R&D Manager: Epoxy Coatings (Marine and Industrial Flooring) and Spray Foam

About the role

Join the Gaco team, a trusted name in building envelope solutions with a heritage dating back to 1955.

What you'll accomplish

• Strategic Product Development: Define and execute the R&D roadmap for epoxy technologies (e.g., high-solids, solvent-free, fast-cure) to capture new market opportunities. This includes leading development and managing ongoing projects with polysiloxane, acrylics, epoxy primers, epoxy coatings, and spray foam.
• Team Leadership & Management: Lead, build up, mentor and manage a high-performing R&D team. Foster a culture of scientific excellence, project accountability, and rigorous adherence to safety protocols.
• Formulation & Process Expertise: Oversee the design, development, and scale-up of complex 2K epoxy formulations. This includes managing epoxy resins, amine/polyamide curing agents, fillers, and performance additives to achieve critical properties like abrasion resistance, impact strength, and chemical/saltwater immersion resistance.
• Product Lifecycle & Support: Ensure the long-term performance, cost-effectiveness, and quality of the existing commercialized product line. Provide expert technical support to Manufacturing, Sales, and Quality Control to resolve production issues or support key global accounts.
• Regulatory & Code Compliance: Act as the subject matter expert, ensuring all products are formulated to meet or exceed critical industry and marine specifications as well as US State specific regulations & restrictions

Qualifications

• Education: Master degree or PhD in Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, or Materials Science (with relevant experience).
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive R&D experience in the protective coatings, specialty chemicals, or industrial polymers industry.
• Mandatory Focus: Deep, hands-on formulation experience with 2K epoxy chemistries and acrylic chemistries is required. The ability to manage projects across polysiloxane, acrylics, epoxy primers, epoxy coatings, and spray foam technologies, are highly preferred.
• Industry Focus: Proven experience developing products for marine, industrial maintenance, protective, or flooring applications is essential.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to manage a technical team, lead complex projects from concept to commercialization, and solve challenging technical problems.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Retirement Savings: Choose from 401(k) pre-tax and/or Roth after-tax savings
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Medical, Dental, Disability and Life Insurance
• Holistic Health & Well-being programs
• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) & Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for health and dependent care
• Vision and other Voluntary benefits and discounts
• Paid time off & paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave (maternity & paternity)
• Educational Assistance Program

Pay

Competitive salary

Schedule

N/A