Sr. Materials Engineer, R&D Core Materials

Company: Align Technology
Location: San Jose
Posted on: February 13, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Description Align Technology, Inc. is seeking a Senior Materials Engineer with deep expertise in polymer science, sustainability, material compatibility, and medical device packaging to lead complex, cross-functional projects spanning orthodontic accessory and ancillary product compatibility, recycled materials innovation, and advanced packaging development. This role serves as a technical leader and subject-matter expert (SME) who defines testing strategy, establishes technical direction, and partners across the organization to translate material innovations into scalable, compliant, and sustainable product solutions. You will collaborate across R&D, eCommerce, Manufacturing, Regulatory, Quality, Legal, and Supply Chain to deliver robust material solutions that enable Align’s growth and sustainability goals. Role expectations Lead and own material selections and studies for orthodontic accessory and ancillary products to ensure safety, functionality with Invisalign orthodontic appliances, and packaging. Drive the development of circular-material technologies by transforming recycled polymers into high-performance, qualified applications. Design, evaluate, and optimize medical and consumer packaging for performance, manufacturability, and sustainability in accordance with ISO 11607 and ASTM/ISTA standards. Design and perform standard and customized polymer characterization (thermal, mechanical, rheological, spectroscopic) and long-term reliability evaluations. Define and approve material specifications; author validation protocols and reports documentation per Design Control and QMS requirements. Lead collaboration with internal teams and external partners to evaluate, qualify, and scale sustainable materials and packaging solutions globally. Support chemical-compliance and biocompatibility evaluations to ensure regulatory readiness and provide data for product filings. Translate complex test results into clear technical reports, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations that guide product and business decisions. Mentor and coach engineers and technicians to strengthen experimental design, data integrity, and sustainability best practices across the materials function. What we're looking for M.S., or Ph.D. degree in Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline. 8 years of R&D experience involving polymers, packaging, or medical devices. Proven expertise in polymer characterization, structure–property analysis, and material compatibility evaluation. Must have the technical abilities to apply results to product performance metrics Strong background in sustainability and recycled materials development, including processing, evaluation, and qualification for value-added applications. Hands-on experience in packaging materials design, development, and validation for medical or consumer products. Excellent technical communication and cross-functional collaboration skills. Strong analytical thinking and ability to translate data into practical engineering recommendations. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and influence cross-functional stakeholders. Demonstrated learning agility, ownership, and a proactive, results-driven mindset. Ability to take initiative, follow through, and approach challenges with curiosity and persistence in a fast-paced environment. High standards of execution, integrity, and accountability, with a strong commitment to achieving results and goals. Complementary skills Experience evaluating material interactions for chemical and functional compatibility with medical devices and packaging systems. Knowledge of environmental, chemical, and packaging compliance standards, including REACH, RoHS, Prop 65, TSCA, ISO 10993, and ISO 11607. Familiarity with sustainable packaging materials, validation methods, and relevant ASTM and ISTA test standards (e.g., ASTM F88, F1980; ISTA 3A). Working knowledge of design control, risk management, and validation processes in accordance with ISO 13485 and FDA QSR requirements. 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, R&D Core Materials, Engineering , San Jose, California