. Align offers employees and their eligible dependents medical (with a Health Savings Account option for some plan offerings), dental, and vision in accordance with those plans. Align also offers to employees: Discounts on Invisalign and Vivera to employees and their eligible dependents after 90 days of employment Back-up Child/Elder Care and access to a caregiving concierge Family Forming Benefits – Available to Employees, and their spouse or domestic partner, covered under one of Align’s health plans Breast Milk Delivery and Lactation Support Services Employee Assistance Program Hinge Health Virtual Physical Therapy – Available to all employees and eligible dependents (age 18) enrolled in an Align medical Plan Employee benefits. Align offers its employees: Short-term and long-term disability insurance in accordance with those plans. Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment. Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse/Domestic Partner, and Child(ren) are available for purchase in accordance with those plans. Flexible Spending Accounts – Employees may be eligible to participate in a health care account (including a limited health FSA if enrolled in a HDHP), dependent care account, and a pre-tax commuter benefit plan. 401k plan (with a discretionary Company match of 50% up to 6% of eligible earnings up to a maximum match of 3%.). Employer match vests after two years – 25% year one and 100% at year two. Align offers traditional, Roth, and after-tax options. Employee Stock Purchase Program (Employees must work 20 hours or more and be employed on purchase date to be eligible). Paid vacation of up to 17 days during the first full year of employment (currently accrued at the rate of 5.24 hours each pay-period), which carries over to a maximum cap of 30 days. Annual paid vacation time accrual increases based on tenure. Both exempt and non-exempt employees who work 32 hours or more per week receive prorated vacation accrual based on their regularly scheduled work hours and tenure. Sick time is accrued throughout the year at the rate of one hour for every thirty worked. Employees can carry over unused sick leave each year, up to a maximum balance of 80 hours. 11 Company-designated paid holidays throughout the year. If employed for at least 12 consecutive months, Align will grant up to 6 weeks of paid Parental Leave. If employed for less than 12 consecutive months, Align will grant up to 4 weeks of paid Parental Leave. All parental leave must be completed within one year of the birth or placement of the child. Parental leave is in addition to any state and/or local parental leave benefits. Three days of paid bereavement leave. In some cases, due to travel the amount of paid leave may be extended to 5 paid days off. To the extent applicable state or local law offers more generous benefits, Align complies with any such law. Non-exempt employees will receive full pay for up to 10 days of jury duty. Exempt employees will receive their full salary during any week they serve and perform any work. Other insurance such as legal, critical illness, voluntary accident, long-term care, auto, home and pet insurance are available for purchase. To the extent applicable state or local law offers more generous benefits, Align complies with any such law.

Keywords: Align Technology, Danville , Sr. Materials Engineer, Engineering , San Jose, California