Research Scientist

Uster Technologies, Inc. (a subsidiary of Toyota Industries Corporation ) is the leading high technology instrument manufacturer of products for quality measurement and certification for the textile industry . Uster consistently brings outstanding and innovative new products to the market, thanks to our dedicated global teams in US, Switzerland, Israel, China, Turkey, India, and Japan. We currently have the following position available at our Knoxville, TN location: Research Scientist Research, design, and build new opto-electrical and electro-mechanical sensor solutions to meet market requirements in the areas of textile quality and monitoring systems. Lead technical investigation of challenging problems relevant to textile and fiber materials. Design, build, and evaluate early‑stage prototype instrumentation to assess feasibility, performance, and technical risk. Become a subject matter expert in Uster's core technology platforms. Develop and implement numerical algorithms for data processing, analysis, and interpretation of experimental results. Plan and execute experiments, analyze results, document findings, and communicate conclusions clearly to internal stakeholders. Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, optical, firmware, and software engineers throughout the development and test lifecycle. Support maturation of research outputs toward product development through technical documentation, design reviews, and knowledge transfer. Required Qualifications Master's or PhD in Physics, Engineering, Materials Science, Applied Optics, or a closely related technical field. Industry experience required : minimum of 3 years in an industrial, commercial, or applied R&D environment developing scientific instruments, measurement systems, or experimental platforms. Demonstrated ability to balance scientific theory with hands‑on experimentation and prototype development. Strong analytical skills, including experience working directly with experimental or instrument‑generated datasets. Proficiency in scientific computing and data analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB, or equivalent). Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills, with experience presenting technical work to multidisciplinary audiences. Preferred Qualifications Experience with optical measurement systems. Experience applying machine learning and AI techniques to technical datasets obtained from scientific or industrial measurements systems. Experience transitioning research concepts from proof‑of‑concept to product‑ready development. Benefits include : flexible work hours , business casual environment, great work-life balance ; competitive salary plus incentive pay ; excellent 401(k) with company match; medical, dental and disability insurances; paid time off and holidays.

AA/EOE M/F/D/V

Job Type:

Full-time Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible schedule Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Application Question(s): Will you now, or in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status)?

Education:

Master's (Required)

Experience:

prototype development: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person