R&D- Chemist II

Role details

Job Description

The Coil Coating Innovation R&D team is seeking a highly motivated Chemist II with a strong technical foundation in coating chemistry and demonstrated experience in formulation development, laboratory experimentation, and cross-functional collaboration. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of next-generation coil coating technologies, support maintenance-of-business (MOB) activities, evaluate emerging raw materials and technologies, and drive innovation initiatives aligned with customer and business needs.

This position requires a candidate who combines strong scientific rigor with excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills. The Chemist II will independently execute research projects, analyze technical challenges, develop innovative solutions, and effectively communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders.

Job duties include contact with other employees and access to confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s staff, employees, and business relationships.

This position is eligible for health benefits, such as medical, dental and vision coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), disability coverage, security, retirement and saving benefits. Additional benefits include a generous time away from work package, including personal leave, paid parental leave, medical leave, vacation, and holidays.

This position is also eligible for bonus based on performance and subject to the terms of the Company’s applicable plans.

This role is not remote/hybrid. This role will report to Sherwin-Williams Minneapolis R&D Lab, located at 312 11th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415.

10% Travel

Responsibilities

• Design, formulate, and evaluate high-performance coil coating systems for targeted market applications.
• Develop and optimize coating formulations to achieve desired performance, cost, sustainability, and manufacturing objectives.
• Evaluate new polymers, resins, pigments, additives, and other raw materials to support innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments, generate technical data, interpret results, and make scientifically sound recommendations.
• Function under limited supervision and be able to independently design experiments and write reports with limited review.
• Perform coating characterization, performance testing, and failure analysis using appropriate analytical and physical testing methods.
• Lead or contribute to innovation projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring milestones, timelines, and objectives are achieved.
• Create technical reports, presentations, and documentation to effectively communicate project progress and results.
• Communicates with other departments/functions and has a wide network of resources and knows who their resources are.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in laboratory operations, testing methodologies, and development processes.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive products, and regulatory developments affecting coil coatings.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure compliance with safety, security, environmental, and quality standards.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the country for which you are applying for employment (without now or in the future needing sponsorship for employment work visa and/or permanent residence status)
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering
• 3+ years of coatings specific formulation experience
• Experience with project management
• Familiarity with application and troubleshooting of industrial coatings
• Understanding of spectral measurement data
• Computer knowledge for basic inputting, communication, and data analysis
• Math knowledge
• Analytical chemistry and the ability to extend it beyond the realm of coatings
• Experience with Design of Experiment

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in a coating related research area
• Experience in urethane, epoxy, acrylic and their common curing technologies
• Prior experience in coating physical testing, weather exposure
• Prior knowledge in basic polymer physics, i.e., rheology, thermal.
• Expertise with structure-property relationship
• Proficient in statistics and data analysis

About Us

At Sherwin-Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent and passion make it possible to live this purpose, and for customers and our business to achieve great results. Sherwin-Williams is a place that takes its stability, growth and momentum and translates it to possibility for our people. Our people are behind the strength of our success, and we invest and support you in:

Life … with rewards, benefits and the flexibility to enhance your health and well-being

Career … with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and grow your contribution

Connection … with an inclusive team and commitment to our own and broader communities

It's all here for you... let's Create Your

Possible

At Sherwin-Williams, part of our mission is to help our employees and their families live healthier, save smarter and feel better. This starts with a wide range of world-class benefits designed for you. From retirement to health care, from total well-being to your daily commute—it matters to us. A general description of benefits offered can be found at http://www.myswbenefits.com/ . Click on “Candidates” to view benefit offerings that you may be eligible for if you are hired as a Sherwin-Williams employee.

Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and will impact where actual compensation may fall within the stated wage range. The wage range listed for this role takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed is accurate as of the date of this posting.

The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws including with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act where applicable.

Sherwin-Williams is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law or by contract.

As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Sherwin-Williams requests state and local employment services delivery systems to provide priority referral of Protected Veterans.

Please be aware, Sherwin-Williams recruiting team members will never request a candidate to provide a payment, ask for financial information, or sensitive personal information like national identification numbers, date of birth, or bank account numbers during the application process.