Product Development Chemist

Role details

Job Summary

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The Product Development Chemist is responsible for formulating, modifying and testing new, optimized, and current products in accordance with established procedures, regulations, guidelines and standards related to product performance, cost, manufacturability, and processing. Additional duties include troubleshooting, testing, and re-validating samples from customers or suppliers and providing solutions for potentially challenging applications.

The individual works within established R&D frameworks while partnering with Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Technical Services to support scale-up activities, troubleshoot technical issues, and maintain accurate documentation and testing records.

An important component of this position is exhibiting professionalism when representing the company at customer/supplier events such as sales calls, customer visits, and conferences.

Key Responsibilities

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• Proficient understanding of structure, property relationships of polyurea, polyurethane, or other complementary polymer systems and can employ creative approaches when formulating, modifying, or optimizing new or existing formulations to meet customer needs and expectations on a timely basis.

• Actively engages in training opportunities and industry conferences.
• Manage multiple active development, optimization, or improvement projects while balancing timelines, priorities, and technical requirements.

• Creates, develops, and tests formulas used in products, exercising professional judgment in the evaluation, selection, and modification of applied methods and techniques.
• Identifies and recommends improvements to processes to maintain quality, cost-effectiveness, safety compliance, and other parameters.
• Supports production scale up for new products.
• Operates and maintains testing equipment per ASTM methodology and ISO 17025 standards.

• Utilizes structured work order process to execute laboratory-based testing.
• Maintains documentation for each project assignment, analyzes data, and creates reports based on compliance with professional standards.
• Communicates findings clearly to team members, Senior Management, Sales, Tech Service, and Customers as required.
• Ensures compliance with environmental health and safety standards including the proper handling, storage, and disposal of chemical agents.

• Maintains knowledge of federal, state, local, and organizational best practices and environmental health and safety regulations.
• Maintain the lab according to safety and regulatory requirements by performing safety inspections and housekeeping tasks, including chemical labeling, and the orderly storage of raw materials used for formulation development.

Qualifications

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Education

Minimum Required

• Bachelor of Science degree

Preferred

• BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer and Material Science or equivalent
• Additional training or experience in applied formulation science, coating technologies, statistical analysis, or product development methods.

Experience

Minimum Required

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in an industrial chemical laboratory or 1-2 years in polyurethanes /polyureas
• Experience and expertise in sample testing and quality control, including knowledge of elastomers, resin systems, and isocyanates, plus experience with relevant standards (Titration, gel time, Tensile Strength, Tabor abrasion, Adhesion…)

Preferred

• 3+ years of experience in polyurea, polyurethane, polyaspartic, or hybrid coating systems.
• Experience supporting scale-up, manufacturing troubleshooting, raw material evaluations, or ISO-regulated documentation environments

Job Specific Skills

Minimum Required

• Task driven work ethic in a fast-paced environment and capable of changing direction quickly depending on outcomes.
• Able to assess complex situations and assemble a strategic path to achieve successful outcomes.
• Independently implement routine and research test methods with minor supervision.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Strong interpersonal skills and able to communicate at all organizational levels within the company.
• Capable of professionally representing Ultimate Linings at customer facing events.

Preferred

• N/A

Working Conditions

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The following working conditions are present or expected daily:

Normal laboratory R&D and applications development environment

• Normal office environment
• Travel may be required.
• Manual dexterity is required to use desktop computers and peripherals.
• Ability to wear a respirator required occasionally.
• Ability to handle full 5-gallon pails & drums of raw materials.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.