WHO WE ARE: MITO Material Solutions is a cutting-edge specialty chemical startup that manufactures hybrid polymer modifiers that make thermoset and thermoplastic polymer composites more durable, lighter, and more sustainable.

In this position, you will develop existing and new applications of our hybrid chemical additives within customer-supplied polymer products designed for use in fiber-reinforced polymer composites and thermoplastics. You will help to build the R&D lab in Indianapolis, IN adhering to the culture and vision of MITO Materials and act as a cross-disciplinary interface with both the sales team and potential customers to assist in technical sales. In this role, you will solve problems, develop experiments to test applications, and create new market opportunities by using data-driven methods to make recommendations to MITO's team and customers about best-suited material applications, review and respond to specific technical inquiries, and manage the experimentation of new and existing products in polymer composites.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop hybrid materials, make composite materials, and study the atomic structure of materials in order to discover new applications for their mechanical and chemical properties.
• Designs and participates in rapid prototyping procedures to qualify and quantify MITO in different polymer materials.
• Develop and conduct experiments using different polymeric materials on Instron according to ASTM standards and construct performance evaluation metrics deliverable to business leaders and outside stakeholders.
• Develop and implement novel material solutions to improve performance and efficiency in different applications.
• Engage in root cause failure investigations as a subject matter expert for failure mechanisms.
• Support polymer material property development by collaborating with material engineers to establish required design inputs and developing allowable for any gaps identified in the data set.
• Interaction with all aspects of engineering, R&D, business development, and production personnel on a regular basis.
• Collaboratively define R&D objectives by identifying and evaluating trends and options.
• Support analysis of failed attempts and makes recommendations for corrective action.
• Interface with customers and sales to identify and develop various product features that customers value and provide technical documentation to support.
• In-person support of customer presentations, meetings, trials, and production troubleshooting.
• Manage and maintain facility and testing equipment in the lab according to standard OSHA and ISO standards to ensure a safe, secure and legal, work environment.
• May be required to perform other related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Master's Degree or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or Materials Science with a minimum of 3 years relevant experience OR equal amount of commensurate experience
• Experience working in a start-up or other highly adaptable environments with small teams
• Experience in polymer characterization techniques and equipment, including SEM-EDS, FTIR, DSC, TGA, LFA, rheometry, optical microscopy, hardness testers, cross-section sample preparation and mechanical property testing
• Hands-on industry experience in application development in different polymer composites
• Strong technical skills in the design of experiments, data gathering, statistical and engineering analysis and evaluation
• Experience in customer-facing roles such as technical support or technical sales is very desirable.
• Ability to work independently and with cross-functional teams
• Ability to manage multiple projects independently with strong project management skills
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Ability to travel up to 25% of the year and willing to work full time and be based in Indianapolis, IN
• May be required to lift, carry, push or pull up to and including 50 pounds
• Highly motivated, proactive, optimistic, self-starter attitude

MITO Material Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with MITO Materials is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.