Senior Polymer Chemist

Job Responsibilities

• Formulate and optimize elastomer compounds using materials like Natural Rubber, Bromo butyl, and EPDM.
• Evaluate additives such as curatives, accelerators, plasticizers, fillers, and stabilizers.
• Partner with manufacturing teams to scale formulations from lab to production.
• Troubleshoot processing issues related to viscosity control, dispersion, and cure kinetics.
• Drive continuous improvement in yield, scrap reduction, and cycle times.
• Ensure materials meet applicable industry standards (ASTM, IEC for electrical PPE).
• Lead testing protocols for dielectric breakdown, aging, and physical properties.
• Support certification and audit processes related to safety compliance.
• Act as a subject matter expert for elastomer chemistry across the organization.
• Mentor junior chemists and lab technicians.
• Interface with suppliers to evaluate new raw materials and technologies.
• Provide technical input to product development, sourcing, and quality teams.
• Identify opportunities for next-generation materials and advancements in polymer science.
• Support intellectual property development, where applicable.

Requirements

• Five or more years of experience and a Master's degree or a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field.
• Deep experience in elastomer formulation and development.
• Prior experience with rubber compounding and curing systems (sulfur, peroxide, etc.).
• Strong understanding of structure-property relationships in elastomers and rheology, cure kinetics, and compound processing with elastomeric materials.
• Experience with lab instrumentation (MDR, DSC, TGA, tensile testing, dielectric testing).