Senior Operations Leader
SymboticSalary not specified
Full Time
Expert & Leadership (9+ years)
Not SpecifiedCompensation
Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level
Full TimeJob Type
UnknownVisa
Biomaterials, Advanced MaterialsIndustries
Requirements
- Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Leather Technology, or a related field
- 7+ years of hands-on experience in materials development, surface finishing, tanning, or polymer coatings
- Strong understanding of material behavior during chemical and mechanical finishing processes
- Experience working with leather, leather alternatives, or flexible composites is highly desirable
- Proficient in experimental design, technical validation, and performance analysis
- Comfortable working in cross-functional environments and with external manufacturing partners
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Fluent in English; Spanish proficiency strongly preferred; French is a plus
Responsibilities
- Provide technical expertise on tanning, finishing, and surface treatment processes for Fine Mycelium™ materials
- Support experimental development, testing, and validation of downstream processes internally and with partner tanneries
- Translate technical requirements from commercial and upstream development teams into clear experimental plans
- Partner with Quality, Process Development, and Commercial teams to resolve technical issues affecting material performance
- Analyze and synthesize experimental results into actionable recommendations for process adjustments or improvements
- Help prioritize technical development initiatives based on business needs, customer feedback, and process feasibility
- Participate in technical reviews with external tannery partners, identifying gaps and proposing solutions
- Maintain documentation of experiments, process changes, and technical evaluations
- Stay abreast of industry trends, materials innovations, and best practices in tanning, finishing, and surface modification
- Travel occasionally to partner sites and internal production facilities (up to 20-30%)
Skills
Key technologies and capabilities for this role
Questions & Answers
Common questions about this position
What compensation is offered for this role?
This information is not specified in the job description.
Is this role remote or based in a specific location?
The role supports the downstream product development team in Spain and involves occasional travel to partner sites and internal production facilities (up to 20-30%).
What qualifications and skills are required for this position?
A Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Leather Technology, or a related field is required, along with 7+ years of hands-on experience. The ideal candidate has a strong background in materials science, surface engineering, or leather finishing.
What is the company culture like at MycoWorks?
MycoWorks roots relationships in core values: Be Mycelial, Cultivate Quality, and Grow the Future, and is committed to building a diverse team and an inclusive environment where all employees belong. They offer competitive equity and benefits programs to support employee health, well-being, and financial empowerment.
What makes a strong candidate for this Senior Materials Specialist role?
A strong candidate has a Master’s or PhD in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Leather Technology, or related field with 7+ years of hands-on experience, a background in materials science, surface engineering, or leather finishing, and enjoys applying deep technical expertise to manufacturing challenges.
MycoWorks
Produces sustainable mycelium-based leather alternative
About MycoWorks
MycoWorks produces a leather alternative called Reishi™, made from mycelium, which is a part of fungus. This material is designed to be sustainable and is appealing to fashion brands and designers seeking eco-friendly options. Reishi™ has already been used in luxury products, such as handbags and hats. The company has recently expanded its operations by opening a large facility in South Carolina, which is the first commercial-scale plant dedicated to producing Fine Mycelium™. This expansion reflects MycoWorks' commitment to meeting the increasing demand for sustainable materials in the fashion industry. Unlike traditional leather, Reishi™ offers a more environmentally friendly choice without compromising on quality. MycoWorks aims to capture a significant share of the growing leather goods market, which is projected to reach over $720 billion by 2030.
Emeryville, CaliforniaHeadquarters
2013Year Founded
$181.9MTotal Funding
SERIES_CCompany Stage
Industrial & Manufacturing, Consumer GoodsIndustries
201-500Employees
Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Equity
401(k) Retirement Plan
FSA Accounts
Paid Parental Leave
Paid Holidays
Unlimited Paid Time Off
Risks
Competition from companies like Bolt Threads and Ecovative may impact market share.
Reliance on luxury markets could limit growth during economic downturns.
Operational challenges in large-scale production may affect profitability if not managed well.
Differentiation
MycoWorks offers Reishi™, a unique mycelium-based leather alternative, unlike traditional materials.
The company operates the world's first commercial-scale Fine Mycelium™ plant in South Carolina.
Reishi™ is integrated into luxury items, showcasing its premium market positioning.
Upsides
Growing demand for sustainable fashion boosts Reishi™'s market potential and adoption.
Partnerships with luxury brands like Hermès and Ligne Roset enhance brand visibility and credibility.
The new South Carolina facility enables efficient scaling to meet increasing demand.
Related Jobs
RemoteRemotePrincipal Data Engineer, Attack Surface Intelligence
Recorded FutureSalary not specified
RemoteSenior Data Scientist, Advanced Analytics
TRM LabsSalary not specified
- Full Time
- Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)
RemoteSenior Software Engineer - Processing
Lithic$145,000 - $195,000/year
- Full Time
- Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)
RemoteTraining and Development Specialist
NavaSalary not specified
RemoteVP Product Group Technology Leader
Pacific LifeSalary not specified
- Full Time
- Expert & Leadership (9+ years)
RemoteSenior Data Scientist
AngiSalary not specified
- Full Time
- Senior (5 to 8 years)
RemoteProcess Controls Engineer
OkloSalary not specified
- Full Time
- Junior (1 to 2 years)
RemoteComposite Design Technician, Sr.
AeroVironmentSalary not specified
- Full Time
- Junior (1 to 2 years)
RemoteTechnical Support Specialist
SkioSalary not specified
- Full Time
- Junior (1 to 2 years)
RemotePrincipal Scientist, Biocompatibility
GE HealthcareSalary not specified
RemoteRF Signal Processing Specialist-Geospatial
Muon SpaceSalary not specified
- Full Time
- Junior (1 to 2 years)
RemoteSenior Systems Development Engineer
SymboticSalary not specified
- Full Time
- Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)
RemoteFuel Performance Engineer
OkloSalary not specified
- Full Time
- Junior (1 to 2 years)