Senior Polymer Chemist

Role details

Location: North Charleston, South Carolina

• Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates. *

The Senior Polymer Chemist will lead the development, formulation, and optimization of elastomeric materials used in electrical safety products, including insulating gloves and sleeves. This role will serve as a technical leader across R&D and manufacturing, driving innovation in low dielectric, high-performance rubber systems while ensuring compliance with applicable safety and performance standards. This role will also play a critical role in bridging material science, process engineering, and product performance, with a strong focus on scalable formulations, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

This is an onsite position in North Charleston, SC.

Job Responsibilities

Formulation & Material Development

• Lead formulation of elastomer compounds using materials such as, Natural Rubber (NR), Bromo butyl / Butyl Rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomers
• Optimize formulations for dielectric strength / electrical insulation performance, mechanical durability (tensile, elongation, tear resistance) and environmental resistance (ozone, heat, moisture, chemicals)
• Evaluate additives including curatives, accelerators, plasticizers, fillers, and stabilizers

Process & Manufacturing Integration

• Partner with manufacturing teams to scale formulations from lab to production
• Support mixing, calendaring, dipping, and curing processes
• Troubleshoot processing issues (e.g., viscosity control, dispersion, cure kinetics)
• Drive continuous improvement in yield, scrap reduction, and cycle times

Product Performance & Compliance

• Ensure materials meet applicable industry standards (e.g., ASTM, IEC for electrical PPE)
• Lead testing protocols for dielectric breakdown, aging, and physical properties
• Support certification and audit processes related to safety compliance

Technical Leadership

• Act as a subject matter expert for elastomer chemistry across the organization
• Mentor junior chemists and lab technicians
• Interface with suppliers to evaluate new raw materials and technologies
• Provide technical input to product development, sourcing, and quality teams

Innovation & Strategy

• Identify opportunities for next-generation materials (e.g., improved flexibility, lighter weight, enhanced dielectric properties)
• Stay current on advancements in polymer science and electrical insulation materials
• Support IP development, where applicable

Requirements

• Five or more years of experience and a Master's degree or a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field, with deep experience in elastomer formulation and development.
• Prior experience with rubber compounding and curing systems (sulfur, peroxide, etc.)
• Prior experience with dielectric or insulating material applications
• Strong understanding of Structure-property relationships in elastomers and rheology, cure kinetics, and compound processing with elastomeric materials
• Experience with lab instrumentation (e.g., MDR, DSC, TGA, tensile testing, dielectric testing)
• Experience supporting manufacturing scale-up