About the Role
W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company driven by a commitment to improving lives through innovation. Our Performance Solutions Division supports a broad range of markets, including mobile electronics, automotive components, chemical processing, semiconductors, and industrial packaging, by delivering high-performance materials and solutions. Within Performance Solutions, the Complementary Materials Platform (CMP) team is focused on expanding Gore’s material capabilities beyond its well-known expertise in fluoropolymers. This team plays a strategic role in advancing the discovery and development of next-generation materials, with particular emphasis on porous material membranes and surface modification technologies.
The Complementary Materials Platform is seeking an Electrospinning Technologist to lead the development of next-generation electrospun membranes. This role will focus on advancing Gore’s capabilities in electrospinning through deep understanding of the process–structure–property relationships that govern membrane performance. This position is ideally suited for a technically deep, commercially-minded innovator who thrives at the intersection of material science, process development, and application-driven performance.
This position will be located at Gore’s Bizen facility in Okayama, Japan, with the possibility of a hybrid work arrangement, depending on the responsibilities of the role and business needs.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development of electrospun membranes through a deep understanding of polymer formulation, process parameters, and fiber/membrane structure
- Translate lab-scale and prototype electrospinning concepts into scalable, commercial-ready membrane solutions. This includes working with development teams in other regions (EMEA, US) to transfer knowledge across regions.
- Apply a data-driven, hypothesis-based experimental approach to establish meaningful relationships between electrospinning process and material performance
- Demonstrate a product- and business-oriented mindset, ensuring work is grounded in customer and application needs
- Collaborate across cross-functional teams to align material innovations with downstream processing, performance testing, and application integration
- Drive technical problem-solving and exhibit courage to challenge assumptions—within the lab, the broader technical community, and the business
- Rapidly iterate prototypes to guide material screening, down-selection, and process optimization
- Engage with external partners, including raw material suppliers, technology collaborators, and research institutions
- Contribute to and influence Gore’s intellectual property strategy through invention disclosure and technology protection
- Communicate clearly and confidently both in Japanese and English to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leadership
- Contribute to the overall evolution of CMP’s R&D strategy by sharing insights from your work and identifying platform-building opportunities
Required Qualifications
- Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in polymer science, chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or a related field
- Industrial experience with electrospinning, including progression from early-stage formulation to commercialization of membrane products
- Strong understanding of polymers, especially as related to processibility for electrospinning (solvent selection criteria, solution additives, polymer blends), surface characteristics, and porous membrane performance
- Deep understanding and track record of handling hazardous materials safely in compliance with regulations
- Experience developing or contributing to patents, invention disclosures, or proprietary material platforms
- Ability to independently design and interpret experiments, including data analysis and application of learnings
- Proven ability to work across functions and internationally, influencing decision making and driving alignment
- Experience collaborating with external organizations (e.g., suppliers, universities, JDA partners)
- Effective communicator who can clearly convey complex technical ideas to diverse audiences
- Demonstrated agility and ability to work at pace in a dynamic R&D environment
Desired Qualifications
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Understanding of porous membrane structure–property-performance interdependencies
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Exposure to product development processes and the role of materials R&D in innovation pipelines
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Familiarity with adjacent fields such as surface science, membrane filtration, acoustics, or barrier materials
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Track record of challenging conventional approaches to unlock new performance or market opportunities
What We Offer
Our success is based on the capability and creativity of our Associates, and we are proud to offer a comprehensive and competitive total rewards program that supports your everyday and helps you build your tomorrow.
We provide benefits that offer choice and flexibility and promote overall well-being. And in keeping with our belief that every Associate should share in the collective success of the enterprise; we provide a distinctive Associate Stock Ownership Plan in each country as well as potential opportunities for “profit-sharing”. Learn more at gore.com/careers/benefits
Gore is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, status as a qualified individual with a disability, genetic information, pregnancy status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a protected veteran, gender identity and expression, and any other characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.
Our Talent Acquisition Team welcomes your questions at gore.com/careers/contact
