Senior Chemist - Powder Coatings

Role details

Senior

Chemist - Powder Coatings & Product Development

Drive Innovation in Advanced Coatings Technology

Are you an experienced coatings chemist who enjoys solving complex formulation challenges and bringing new products from concept to commercialization?

We're seeking a

Senior

Chemist

to join a collaborative R&D team focused on developing next-generation powder coating technologies. This role offers the opportunity to lead technical projects, influence product strategy, solve customer challenges, and work directly with manufacturing to bring innovative coatings solutions to market.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in coatings, polymers, materials science, or formulation chemistry and will enjoy working cross-functionally with R&D, manufacturing, quality, sales, customers, and suppliers to develop high-performance products for demanding applications.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Lead high-impact product development projects from concept through commercialization

Work with advanced coating technologies, specialty pigments, and innovative raw materials

Influence product strategy and technical direction

Partner directly with customers to solve real-world application challenges

Collaborate with manufacturing teams to scale lab formulations into commercial products

Mentor junior scientists and contribute to a culture of technical excellence

Join a team where your technical expertise directly impacts business growth and product innovation

What You'll Do

Product Development & Formulation

• Develop and optimize coating formulations to meet performance, appearance, processing, and application requirements.
• Evaluate and select resins, curing agents, pigments, fillers, additives, and specialty raw materials.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments to support new product development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop formulations for specialty finishes, metallic appearances, and other advanced coating technologies.
• Translate customer requirements and market needs into practical product development strategies.

Technical Problem Solving

• Investigate formulation, processing, and performance-related challenges.
• Identify root causes and implement effective technical solutions.
• Evaluate relationships between formulation chemistry, processing conditions, application methods, and final product performance.
• Support troubleshooting efforts involving manufacturing processes and product quality issues.

Scale-Up & Commercialization

• Lead projects from laboratory development through pilot trials and commercial production.
• Ensure formulations are robust, reproducible, and scalable.
• Partner with manufacturing teams to optimize production efficiency and product consistency.
• Support process improvements and introduction of new technologies.

Testing & Performance Evaluation

• Conduct and oversee coating performance testing including:

• Adhesion
• Hardness
• Impact resistance
• Flexibility
• Chemical resistance
• Corrosion resistance
• Weathering durability
• Gloss and appearance evaluations
• Cure response testing

Collaboration & Leadership

• Serve as a technical resource for manufacturing, quality, sales, customer service, and operations teams.
• Work directly with customers and suppliers on product development and technical support initiatives.
• Present findings and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Mentor junior scientists and laboratory personnel.
• Maintain detailed records, technical documentation, and project reports.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in coatings, polymers, materials development, formulation chemistry, or a related field.
• Experience developing and optimizing chemical formulations.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to independently manage technical projects.
• Experience designing experiments, interpreting data, and making data-driven decisions.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience with powder coatings, industrial coatings, or protective coatings technologies.
• Knowledge of thermoset coating systems and related chemistries.
• Experience working with specialty pigments, metallic pigments, or appearance-enhancing additives.
• Familiarity with manufacturing processes including compounding, extrusion, milling, and scale-up activities.
• Knowledge of coating application methods and curing technologies.
• Experience supporting commercial product launches and technology transfers.
• Experience in customer-facing technical support or collaborative product development projects.
• Experience with accelerated weathering, corrosion testing, and advanced performance evaluations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Burlington, NC.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $120000.00/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.

Why Join Alamance Foods? What We Offer Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits (eligible the 1st of the month following 60 days) Life Insurance Dependent Care Spending Account (DCSA) Paid Time Off (PTO): 12 days annually Paid Holidays Career Growth and Advancement Opportunities Professional Development and Mentorship Supportive and Collaborative Team Environment Employee-focused culture with long-term stability

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Burlington, NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Burlington,NC.

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.