Lead Industrial Chemist

WSP • Redmond, WA

8h

About The Position

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Industrial Chemist for our Redmond, WA or Tigard, OR offices or other locations in the Pacific Northwest. We solve complex industrial and environmental chemistry problems—organic transformations, degradation pathways, high strength industrial wastewaters, PFAS/emerging contaminants, and legacy chemical manufacturing impacts. As a Lead Industrial Chemist, you’ll shape strategy, crack difficult chemistry questions, guide investigations, and bring clarity to clients and regulators who depend on robust technical direction.
Your Impact
Chemical Process & Transformation Expertise
Interpret complex chemical interactions in industrial materials, soil, groundwater, wastewater, mixed waste, and treatment systems (e.g., fate & transformation of herbicides, chlorinated phenols, dioxins, solvents, byproducts).
Project Leadership
Direct multi-disciplinary teams (engineering, hydrogeology, toxicology, process design) across industrial, chemical manufacturing, transportation, energy, and federal portfolios.
Data-Driven Decision Support
Review analytical chemistry data, evaluate degradation products, perform reaction pathway interpretation, assess treatability implications, and define defensible conceptual chemical models.
Innovation in Characterization & Treatment
Develop and review treatability approaches, process chemistry controls, advanced analytical strategies (e.g., PFAS method 1633a), and emerging contaminant management techniques.
Client Advisory & Regulatory Engagement
Translate chemistry into action: communicate limitations, risks, uncertainties, and practical paths forward to clients, regulators, labs, and partners.
Technical Leadership & Mentorship
Grow a strong chemistry bench—review work, train early career chemists, set quality standards, and build internal competency in industrial and environmental chemistry.

Requirements

• 10–15+ years in applied industrial, environmental, or analytical chemistry with demonstrated leadership.
• Expertise in organic reaction chemistry, environmental transformations, industrial wastewater chemistry, or degradation mechanisms of environmental contaminants.
• Ability to interpret complex datasets and guide investigations using defensible chemical reasoning.
• Strong grasp of analytical methods, QA/QC, data validation, and lab to field integration.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships.
• Excellent technical writing and communication—clarity with regulators, clients, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Advanced degree (MS/PhD) in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related field; PE/CHMM/CEAC a plus.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting remediation of pesticide/herbicide manufacturing sites, chemical waste sites, or mixed industrial sources (e.g., chlorophenols, dioxins, phenols, PFAS).
• Experience with industrial process optimization or treatment design.
• Forensics, source allocation, isotopic or advanced analytical techniques.

Responsibilities

• Interpret complex chemical interactions in industrial materials, soil, groundwater, wastewater, mixed waste, and treatment systems (e.g., fate & transformation of herbicides, chlorinated phenols, dioxins, solvents, byproducts).
• Direct multi-disciplinary teams (engineering, hydrogeology, toxicology, process design) across industrial, chemical manufacturing, transportation, energy, and federal portfolios.
• Review analytical chemistry data, evaluate degradation products, perform reaction pathway interpretation, assess treatability implications, and define defensible conceptual chemical models.
• Develop and review treatability approaches, process chemistry controls, advanced analytical strategies (e.g., PFAS method 1633a), and emerging contaminant management techniques.
• Translate chemistry into action: communicate limitations, risks, uncertainties, and practical paths forward to clients, regulators, labs, and partners.
• Grow a strong chemistry bench—review work, train early career chemists, set quality standards, and build internal competency in industrial and environmental chemistry.

Benefits

• WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees