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Boston Materials is seeking a Materials Development Manager to lead the development of next-generation Liquid Metal Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs) for AI and datacenter applications. This is a player-coach role combining hands-on technical work with team leadership and program management.
You will lead, hire, and develop a team of chemists, materials engineers, and lab technicians, setting clear goals and fostering career growth. You'll provide hands-on technical leadership in liquid metal and composite TIM development, focusing on organic/inorganic interface engineering, formulation, and surface chemistry. You will establish rigorous experimental practices including design of experiments, data management, and standardized characterization and reliability test methods (thermal impedance, pump-out, thermal cycling, HAST).
Key responsibilities include defining and owning the TIM materials development roadmap in partnership with leadership, aligning technical priorities with customer needs and business goals. You will plan, prioritize, and manage R&D programs across scope, timelines, resources, and stage-gate decisions. You'll partner with NPI and process engineering to transfer new materials from lab to pilot and high-volume production with clear specifications and process windows.
You will work with Applications and Commercial teams to understand customer requirements, support sampling and qualification, and resolve technical issues in the field. You'll build and protect intellectual property by identifying inventions and working with counsel on patent filings. You'll manage lab resources including equipment purchases, budgets, and outside partners such as universities, test labs, and suppliers. Finally, you'll communicate progress, risks, and results to leadership, customers, and partners through clear reports and presentations, while championing a culture of safety, scientific rigor, and continuous improvement.
Boston Materials produces advanced materials with enhanced energy transfer properties using patented Z-axis Carbon Fiber technology. The company's products solve critical performance bottlenecks in thermal, electrical, and structural applications, with breakthrough Liquid Metal ZRT thermal interface material designed to solve thermal chokepoints in next-generation AI and HPC silicon.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field; OR M.S. with equivalent industry experience
- 8+ years of materials R&D experience, including at least 3 years leading technical teams or programs with direct reports
- Proven track record of taking new materials from concept through scale-up and customer qualification
- Deep expertise in at least one relevant area: thermal interface materials, liquid metals and alloys, composites, interfacial or surface chemistry, or electronic packaging materials
- Strong command of materials characterization methods (SEM/EDS, XRD, rheology, DSC/TGA, thermal conductivity and impedance measurement) and statistical design of experiments
- Experience managing R&D roadmaps, budgets, and timelines across multiple concurrent projects
- Excellent written and verbal communication, with ability to present technical work to executives and customers
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience developing materials for semiconductor, electronics packaging, or datacenter industries
- Familiarity with reliability standards and qualification practices used by semiconductor and electronics customers (e.g., JEDEC)
- Experience transferring processes from R&D to manufacturing and working within quality systems
- Record of patents and/or peer-reviewed publications
- Prior experience in a startup or early-stage company
