Lead Chemist, Kenai Defense

Role details

About Kenai Defense

*U.S. Citizenship is Required for this Position*

Kenai Defense is a U.S. defense contractor based in Woods Cross, Utah. We partner with the U.S. Air Force, Army, other government organizations, academic institutions, and industry partners to develop, test, optimize, and transition advanced technologies for defense applications. Our work spans materials development, prototyping, testing, and scale-up, with an emphasis on practical technologies that improve U.S. defense capabilities and support the warfighter.

Position Summary

Kenai Defense is seeking a Lead Chemist to support multiple research and development programs involving advanced materials, coatings, functional inks, and nanomaterials. The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on laboratory experience and the ability to solve formulation and materials-processing problems in a fast-moving R&D environment.

We do not expect one candidate to be an expert in every technical area. We are looking for a Ph.D.-level chemist or chemical engineer with deep capability in one or more relevant areas and the scientific breadth to contribute across multidisciplinary projects as needed.

Key Responsibilities

Candidates with strong experience in several areas listed below are encouraged to apply, with broader relevant experience considered an advantage.

• Lead and perform experimental work for the development, optimization, and scale-up of advanced material formulations.

• Develop and optimize dispersions, suspensions, coatings, and/or functional inks containing particles, polymers, conductive materials, or other functional additives.

• Evaluate and improve formulation stability, including particle dispersion, agglomeration control, settling, compatibility, shelf life, and repeatability.

• Measure, control, and tailor rheological properties such as viscosity, flow behavior, thixotropy, leveling, and print/coating processability.

• Select and evaluate solvents, binders, surfactants, dispersants, rheology modifiers, and other formulation components based on material compatibility and performance requirements.

• Design experiments to determine relationships between composition, processing conditions, microstructure, and final material performance.

• Support development and characterization of functional materials with optical, electrical, electrochemical, thermal, or electromagnetic properties.

• Support synthesis, growth, processing, purification, functionalization, or scale-up of carbon nanotubes and other nanomaterials, as applicable to assigned projects.

• Use appropriate analytical and materials-characterization techniques to diagnose problems, compare formulations, and guide development decisions.

• Translate bench-scale formulations and processes into reliable, repeatable procedures suitable for larger-scale prototype or production activities.

• Maintain clear experimental records, analyze data, prepare technical reports, and communicate conclusions and recommendations to project teams.

• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, project managers, academic partners, and government customers on multidisciplinary R&D programs.

• Contribute to technical proposals, invention disclosures/patent activities, presentations, and new technology concepts when needed.

• Follow appropriate laboratory safety, chemical handling, documentation, and quality practices.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

Required Skills:

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team is essential. Candidates should be able to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain a strong sense of urgency in a fast-paced research and development environment.

• Strong quantitative problem-solving and data-analysis skills.

• Ability to learn unfamiliar materials systems and develop practical experimental approaches quickly.

• Proficiency with common technical software and Microsoft Excel and Word.

• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, and teamwork skills.

Strong capabilities in at least one of the following areas is required, with additional relevant skills and experience viewed favorably.

• Strong wet-lab and experimental design skills, with the ability to independently plan, execute, troubleshoot, and document R&D work.

• Strong understanding of formulation chemistry, materials chemistry, colloid/interface science, polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related field.

• Experience with dispersion and stabilization of particulate or nanoscale additives in liquid formulations.

• Experience measuring and modifying viscosity and other rheological properties for coatings, inks, slurries, pastes, or similar materials.

• Understanding of interactions among particles, binders, solvents, surfactants/dispersants, and functional additives.

• Ability to relate formulation composition and processing conditions to material properties and end-use performance.

• Working knowledge of materials characterization techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, SEM/EDS, XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, particle-size analysis, zeta potential, rheometry, profilometry, electrochemical methods, or similar techniques. Expertise in every listed method is not required.

• Experience with nanomaterial synthesis, processing, functionalization, purification, or scale-up is strongly valued.

Education and Experience

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a closely related technical field. Chemistry or Chemical Engineering is preferred.

• Demonstrated hands-on research experience developing or optimizing chemical or materials formulations.

• Experience in one or more of the following is preferred: coatings or inks; colloids and dispersions; rheology; functional materials; electrochemistry; polymer systems; carbon nanotubes or other nanomaterials; materials synthesis and processing.

• Experience moving a material or process from laboratory development toward larger-scale production or prototype manufacturing is preferred.

• Experience working on government, defense, university, or externally funded R&D programs is helpful but not required.

• Prior leadership or technical project ownership experience is preferred.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $100,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a criminal record?
• Do you currently reside in the United States of America?
• Are you a citizen of the United State of America (U.S.A. Citizenship is required for this position)?
• Do you have a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a closely related technical field (Chemistry or Chemical Engineering is preferred)

Work Location: In person