Materials Engineer, Adhesives

Job Description

Job Description

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to financially sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for this opportunity currently.

About Slate

At Slate, we're building safe, reliable vehicles that people can afford, personalize and love — and doing it here in the USA as part of our commitment to reindustrialization. The spirit of DIY and customization runs throughout every element of a Slate, because people should have control over how their trucks look, feel, and represent them.

Who we are looking for:

Slate is looking for an energetic and organized Materials Engineer, Adhesives to join our team. This individual will serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) with expertise in automotive sealing and bonding, and will be responsible for developing and validating all body and exterior sealants and adhesives across the organization.

What you get to do:

• Be a key member of a dynamic team pushing the boundaries of vehicle design.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive sealant and adhesive strategy for body and exterior systems.
• Manage all aspects of adhesive application performance and validation, ensuring alignment with project requirements, including cost, weight, timing, and manufacturability.
• Lead collaboration with internal and external teams (including suppliers) to meet all project objectives.

What you bring to the team:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or a related field is required. Master's degree is preferred.
• 6+ years of experience in the automotive industry, with a focus on paint, sealants, adhesives, and bonding cell development.
• Expert knowledge of material engineering theory, including polymers, coatings, adhesives, and surface preparation techniques.
• In-depth knowledge of existing sealant and adhesive materials, including market trends and application limitations.
• Ability to lead design teams and successfully integrate sealants and adhesives into body and exterior systems.
• Experience in physical testing of multi-material bonded joints.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals.
• Highly adaptable and proactive, excelling in fast-paced start-up and new model launch environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Physical Requirements:

• Must have the ability to travel (up to 20%).
• Must have the ability to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Must have the ability to stand, walk, and perform repetitive tasks for extended periods.

Why Join Team Slate?

We're fueled by grit, determination, and attention to detail. Slate's start-up spirit of ingenuity and resourcefulness moves our business forward. Team Slate fosters a culture of excellence, innovation, and mutual respect, and is motivated by shared principles.

• Safety First
• Delight Customers
• One Team
• Relentless Improvement
• Fast, Frugal, and Scrappy
• Respectful Collaboration
• Positive Legacy

We want to work with people that reflect the communities in which we operate.

• Slate is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason.
• Slate is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at recar- [email protected].