Director of Materials Science (Hybrid)

Purple is a digitally-native vertical brand with a mission to help people feel and live better through innovative comfort solutions. To us, comfort means more than great products, it means empowering every employee to feel comfortable being themselves. We believe your career at Purple will be a one-of-a-kind “Career in Comfort” because our workforce is one-of-a-kind. We are committed to a culture of collaboration where every voice is heard and understood. As an innovation company at our core, we believe a diversity workforce brings better insights, solutions and products and serves as the backbone to bettering our company. Join with us as we add to our team of exceptional individuals who will help us take over the world — one mattress at a time.
Compensation
Job Summary
This is an onsite position at our HQ in Draper, UT, with remote work as business and laboratory needs allow.
The Director of Materials Science is a hands-on technical leader within the Materials Science Team in the Innovations Department. You are the backbone of the technological improvement to Purple's comfort technology offerings, centered on our Hyper-Elastic Polymer and the GelFlex® Grid it creates, and much of the work is at the forefront of the company's innovation pipeline. Alongside leading day-to-day laboratory work, you represent Materials Science to senior leadership and, when required, the Board of Directors, turning lab results into clear business recommendations.
Job Description
How you’ll shape the future of comfort
Lead, hire, and develop a small team of Materials Scientists and Technicians, supporting them with project planning, execution, mentorship, performance management, and career development, and scale the team as the function grows by defining the roles, structure, and career paths that make Purple a destination for materials talent.
Contribute to and help shape the multi-year materials science roadmap, aligned with Innovations and company product, cost, and growth goals, while managing multiple projects at once and prioritizing work according to team, department, and company goals.
Lead hands-on laboratory investigations into modifications and improvements of Hyper-Elastic Polymer Gels relating to both the product and processes, including literature research, DOE-based blending and formulation plans, and mechanical and physical testing.
Own the Chemical Hygiene and Laboratory Safety programs and the laboratory notebook and report structure, setting rigorous standards for experimental design, analytical methods, documentation, and data integrity.
Lead the transfer of new formulations from lab to full-scale production, partnering with Manufacturing on scale-up, process validation, and yield improvement.
Serve as the subject matter expert on HEP and polymer materials, acting as liaison between Materials Science and internal teams (Production, Quality, Engineering, Product Development, Supply Chain, and Marketing), and publish internal reports and present findings to senior leadership and, when required, the Board of Directors.
Build and protect Purple's materials intellectual property in partnership with Legal, including invention disclosures and patent filings, and manage external partnerships with suppliers, universities, and contract labs.
Travel occasionally off-site to corporate and vendor sites (<10%), with occasional travel to technical conferences.
What we’re looking for
Master's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Polymer Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or other relevant scientific area with 8-10 years' experience in relevant fields.
3+ years of people leadership of scientists and/or technicians, including hiring, performance management, mentorship, and professional development.
Extensive knowledge of polymer structure, physical chemistry, and polymer characterization techniques.
Strong technical writing and presentation skills for communicating advanced scientific concepts to a variety of audiences.
Executive-level communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical findings into clear business recommendations for senior leadership, the Board of Directors, and non-technical stakeholders.
Proficiency with design of experiments and statistical analysis software (Minitab or equivalent).
Proficient with Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
Even Better if...
PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Polymer Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or other relevant scientific area, or a Master's degree with 10+ years' experience in relevant fields.
Experience with oil-extended elastomer gels and rheological testing.
Track record developing novel, patentable solutions to technical problems.
Significant exposure to a Stage Gate process for implementation of new materials into production.
Extensive knowledge of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), melt flow processing (MFI), rheology (ODR/ESR), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and benchtop injection molding.
Experience establishing or overseeing laboratory safety and chemical hygiene programs.
Experience building or scaling a technical team.
Physical Requirements:
Physical activities may occasionally include:
Adjusting or moving objects up to 15 pounds in all directions.
Ability to work with mixing equipment/respirator for raw materials addition.
Physical activities may constantly include:
Communicating with others to exchange information.
Repetitive motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of work assigned.
Environmental Conditions may occasionally include:
Noisy instrumentation in laboratories.
Laboratory environment with exposure to chemicals, requiring use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
BENEFITS AND PERKS
Medical, Dental, Vision
401(k) Match
Flexible PTO
Earn a Mattress
Purple Swag
Amazing Purple Products
WHY WORK AT PURPLE?
Make your mark: We value innovative thinking. At Purple, you will be empowered to bring your ideas to life as we work together to improve people’s lives through comfort.
Gain unique experience: Be a part of one of the fastest growing companies in Utah! The contributions you make will matter at Purple as the company continues to grow with you.
Awesome culture: Join the tight-knit team at Purple and you can enjoy working alongside industry experts, making close friends, and annual employee appreciation events.
Purple provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.