R&d Scientist

Role details

Job Title: R&D Scientist – Waterborne Paints and Coatings

Job Description

This role focuses on formulating innovative waterborne paints and coatings for consumer use and managing projects from initial concept through laboratory development to full commercialization. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, lead technical activities, and mentor other chemists while ensuring products meet real-world consumer needs and sustainability considerations.

Responsibilities

• Formulate waterborne paints and coatings for consumer applications, including architectural and light industrial products such as roofing and direct-to-metal coatings.
• Develop waterborne coating formulations from scratch, selecting appropriate raw materials and optimizing performance for DIY and consumer use.
• Manage formulation projects end-to-end, from concept development through lab work, scale-up, and commercialization.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, and other functions to successfully scale formulations from the laboratory into full production.
• Serve as a technical lead for chemists and junior team members, providing guidance on formulation processes, project execution, and problem solving.
• Tutor and mentor junior chemists to build their technical capabilities and support their growth on projects.
• Ensure all products are formulated, tested, and positioned for true consumer use, with attention to performance, usability, and market expectations.
• Drive project execution by setting technical direction, tracking progress, and ensuring timely completion of development milestones.
• Contribute to marketing-related aspects of new products, helping to bring formulations to market and see them on store shelves.
• Incorporate sustainability considerations into formulations and product development where applicable.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in formulation of waterborne paints and coatings for consumer applications.
• Hands-on experience developing waterborne coating formulations from scratch.
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects from conception through laboratory development to manufacturing scale-up and commercialization.
• Strong project management and project execution skills within a technical environment.
• Experience serving as a technical lead, guiding chemists and junior staff without direct supervisory responsibility.
• In-depth knowledge of waterborne technologies and chemistries relevant to architectural and light industrial coatings.
• Technical leadership capabilities, including problem-solving skills and a competitive, results-driven mindset.
• Experience working with consumer products and understanding performance requirements for DIY and end-user applications.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, manufacturing, and other cross-functional teams.
• Solid background in formulation chemistry and coatings science.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with solventborne coatings in addition to waterborne technologies.
• Knowledge of architectural coatings and consumer-focused coating products.
• Familiarity with acrylic, epoxy, urethane, polyaspartic, and siloxane chemistries.
• Experience with one-component (1K) coating systems.
• Interest in sustainability and incorporating sustainable practices into product development.
• Demonstrated technical leadership in multi-disciplinary or multi-business unit environments.

Work Environment

This position is primarily based in an office and laboratory setting, working closely with a team of chemists across multiple business units. The role operates on a first-shift schedule, Monday through Friday, with less than 10% travel expected. You will collaborate regularly with engineering, manufacturing, and other functions to support scale-up and commercialization activities in a modern coatings development environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Pleasant Prairie, WI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $130000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

This company offers health insurance, vision insurance, 401k match, and an assortment of other benefits including paid vacation, paid holiday, etc.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Pleasant Prairie,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.