Polymer Lab Technician 

Must be a U.S. Citizen due to the nature of our work.

Defense, aerospace, and other high-performance applications demand new material solutions stronger, lighter, more resilient, tested, and delivered faster than traditionally available. Cambium is disrupting advanced materials development, from AI-driven molecular design to agile domestic manufacturing. Whether enabling hypersonic flight or protecting critical systems, our solutions push the limits of what’s possible. Cambium solves mission-critical problems in defense and industry. Our team of world-class scientists and engineers was purpose built to take on those challenges. Come join us and revolutionize advanced materials for defense, aerospace, and beyond.

We are seeking a Polymer Lab Technician to join our expanding team in El Segundo, CA. The ideal candidate is a hands-on laboratory professional who will collaborate with chemists, scientists, and engineers to advance polymer research, formulation, testing, and scale-up projects. This position demands meticulous attention to detail, adherence to written procedures, and prior experience working with polymer or chemical materials in a laboratory setting. 

Key Responsibilities 

  • Follow written and verbal instructions to accurately perform a wide range of polymer and chemical laboratory tasks. 

  • Prepare, weigh, mix, and process polymer formulations, resins, elastomers, or related chemical materials. 

  • Assist with polymer compounding, blending, curing, and material processing activities. 

  • Prepare samples for testing, characterization, and scale-up trials. 

  • Operate laboratory equipment and instruments used for polymer and materials characterization 

  • Accurately document experimental procedures, observations, and results in laboratory notebooks or electronic systems. 

  • Work closely with senior chemists and engineers to support R&D experiments, troubleshooting, and process optimization. 

  • Maintain laboratory organization, chemical inventory, and equipment readiness. 

  • Follow all laboratory safety protocols and contribute to a strong culture of safety. 

  • Participate in R&D problem-solving activities with an open and collaborative mindset. 

Required Qualifications 

  • High school diploma or certificate with more than 5 years of experience. 

  • Demonstrated hands-on experience in a laboratory environment, including academic, industrial, R&D, or manufacturing settings. 

  • Ability to follow written procedures and accurately document work. 

  • Detail-oriented, organized, and reliable working style. 

  • Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

  • Due to the nature of the work, U.S. citizenship or U.S. permanent residency is required. 

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Experience with polymer characterization techniques, including DSC, TGA, FTIR, rheology, and mechanical testing. 

  • Prior experience handling various polymers is desirable. 

  • Ability to prepare SOPs and work within basic quality systems, such as GMP or ISO-style documentation. 

  • Comfort working with hazardous chemicals and understanding of chemical hygiene best practices. 

  • Prior experience supporting scale-up trials or working in manufacturing and production environments. 

Physical Requirements 

  • Good manual dexterity. 

  • Ability to work at standing and/or sitting workstations. 

  • Ability to safely handle chemicals and laboratory equipment while wearing required PPE. 

  • Ability to lift and move laboratory materials as needed.