Materials Research Scientist/Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 30, 2026. First seen by Alion on Sep 7, 2026.
Overview
The Optical Materials group is seeking an enthusiastic Materials Research Scientist/Engineer to join our team at SRI International’s Menlo Park, California headquarters. You will have the opportunity to make important contributions to on-going and future R&D programs in nanophotonic inverse design, metasurfaces, quantum optics, and more.
SRI International is an independent nonprofit research organization with a mission to create world-changing solutions that make people safer, healthier, and more productive. From the computer mouse to robotic surgery, cancer treatments, and more, SRI’s 75 years of innovation have created new industries, billions of dollars in market value, and lasting benefits to society. SRI was instrumental in the creation of the internet, high-definition television, and the U.S Postal Service’s automated letter sorting system. Some of its many successful spinout companies include E-Trade, Siri, Symantec, Intuitive Surgical, and Nuance. CHECK OUT OUR HISTORY!
The Optical Materials group is part of the Space & Survivability Lab within the Advanced Technology and Systems Division at SRI. The lab is home to several collaborative groups that perform research and development in a variety of areas, including optical materials, advanced sensing systems, nanofabrication, energetic materials, radar systems, and atmospheric science. By and large, our lab is focused on applying academic research to address DoD applications. CHECK OUT OUR LAB!
Responsibilities
- Perform numerical simulations to analyze and optimize nanophotonic devices
- Apply your scientific creativity to develop new concepts and research areas
- Conduct business development and contribute to white papers and proposals
- Provide technical briefings and reports and support client engagement
- Collaborate with multi-disciplinary staff
This is a junior PI-track (principal investigator) opportunity to be mentored to become a PI for new research thrusts; based on your own ideas and direct interactions with customers, both in and outside your area of academic expertise.
Qualifications
- PhD in Physics, Optics, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline with 0-2 years of relevant experience required.
- Higher levels of relevant experience with demonstrated independent work or task leadership skills will also be considered.
- Experience with commercial full-wave electromagnetic modeling software, such as Ansys HFSS or COMSOL Multiphysics.
- Familiarity with inverse design and/or machine learning is a plus.
- U.S. Citizenship with the ability to obtain/maintain DoD security clearance required. Current clearance is a plus.
- Limited travel required.
The salary range is: $115,710-$172,115. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/. SRI will accept applications until the position is filled.
SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For more than 75 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.