Senior Formulation Chemist

Role details

Company Description

Denso Inc., a subsidiary of Winn & Coales International, develops and manufactures corrosion-protection solutions for oil & gas, marine, industrial, and infrastructure applications. Technologies include liquid epoxies, petrolatum tapes and mastics, viscoelastic materials, primers, repair compounds, and other polymer systems.

Role Description

The Junior Formulation Chemist is a hands-on laboratory role supporting formulation, testing, evaluation, and development of epoxy, polyurethane, vinyl ester, polyester, viscoelastic, petrolatum-based, adhesive, sealant, grout, composite-repair, and other polymer technologies. The position works with Technical, R&D, Quality, Production, and Sales & Marketing and is designed to build technical independence and project ownership.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, modify, and evaluate formulations, raw materials, test specimens, coated panels, wraps, compounds, and other laboratory samples.

• Perform application, physical, mechanical, chemical, electrochemical, corrosion, and environmental testing to project requirements and applicable standards.

• Operate, maintain, and support calibration of laboratory equipment, including rheometers, FTIR, GC, DSC/TGA/DMA, EIS, tensile equipment, viscometers, ovens, corrosion chambers, and QUV weathering testers.

• Collect, analyze, interpret, and accurately document experimental data, observations, photographs, calculations, and conclusions.

• Support product development, reformulation, raw-material qualification, benchmarking, scale-up, production troubleshooting, and product improvement.

• Investigate formulation, processing, curing, adhesion, application, and performance issues and help identify practical technical solutions.

• Prepare clear technical reports, test summaries, presentations, emails, and other project documentation.

• Maintain equipment, project files, laboratory records, samples, and work areas in a clean, safe, organized, and traceable condition.

• Follow laboratory procedures, safety requirements, and applicable ASTM, ISO, AMPP/NACE, CSA, AWWA, ASME, customer, and internal requirements.

• Promptly communicate deviations, abnormal results, equipment issues, and safety concerns to the appropriate supervisor.

• Collaborate with R&D, Technical, Quality, Production, Sales & Marketing, suppliers, customers, and external laboratories as required.

• Take ownership of assigned work, follow tasks through completion, and perform other reasonable laboratory, technical, production-support, documentation, equipment, or project duties assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.

• Basic understanding of polymer chemistry and structure-property relationships.

• Laboratory, formulation, coatings, or materials-testing experience preferred.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, hands-on technical environment.

• Strong commitment to safety, equipment care, housekeeping, documentation, and confidentiality.

• Must meet applicable U.S. work authorization requirements.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• This is a hands-on position requiring regular laboratory and physical work, including mixing, sample preparation, coating application, testing, equipment setup, cleaning, and material handling.

• Ability to lift, carry, and move materials weighing up to 50 lbs.

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and perform laboratory or production-support activities for extended periods.

• Ability to safely handle chemicals and wear required PPE, including safety glasses, gloves, protective clothing, and safety footwear.

• Work may occur in laboratory, production, warehouse, and outdoor testing environments. Essential functions must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Pathway to Senior Chemist

Progression is based on demonstrated technical competency, independence, project ownership, problem-solving, communication, and leadership. Key development areas include:

• Build proficiency across Denso polymer technologies and understand formulation-to-performance relationships.

• Become proficient in analytical and performance-testing methods and apply data to technical decisions.

• Independently develop or improve products and manage projects from concept through qualification and commercialization.

• Troubleshoot formulation, manufacturing, and application issues and identify practical improvements.

• Mentor team members, plan technical work, communicate results, and stay current with polymer science, corrosion protection, and industry standards.

*This job description describes the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities that may be required.*

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• What analytical or physical testing methods (e.g., tensile strength, lap shear, hardness, viscosity, gel time, DSC, FTIR) are you familiar with?
• Describe a time in the lab when an experiment or a formulation didn't perform as expected (e.g., premature gelling, poor adhesion, phase separation). How did you investigate the root cause, and what did you modify?
• How do you approach setting quality control (QC) specifications for a newly developed adhesive or grout to ensure consistency from batch to batch?
• This role is designed to build technical independence. Can you share an example of a project or lab assignment where you were given a high-level goal and had to design the experimental plan with minimal supervision?
• How do you maintain your laboratory notebook and document your data? How do you ensure your findings are easily understood by team members who might review them months later?
• You will be handling potentially hazardous monomers, catalysts, and resins. Describe your approach to chemical safety, reading SDS (Safety Data Sheets), and maintaining a clean, compliant laboratory environment.

Location:

• Houston, TX 77095 (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Houston, TX 77095 (Required)

Work Location: In person