R&D Project Engineer

Location: Huntington Beach
Compensation: $80,000-$95,000k (depending on experience)

About the Role

The R&D Project Engineer is a hybrid role that combines program leadership with hands-on laboratory work. Approximately half of the role (~50%) is dedicated to planning and driving cross-functional materials programs from concept through commercialization, and the other half (~50%) to bench-level R&D work that directly supports those same programs, including formulation, sample preparation, testing, and data analysis. The role partners closely with R&D, Regulatory, Clinical, Quality, Product Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain teams to align program objectives with business goals. Success in this role requires strong program and risk management skills, a solid technical foundation in materials, and the ability to move comfortably between the project plan and the lab bench.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management (50%)

● Plan and drive execution of multiple concurrent materials programs, managing the product/resin life cycle from concept and development through design transfer and commercial launch.

● Build and maintain project schedules, deliverables, and dashboards; monitor timelines, risks, and budget, and deliver weekly status reporting to leadership.

● Coordinate cross-functional work across R&D, Regulatory, Clinical, Quality, Product Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain; define roles and responsibilities and facilitate project meetings using Agile frameworks where appropriate.

● Conduct project risk assessments and lead mitigation planning and implementation.

● Develop clear, concise program communications tailored for leadership, project teams, and external partners, including suppliers and overseas manufacturers.

● Support continuous improvement of project management processes and coach team members in adopting them.

Hands-On R&D Laboratory Work (~50%)

● Execute laboratory work in support of the programs the role manages, including resin formulation and mixing, sample preparation, and 3D printing and post-processing of test specimens.

● Perform material characterization and performance testing (e.g., mechanical properties, viscosity, cure depth, degree of conversion, color and translucency) per internal methods and applicable standards such as ISO 4049, ISO 10477, and ISO 20795.

● Design and run experiments (including DOE), analyze results, and prepare technical summaries and reports that feed directly into project decisions.

● Support design verification, stability/shelf-life, and scale-up studies, and assist with technology transfer to manufacturing.

● Evaluate incoming raw materials and investigate material or lot discrepancies, working with suppliers to identify root cause and corrective actions.

● Maintain accurate laboratory records (notebooks, protocols, reports) in accordance with Good Documentation Practices and the ISO 13485 quality management system.

● Follow laboratory safety and chemical hygiene practices, and help maintain lab equipment, consumables, and material inventory.

Data Analysis, Budget, and Supply Chain Support

● Use statistical tools to conduct root cause analysis on project delays or material discrepancies, including supplier, logistics, or production issues.

● Forecast material needs and supply chain risks for active programs; work with overseas manufacturers to track key indicators such as on-time delivery and inventory levels.

● Develop and track project budgets, and perform ROI and variance analysis to improve future planning accuracy.

● Translate technical and project data into clear business cases for senior leadership, including new suppliers, technology investments, and process improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical, Polymer, or Biomedical Engineering, or a related technical field, with 4+ years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree with 2+ years.

• Hands-on laboratory experience in polymer, resin, or materials formulation, testing, and characterization.

• Demonstrated experience managing cross-functional projects, including schedules, risks, and budgets.

• Ability to balance project management responsibilities with bench work and to prioritize effectively across both.

• Must be able to work onsite in Huntington Beach.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Project, PowerPoint); advanced Excel skills preferred.

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.

• Self-motivated and adaptable, with a strong sense of accountability and ownership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with photopolymer resins or 3D printing materials, ideally in the dental or medical device industry.

• Familiarity with design controls, ISO 13485, and Good Documentation Practices.

• Experience with DOE and statistical software (e.g., Minitab, JMP).

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification; familiarity with Agile methodologies (e.g., Jira, Scrum).

• Lean or Six Sigma certification.

• Experience in materials or supply chain management within the dental, healthcare, or medical device industries.

• International experience or Mandarin language skills a plus.

Employment Type

Full-time

About SprintRay

SprintRay is rewriting the rules of dentistry with technology that’s smart, fast, and designed to make life easier for dental professionals. Since 2014, we’ve been on a mission to deliver the most advanced 3D printing solutions in the industry—combining hardware, software, and materials into one seamless ecosystem.

But what really makes SprintRay different is our people. We’re a bold, global team of innovators, problem-solvers, and doers who thrive on pushing boundaries and challenging the status quo. Every product we create is driven by a simple goal: help dentists spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time changing patients’ lives.

Our culture is entrepreneurial, collaborative, and fueled by curiosity. We celebrate diverse perspectives and believe the best ideas can come from anywhere. Whether we’re building next-generation AI tools, designing new materials, or supporting our customers on the front lines, we’re united by the same passion—transforming digital dentistry and having fun while we do it.

At SprintRay, the future of dentistry is being printed today. Want to be part of it?