Job Details
Job Description
Role: Sr Material Innovation Engineer Team: Materials R&D Scope: Individual Contributor, P4 Years of
Experience:
5-7+ Location: Ventura, CA, Hybrid General Summary: Through research and partnership in materials science, fiber technology, textile engineering, and chemistry, the Materials Innovation team is charged with improving technical performance and reducing environmental impact of Patagonia products. As part of this team, the Material Innovation Engineer is responsible for the extensive research, identification, acquisition, and development of novel and sustainable chemistry and textile technologies for use in the Patagonia’s product lines.
S/he must use academic and industry knowledge, supplier networks, publications, and research to develop applicable technologies that benefit Patagonia’s product lines through enhanced performance, sustainability, and intellectual property. The Material Innovation Engineer must understand the competitive strategy and position of each product line to guide innovative materials solutions into each of Patagonia’s product categories.
This position is equal parts scientific researcher, consultant, and project manager pertaining to advanced innovation concepts.
What You:
’ll do: Develop and manage relationships with external innovation partners and stakeholders (Technology Partners and Vendors). Strategize and manage projects within external relationships to drive milestone execution. Working within the Materials Innovation Team through collaboration and iterative technology development to create relevant, innovative chemistry, textile and process solutions.
- Maintain contact and collaboration with internal stakeholders (Materials R&D, Designers, Business Unit Directors, Product Developers, Quality, Production, Social and Environmental Responsibility) to ensure innovation research has supply chain relevance and feasibility.
- Lead Scale up and supplier engagement Validate Manufacturability, cost, and quality Oversee pilot runs and troubleshoot issues Work to develop and commercialize a variety of new chemicals, formulations, and chemical products within product categories.
Understand and implement forms of relevant legal documents/agreements (NDA, JDA, exclusivity). Work directly with 3rd party labs, supplier labs, and Patagonia Lab to test our innovation technologies to make sure they meet our company criteria and are fit for use.
- Maintain contact with Patagonia Field testing to get feedback on field needs and product performance.
Liason with the Lab and Field testing to help ensure the lab data and field results correlate. Attend key trade shows and conferences to build a broad range of knowledge and network.
Who You Are:
Environmentalist - Deeply passionate and committed to saving our home planet Methodical- Ability to gather appropriate input and make clear, well-reasoned decisions Team Player- Strong collaborative tendencies and team development
skills:
Adaptable- Ability to remain flexible to change within the work environment and scope of responsibility Resilient - Able to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines.
Experience:
You Bring: Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Textile Chemistry, Polymer Science or Materials Science. Advanced degrees preferred. 5+ years in chemistry development or polymer science industry.
Experience:
in outdoor and/or sports equipment development.
Experience:
working with textiles, apparel, softgoods and hardgoods a plus. Extreme attention to detail required and a proven ability to establish and maintain schedules and deadlines. Working knowledge of personal computers with demonstrated
experience:
in the use of such programs as: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Quark, Word, Excel, Outlook and Web PDM. Strong collaborative tendencies and team development
skills:
Ability to gather appropriate input and make clear, well-reasoned decisions. Comfortable with team-based work structure; ability to remain flexible to change within the work environment and scope of responsibility. Hiring Range: $119,000-$140,000 USD Annual At Patagonia, pay ranges are assigned to a job based on the location specific market median of similar jobs according to 3rd party salary benchmark surveys.
Individual pay within that range can vary for several reasons including
skills:
/capabilities,
experience:
, and available budget. Note the full pay range for this role ranges from: $119,440.00 - $179,160.00 USD Annual. The Hiring Range reflects where in the range we intend to hire for this role.
Benefits:
Patagonia offers a comprehensive
benefits:
package, including medical, dental, vision, retirement and leave of absence plans. Benefit plans may vary slightly depending on the nature of your employment. Workplace Location Overview This position is Hybrid, with a standard schedule of Tuesday - Thursday on-site and remote work on other days. Occasional additional office visits may be required for team events or critical meetings.
Employee Conduct It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive, inclusive work environment through cooperative and professional interactions with co-workers, customers and vendors. Equal Employment
Opportunity:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other factors prohibited by law. Patagonia’s Mission Statement We're in business to save our home planet.
Our Reason for Being At Patagonia, we appreciate that all life on earth is under threat of extinction. We aim to use the resources we have—our business, our investments, our voice and our imaginations—to do something
about:
it. Patagonia grew out of a small company that made tools for climbers. Alpinism remains at the heart of a worldwide business that still makes clothes for climbing—as well as for skiing, snowboarding, surfing, fly fishing, mountain biking and trail running. These are silent sports. None require an engine; rarely do they deliver the cheers of a crowd.
In each, reward comes in the form of hard-won grace and moments of connection with nature. As the climate crisis deepens, we see a potential, even probable end to such moments, and so we’re fighting to save them. We donate our time, services and at least 1 percent of our sales to help hundreds of grassroots organizations all over the world so that they can remain vigilant, and protect what’s irreplaceable.
At the same time, we know that we risk saving a tree only to lose the forest—a livable planet. As the loss of biodiversity, arable soils, coral reefs and fresh water all accelerate, we are doing our best to address the causes, and not just symptoms, of global warming. Staying true to our core values during forty-plus years in business has helped us create a company we're proud to run and work for.
To stay in business for at least forty more, we must defend the place we all call home.

