Position Summary
NIC is seeking an experienced Sr. R&D Scientist to lead execution of high-performance coatings and advanced material development programs from concept through qualification, scale-up, and commercialization support. This is a balanced hands-on and program-driving role. You will perform experimental work, direct technician-supported lab execution, and build the technical body of evidence needed to advance projects through phase-gate review. You'll work closely with the Director of R&D and cross-functional partners in manufacturing, quality, EH&S, supply chain, and sales to deliver products that exceed performance, cost, timeline, and operational requirements.
What You'll Do
- Lead execution of coating formulation and materials development programs using NIC core technologies in a world class lab, assisted by cutting edge software tools and a world-class characterization suite.
- Drive projects from concept through lab validation, phase-gate review, qualification, scale-up, manufacturing implementation, and early commercialization support.
- Design experimental plans to solve formulation, materials, and process challenges.
- Perform hands-on laboratory work, including formulation, application, testing, and data interpretation.
- Direct and leverage technician support for sample preparation, testing, data collection, and lab throughput.
- Build the technical body of evidence used to assess readiness for program progression.
- Help define milestones, maintain project timelines, and drive cross-functional follow-through.
- Prepare technical updates, gate-review content, and supporting documentation for development decisions.
- Partner with manufacturing and process engineering to ensure products are scalable, repeatable, and practical for production.
- Identify technical, manufacturability, quality, safety, cost, and timeline risks early and drive mitigation plans.
- Support supplier and vendor qualification, material evaluations, and commercialization activities.
- Support raw material selection, cost-performance optimization, and SDS-related technical inputs.
- Incorporate regulatory and product stewardship inputs into development planning and phase-gate progression.
- Help refine laboratory methods, development workflows, and technical best practices.
What We're Looking For
- Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of relevant industry experience in coatings formulation, coatings development, materials development, process development, or related chemical product development.
- Demonstrated success leading technical development work in an industrial R&D environment.
- Strong knowledge of coating chemistry, formulation design, cure mechanisms, pigment and filler interactions, and performance-property relationships.
- Strong understanding of formulation and process engineering and the realities of scaling products from lab to manufacturing.
- Experience with scale-up, plant trials, production implementation, qualification, or manufacturing troubleshooting.
- Experience driving projects through a phase-gate, stage-gate, or similar structured development process.
- Experience preparing technical evidence packages, milestone updates, and gate-review materials.
- Experience coordinating work across technicians, manufacturing, suppliers, vendors, or other cross-functional stakeholders.
- Ability to design experiments, interpret data, and solve technical problems with limited oversight.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organization, prioritization, and documentation habits.
- Ability to work on site.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States and meet applicable export-control requirements, including qualification as a U.S. Person.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with powder coatings, liquid coatings, protective coatings, specialty finishes, or other formulated industrial products.
- Experience directing or mentoring technicians, associates, or junior scientists.
- Experience with supplier qualification, raw material commercialization, or vendor management.
- Experience with analytical methods such as FTIR, DSC, TGA, GPC/SEC, rheology, particle size analysis, GC, HPLC, or microscopy.
- Experience using DOE, statistical analysis, validation, or manufacturing readiness activities.
- Experience with customer-facing technical support, field issue resolution, product stewardship, or SDS-support workflows.
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes, process controls, and quality systems.
We understand that outstanding candidates may not check all boxes, so applicants are encouraged to apply if they believe they can succeed in this role.
