Materials Technician / Scientist
R&D Group · Full-Time · Victoria, BC
ROLE OVERVIEW
Department R&D
Reports To Materials Science Manager (Madisen MacFarlane)
Location In-office — 965 Alston Street, Victoria BC V9A 3S5
Employment Type Full-Time, Permanent
Compensation Annual Salary Range:$55,000 - $65,000 CAD
*Commensurate with education and experience — Engineer, Scientist or Technologist level considered
ABOUT XLYNX MATERIALS
XLYNX Materials is a Victoria-based advanced materials company developing diazirine-based crosslinkers
that serve as adhesion promoters and crosslinking agents across polymers, adhesives, coatings, photoresists, and microelectronics applications. Our clients span semiconductor packaging, specialty chemicals, aerospace, renewable energy, consumer goods, and medical devices. We are a small, high-output team of 12, and every person on it shapes the direction of the company.
POSITION SUMMARY
We are looking for a hands-on, detail-oriented Materials Engineer or Scientist to join our R&D group. This role is the operational backbone of our testing program — owning day-to-day mechanical and adhesion testing, supporting standard operating procedure (SOP) development, and mentoring co-op students as they cycle through the lab.
You will report directly to the Materials Science Manager and work closely with the broader XLYNX team. The role is designed for someone who is equally comfortable running laps around the bench and sitting down to document a test protocol clearly. You do not need to arrive with XLYNX-specific chemistry knowledge — we will train you on our products and methods. What we need is a strong foundational background in materials characterization and a work ethic that takes ownership seriously.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
Testing & Lab Operations
- Execute mechanical and adhesion tests (lap shear, peel, tensile, and related) across a range of substrate materials and environmental conditions
- Perform material characterization analysis (thickness, composition, rheology, microscopy, etc.)
- Prepare test specimens, manage sample tracking, and maintain accurate test records
- Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot lab equipment; flag calibration or service needs proactively
- Support validation of new test methods and optimization of existing testing parameters
- Ensure lab cleanliness, safety compliance, and materials inventory are consistently maintained
Documentation & Data Management
- Draft, refine, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for recurring test methods
- Record and organize test data in a clear, retrievable format consistent with XLYNX's data management systems
- Assist with generating test reports and data summaries for internal review and client-facing use
- Contribute to continuous improvement of data quality and traceability across the testing program
Co-op Supervision & Team Support
- Act as day-to-day supervisor and technical resource for co-op students assigned to the R&D group
- Onboard co-ops to lab procedures, safety requirements, and testing protocols
- Review co-op work product, provide technical feedback, and escalate issues to the Materials Science
Manager as needed
- Support the Materials Science Manager across testing, documentation, and project execution as workload demands
Project Ownership & Reporting
As you develop familiarity with XLYNX's products, methods, and clients, you will be expected to take on increasing ownership of discrete projects from start to finish. This includes:
- Planning test scopes and timelines for assigned internal R&D or client-facing projects
- Executing projects independently, coordinating resources and managing competing priorities
- Maintaining thorough documentation throughout — from planning assumptions to raw data to method deviations
- Preparing clear written reports and summaries suitable for internal stakeholders or external client delivery
- Communicating project status, blockers, and outcomes to the Materials Science Manager
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor's degree or diploma in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related field
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy and test reproducibility
- Ability to follow and document technical procedures clearly and consistently
- Comfortable working independently in a small-team, fast-paced R&D environment
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Preferred
- Familiarity with polymer systems, adhesion science, surface chemistry, or coating and film technologies
- Hands-on experience with mechanical testing equipment and materials characterization techniques
- Experience with adhesion testing (lap shear, T-peel, 90°/180° peel) or familiarity with ASTM/ISO test
standards for adhesives or coatings
- Experience using Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies
- Experience writing or refining SOPs or test methods
- Prior experience mentoring junior team members or co-op students
- Familiarity with data management tools (spreadsheets, lab databases, or similar)
- 1–4 years of relevant industry or research lab experience (candidates at both junior and mid-career levels will be considered)
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE IN THIS ROLE
Within the first 90 days, you are running tests independently, maintaining accurate records, and contributing meaningfully to SOP documentation. Within 6 months, co-op students are receiving clear technical guidance from you and the Materials Science Manager is spending less time on the bench-level details of the testing program. Within a year, you have a strong grasp of XLYNX's product line and testing needs, and are proactively identifying ways to improve test throughput or data quality.
Looking further ahead, the expectation is that you grow into full ownership of discrete projects — internal R&D investigations and client-facing test programs alike. That means scoping the work, executing it, keeping it documented, and delivering a report that stands on its own. The timeline for this is tied to demonstrated readiness rather than tenure; we want to give you that responsibility as soon as you are ready for it.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
- In-office, full-time position — 7.5 hours/day, 37.5 hours/week
- Regular bench work in a chemistry/materials lab setting; PPE use is required
- Timesheet maintained of activities and hours
- Collaborative, small-team culture with direct access to leadership
BENEFITS
- Equity: Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) participation
- Vacation: 3 weeks after probationary period
- Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental package
- Flexible start and finish times
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, please send a resume and a brief cover letter describing your hands-on testing experience and why you are interested in XLYNX to:
[email protected]
We review applications on a rolling basis. We thank all applicants; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Pay: $55,000.00-$65,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Extended health care
Location:
- Victoria, BC V9A 3S5 (required)
Work Location: In person
