Staff Polymers Engineer Job at Figure (Sunnyvale)

Job Description

Figure is an AI Robotics company developing a general purpose humanoid. Our Humanoid is designed for corporate and home tasks targeting labor shortages and jobs that are undesirable or unsafe. We are seeking a Polymers Engineer to own the selection, development, and validation of softgoods materials used across the robot platform—including elastomers, foams, overmolded components, fabrics, TPU skins, silicones, blends, and engineered polymers. This role will define material specifications, evaluate emerging technologies, and lead hands-on testing and DOEs to ensure safety, durability, tactile quality, and manufacturability.

Job Responsibility

Identify, evaluate, and specify polymers, elastomers, and softgoods materials for tactile surfaces, protective interfaces, overmold regions, joint covers, and user-contact areas
Engage manufacturers, chemical suppliers, and fabricators to explore off-the-shelf materials or develop custom formulations, blends, durometers, or coatings
Create detailed material specifications, including durometer, modulus, abrasion resistance, tear strength, compression set, creep, chemical resistance, outgassing, UV stability, and finish quality
Build CMF/texture/touch standards where material feel and user perception matter
Develop and maintain material-level BOMs, datasheets, and qualification documentation
Lead benchtop material prototyping using molding, casting, thermoforming, lamination, and overmolding processes
Evaluate tactile feel, stretch, stiffness, damping, thermal behavior, and real-world durability of softgoods
Work with CMs and REL team to define and run accelerated life tests: cyclic fatigue, wear, chemical exposure, abrasion, and environmental aging
Define and execute DOEs to explore material blends, thicknesses, textiles, coatings, or overmold geometries
Analyze test data and present clear conclusions that guide design and vendor decisions
Work closely with material vendors and contract manufacturers on feasibility, cost, tooling, color-matching, durometer tuning, and process optimization
Drive DFM/DFA for polymer parts, fabrics, and elastomeric assemblies
Support early material trials, PPAP/FAI, and scale-up at domestic and international suppliers
Partner with ID to achieve aesthetic, tactile, and brand objectives
Support robot builds, evaluate in-field failure modes, and continuously improve material robustness

Requirements

10+ years of experience in polymer engineering, materials science, softgoods, or related mechanical/materials development
Bachelor’s or Master’s in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or similar
Strong understanding of polymer mechanics, elastomers, rheology, softgoods construction, and material processing
Experience running structured material tests and DOEs with clear data analysis
Proficiency in documenting material properties, specifications, and test results

Nice to have

Experience with softgoods/CMF development for consumer electronics, wearables, robotics, or automotive interiors
Familiarity with silicone molding, TPU/TPE, LSR, nylon fabrics, knit structures, foams, and hybrid composites
Knowledge of overmolding onto metal or plastic substrates
Experience collaborating with textile mills, polymer chemists, or materials R&D teams
Experience designing and interpreting environmental, chemical, and durability testing
Understanding of color science, texture development, and tactile perception
CATIA V6 experience

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Staff Polymers Engineer

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