Lead Scientist II

About the Role

Join Qnity, a global leader in materials and solutions for advanced electronics and high-tech industries, and help power the next leap in electronics. This role combines deep scientific expertise with leadership in people, projects, and portfolio management to drive innovation from concept through commercialization. You will lead a team focused on advanced thermal interface materials (TIMs), EMI materials, and emerging thermal and EMI solutions for AI datacenters, advanced packaging, automotive electronics, telecommunications, and high-performance computing applications.

Responsibilities

• Technology Leadership
  • Define and execute technology roadmaps aligned with business strategy and customer needs.
  • Lead development of next-generation thermal management materials, including TIM1, TIM1.5, TIM2, liquid metal systems, phase change materials, lid seals, and adjacent technologies.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies, competitive landscapes, and intellectual property opportunities.
  • Drive innovation through invention disclosures, patents, publications, and strategic collaborations.
  • Serve as a technical authority for customers, business leaders, sales teams, and executive stakeholders.
• Team Leadership & People Development
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of scientists, engineers, and technologists.
  • Establish technical priorities, resource allocation, and project staffing plans.
  • Foster a culture of innovation, scientific rigor, collaboration, and accountability.
  • Support recruitment, succession planning, and technical career development.
  • Build strong cross-functional relationships across R&D, Operations, Product Management, Marketing, Quality, and Manufacturing.
• Product & Project Leadership
  • Lead strategic product development programs from concept through commercialization.
  • Drive stage-gate execution, technical risk reduction, and development planning.
  • Coordinate global project activities across multiple sites and disciplines.
  • Ensure projects meet technical, timing, cost, quality, and customer objectives.
  • Partner with PMO and business stakeholders to prioritize resources and maximize return on innovation investments.
• Customer & Market Engagement
  • Engage directly with key customers to understand system-level challenges and future technology needs.
  • Support design-in activities, technical reviews, and strategic customer engagements.
  • Translate application requirements into differentiated technology and product solutions.
  • Represent the company at industry conferences, consortiums, and technical forums.
• Operational Excellence
  • Establish best practices for experimentation, characterization, data analysis, and documentation.
  • Drive continuous improvement in laboratory capabilities and technology development processes.
  • Support manufacturing scale-up, technology transfer, and commercialization efforts.
  • Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Required
  • Bachelor’s degree required; master’s or Ph.D. preferred in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related technical field.
  • 10+ years of industrial R&D experience in advanced materials or thermal management technologies.
  • Demonstrated success leading complex technology development programs.
  • Experience managing scientists, engineers, or cross-functional technical teams.
  • Strong understanding of product development, commercialization, and manufacturing scale-up.
  • Proven record of innovation, patents, product launches, or significant technical contributions.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Preferred
  • Expertise in thermal interface materials, liquid metals, phase change materials, advanced polymer composites, fillers, or semiconductor packaging materials.
  • Knowledge of EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) materials is a plus.
  • Experience supporting AI/datacenter, semiconductor, telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, or electronics markets.
  • Knowledge of thermal modeling, reliability testing, and advanced characterization techniques.
  • Experience managing global teams and multi-site development programs.
  • MBA or formal project/program management training is a plus.

Success Measures

In the first 12-24 months, the successful candidate will:

• Deliver high-impact technology platforms that support strategic growth objectives.
• Build and develop a high-performing technical team.
• Accelerate commercialization of advanced thermal solutions.
• Generate meaningful intellectual property and competitive differentiation.
• Improve project execution, resource utilization, and cross-functional alignment.
• Strengthen customer engagement and technical credibility within key markets.

Ideal Candidate Profile

A recognized technical leader who can operate simultaneously as a scientist, innovator, people leader, and business partner. Someone capable of leading a technology platform, managing multiple scientists, engaging executive leadership and customers, and translating long-term technology strategy into commercial success.

Location: On-site in Cleveland, OH.