Lead R&D Engineer/Scientist
About the role
The Lead Advanced R&D Engineer/Scientist will provide technical leadership in the development of next-generation refrigerants and thermal management solutions for Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC) and Electric Vehicle (EV) heat pump applications. This role combines refrigerant development, experimental research, system simulation, and industry engagement to accelerate the commercialization of environmentally sustainable refrigerant technologies. The individual will lead efforts ranging from refrigerant screening and qualification through system optimization, validation, and market adoption. Solstice Advanced Materials is a leading global specialty materials company that advances science for smarter outcomes, offering high‑performance solutions for refrigerants, semiconductor manufacturing, data center cooling, nuclear power, protective fibers, healthcare packaging, and more, with over 3,000 customers in 120+ countries and approximately 4,000 employees worldwide.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and execution of experimental programs to evaluate refrigerants, thermal systems, and key components, including heat exchangers, compressors, expansion devices, and ancillary system components.
- Develop and apply advanced simulation and modeling tools to analyze refrigeration and heat pump system performance for MAC and EV applications.
- Drive technical strategies and research roadmaps supporting the development and commercialization of new refrigerant technologies.
- Work closely with teams to generate high-quality data and validate modeling predictions through experimental testing.
- Lead root-cause investigations and solve complex thermal system, refrigerant performance, and application challenges.
- Interpret complex scientific and engineering data and effectively communicate findings to internal leadership, customers, and external stakeholders.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and scientists.
- Collaborate effectively across R&D, Regulatory Affairs, Marketing, and Business teams in a global matrix organization.
- Interface directly with automotive OEMs, suppliers, industry associations, and customers to support technology development and adoption.
- Represent the company in industry working groups and standards organizations, such as active participation in SAE committees and technical forums.
- Contribute to intellectual property generation through invention disclosures, patents, publications, and technical presentations.
- Ensure all activities are