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SandboxAQ · 13 hours ago

Staff Research Scientist & Project Lead

United States

Full-time

Remote

Lead/Staff

$188K/yr - $298K/yr

8+ years exp

SandboxAQ is a high-growth company delivering AI solutions that address some of the world's greatest challenges. They are seeking a senior technical leader to own and scale their LQM-driven Alloy Materials platform, focusing on lightweighting alloys for U.S. Government and defense applications.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)Cyber SecurityInformation TechnologyQuantum ComputingSaaS

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Technical & Platform Leadership: Own the technical vision and "north star" architecture for the AI-driven alloy platform. You will lead the integration of AI/ML, physics simulations, and materials knowledge graphs to represent complex microstructure knowledge and processing pathways, ensuring data is connected and reusable across all programs to optimize for lightweighting and manufacturability

Program Execution & Delivery: Drive end-to-end delivery for multiple U.S. Government programs, managing the full lifecycle from discovery and down-selection through to validation and manufacturing transition. You will establish success metrics that balance scientific rigor and AI performance with critical customer mission impact

Stakeholder & Customer Engagement: Serve as the primary technical interface for senior government, lab, and defense partners. You will lead Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) and roadmap discussions, translating sophisticated AI-materials insights into clear strategic narratives for both engineers and senior decision-makers

Cross-Functional Leadership: Orchestrate and influence multidisciplinary teams—spanning materials science, AI research, software engineering, and security—to translate mission objectives into executable technical plans that ensure long-term platform scalability and reuse

Strategy & Growth: Contribute to the long-term strategy for alloy initiatives across defense and adjacent sectors. You will lead proposal development (including SOWs and win themes) and identify key opportunities for platform expansion, strategic partnerships, and future investment areas in AI-enabled alloy materials engineering

Qualification

AI/MLAlloy materials expertiseTechnical program leadershipMechanical EngineeringMaterials EngineeringCloud-based HPC workflowsStakeholder engagementProposal developmentCommunication skillsCross-functional leadership

Required

MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related field

8+ years experience in technical and program leadership (DoD, national labs, aerospace/defense, advanced manufacturing, or adjacent) with demonstrated success leading multi-stakeholder, high-complexity technical programs using AI/ML for materials or engineering problems

Strong alloy materials expertise (e.g., Al/Mg/Ti/Ni/steel systems; microstructure–property relationships; processing and qualification pathways)

Demonstrated success leading multi-stakeholder, high-complexity technical programs with external customers. Comfort working with ambiguity and evolving requirements with a high ownership mindset

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences, including senior government leaders, executives, and technical teams with a proven ability to lead through influence and drive accountability

Familiarity with ITAR-compliant environments, CUI handing, and cloud-based HPC workflows

Must be a U.S. Citizen

Preferred

Prior experience supporting U.S. Government contracts (DoD, DOE, DARPA, AFRL, ARPA-E, NAVSEA, Army, etc.)

Background in metallurgical engineering or applied materials science with familiarity with ICME, computational materials, CALPHAD, process modeling, qualification/transition workflows

Familiarity with knowledge graphs, data ontologies, or structured materials databases

Experience with hardware/manufacturing programs (additive manufacturing, casting, forging, heat treatment, welding, joining) and understanding of structural engineering or lightweight design principles

Experience supporting or developing AI-driven tools for engineering or manufacturing workflows

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents with generous employer premium contributions

Retirement savings with company matching

Paid parental leave

Inclusive family-building benefits

Flexible paid time off

Company-wide seasonal breaks

Support for flexible work arrangements that enable sustainable performance

Opportunities for continuous learning and growth through on-the-job development, cross-functional collaboration, and access to internal learning and development programs