Principal Research & Development Engineer/Scientist – Electrochemistry

Role details

Job Description

The Principal R&D Engineer/Scientist serves as a technical leader and subject matter expert in electrochemistry, with a focus on metal refining, purification, and high-purity copper technologies. This role leads complex R&D programs from concept and feasibility through process development, scale-up, and implementation in manufacturing. Working across R&D, Engineering, Operations, Quality, Commercial, customers, and external partners, the position drives the development of new technologies, solves complex process and product challenges, and strengthens organizational technical capabilities.

The Principal Engineer/Scientist is expected to influence technology strategies, identify opportunities for innovation and process improvement, develop intellectual property, mentor technical teams, and deliver differentiated technologies that enhance product performance, manufacturing capability, and long-term competitiveness for Solstice’s PVD sputtering Targets business. This position reports directly to senior R&D manager, and will be located at our Spokane, WA.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Work with members of the R&D team, Commercial group, customers, and external partners to identify, define, and lead research and development projects focused on electrochemical processes, copper refining and metal recovery.
• Design and conduct laboratory, pilot-scale, and production-scale experiments to develop and optimize electrochemical processes including electrorefining, electrowinning, electroplating, and related technologies.
• Work closely with Process Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to scale and commercialize new electrochemical technologies ensuring seamless transfer to manufacturing.
• Contribute to detailed process designs, equipment specifications, operating procedures, and scale-up plans in coordination with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive improvements in product quality, process efficiency, yield, and cost competitiveness.
• Provide technical support to solve customer issues related to new and existing products.
• Establish or expand laboratory and pilot-scale capabilities for electrochemical testing, electrolyte characterization, impurity analysis, corrosion evaluation, and process monitoring.
• Apply advanced analytical and characterization techniques to understand material behavior, contamination sources, and process-performance relationships.
• Stay current on developments in electrochemistry, copper refining, hydrometallurgy, battery materials, and electronic materials manufacturing. Identify opportunities for innovation and process improvement.
• Collaborate with universities, national laboratories, equipment suppliers, and external partners to develop next-generation process technologies.
• Generate intellectual property through invention disclosures, patent applications, and technical publications.
• Mentor engineers and scientists while providing technical leadership across multiple projects and disciplines.

Qualifications

Must Have

• M.S. or Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of industrial R&D or manufacturing experience in electrochemical process development, metal refining, or related technologies.
• Strong fundamental knowledge and hands-on experience with electrochemistry, electrorefining, electrowinning, electroplating, electrolyte chemistry, and process optimization.
• Demonstrated experience designing, executing, and scaling experimental programs from laboratory to pilot and manufacturing environments.
• Experience with process troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and implementation of corrective actions in industrial operations.
• Strong analytical, statistical, and problem-solving skills.

We Value

• Direct experience with high-purity copper refining and purification technologies for semiconductors, electronics, or advanced materials applications.
• Expertise in impurity management, contamination control, and trace-metal analysis.
• Working knowledge of relevant analytical techniques including ICP-OES/MS, GDMS, spectroscopy, SEM/EDS, XRD, and other related analytical tools.
• Experience with process modeling, Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical process control, and data analytics.
• Experience commissioning and operating pilot-scale electrochemical systems.
• Demonstrated track record of patents, technical publications, and successful commercialization of new technologies.
• Strong project management, leadership, and communication skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive complex programs to completion.

Benefits Of Working For Solstice Advanced Materials

In addition to a competitive salary, leading-edge work, and developing solutions side-by-side with dedicated experts in their fields, Solstice Advanced Materials employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes employer-subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 12 Paid Holidays.

The annual base salary range for this position is $177,904k-$222,892K. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Solstice considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations. This position is incentive plan eligible

Solstice Advanced Materials is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status.

About Us

About Solstice Advanced Materials

Solstice Advanced Materials is a leading global specialty materials company that advances science for smarter outcomes. Solstice offers high-performance solutions that enable critical industries and applications, including refrigerants, semiconductor manufacturing, data center cooling, nuclear power, protective fibers, healthcare packaging and more. Solstice is recognized for developing next-generation materials through some of the industry's most renowned brands such as Solstice®, Genetron®, Aclar®, Spectra®, Fluka™, and Hydranal™.

Partnering with over 3,000 customers across more than 120 countries and territories and supported by a robust portfolio of over 5,700 patents, Solstice’s approximately 4,000 employees worldwide drive innovation in materials science. For more information, visit Advanced Materials .