Coatings Chemist II
Job Description
Base Salary: $80,000–$120,000
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, PTO, and 401(k)
Join an established R&D team developing innovative water- and solvent-based coating formulations for a wide range of industrial applications. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced formulation chemist who enjoys owning projects from concept through commercialization while working independently in a hands-on laboratory environment.
Responsibilities
- Develop and optimize water- and solvent-based coating formulations to meet product performance requirements.
- Formulate new products and improve existing formulations for a variety of coating applications.
- Analyze technical challenges and determine appropriate methods and experimental approaches.
- Evaluate raw materials, including polymers, additives, solvents, and other coating components.
- Conduct feasibility studies, proof-of-concept work, and product development research.
- Scale formulations from laboratory development through manufacturing and commercialization.
- Establish testing methods and evaluate chemical, physical, performance, and stability properties.
- Interpret test data and provide technical recommendations.
- Prepare product samples for customer evaluation and approval.
- Support cost reduction initiatives and continuous product improvements.
- Research emerging technologies, competitive products, and industry trends.
- Provide technical support and troubleshooting during scale-up and production.
- Prepare detailed technical reports documenting procedures, results, and conclusions.
- Maintain laboratory equipment, testing instruments, chemical inventory, and laboratory supplies.
- Assist with laboratory equipment selection and purchasing.
- Support SDS management and regulatory documentation.
- Follow laboratory and plant safety procedures while maintaining an organized work environment.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and participate in continuous improvement and LEAN initiatives.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related scientific field.
- 15+ years of R&D formulation experience with water-based and/or solvent-based coatings (candidates with 5-10 years of strong formulation experience may also be considered).
- Hands-on coatings formulation experience.
- Analytical laboratory experience, including FTIR.
- Excellent laboratory documentation, organization, and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Familiarity with QMS, DOE methodologies, and SPC.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Self-starter with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Polymer chemistry experience.
- Experience with 1K and 2K coating systems.
- Experience evaluating or purchasing laboratory equipment.
- Experience supporting product scale-up and commercialization.
- Commutable to Walled Lake, Michigan.
If you'd like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Tory Mack at tmack@cps4jobs.com
JO: 7.31.26TM
#LI-TM1
Job Requirements
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related scientific field.
- 15+ years of R&D formulation experience with water-based and/or solvent-based coatings (candidates with 5-10 years of strong formulation experience may also be considered).
- Hands-on coatings formulation experience.
- Analytical laboratory experience, including FTIR.
- Excellent laboratory documentation, organization, and attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Familiarity with QMS, DOE methodologies, and SPC.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
- Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
- Self-starter with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
If you'd like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Tory Mack at tmack@cps4jobs.com
JO: 7.31.26TM
#LI-TM1
Meet Your Recruiter
Technical Recruiter
What I Do:
I am proud to be part of the CPS flagship division, Industrial Laboratory. Our company started in order to serve the industrial chemicals industry, one of the backbones of the U.S. economy, by bringing together talented technical specialists with the companies that need them. I recruit and place people in the following positions:
- Formulation/Product Development
- Organic and Polymer Synthesis
- Application Chemistry
- Technical Service
- Process Chemistry
- Analytical/Method Development
- Regulatory Compliance
- Quality Assurance/Quality Control
- Group Leader/R&D Manager
My Recruiting Philosophy:
When working with you as a candidate I have 3 goals:
Listen and ask questions to find out what the right opportunities look like for you
Connect you with active openings and interested companies based on your criteria
Educate you throughout the interview process to help you become a standout candidate for each individual opportunity
About Me:
I grew up in Southern Indiana and moved to the greater Chicago area 10 years ago. My education is in opera and music, so I enjoy anything and everything related to the arts! I love helping people through recruiting – I believe the right career move is one of the most important decisions a person can make and it is a privilege to be a part of that process.