Lead R&D Chemist – Energetic Materials & Explosives

Lead R&D Chemist – Energetic Materials

Location: Galena, KS (Ideal for Those Who Love the Outdoors; Relocation Assistance is Available)

• Salary: Base + Profit Sharing + Benefits
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Holidays, PTO

Job Type: Full-Time

Typical Hours: 9/80 Schedule, Every Other Friday Off

Travel: Occasional Domestic Travel + Rare International Travel

Sponsorship is not available

Description

Our client, UTEC, a leader in the commercial energetic materials and explosives industry, is looking for a Lead R&D Chemist to drive development efforts and support the company’s continued growth. This role combines hands-on scientific expertise with technical leadership, team development, customer engagement, and strategic support across the business.

Responsibilities

• Lead research, development, and improvement of commercial formulations and related products involving energetic materials, explosives, and hazardous chemical systems
• Oversee a small team of scientists, technicians, and laboratory personnel
• Drive formulation development, testing, scale-up activities, and process optimization efforts
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, ATF, environmental, and laboratory safety regulations
• Collaborate with operations and technical personnel to execute customer projects
• Serve as a technical resource for customers; communicating findings, troubleshooting challenges, and identifying potential solutions
• Contribute to project planning, resource allocation, and laboratory priorities
• Drive innovation, and commercialization of new applications through customer engagement and technical partnerships

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or physics required
• 7+ years of experience with energetic materials or commercial explosives required
• Strong background with R&D and product development required
• Experience with formulation development, testing, scale-up, and process safety required
• Ability to obtain ATF Employee Possessor status required