R&D Scientist- Powder

Sherwin-Williams • Minneapolis, MN

5d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking an innovative and highly technical scientist to lead the development and commercialization of advanced powder coating technologies for high-speed continuous Coil Coating applications. This role will serve as the organization's subject matter expert in powder coating chemistry and processing, driving research, formulation development, scale-up, and manufacturing integration of next-generation powder coating systems. The successful candidate will combine deep technical expertise in polymer and coating science with strong project leadership skills to establish technology roadmaps, advance product innovation, and collaborate across R&D, manufacturing, engineering, and commercial teams to deliver sustainable, high-performance coating solutions. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of coil technologies while building global technical capability and supporting long-term business growth. Job duties include contact with other employees and access to confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s staff, employees, and business relationships. This position is also eligible for bonus commissions based on performance and subject to the terms of the Company’s applicable plans.

Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the country for which you are applying for employment (without now or in the future needing sponsorship for employment work visa and/or permanent residence status)
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have a bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (“STEM”) field
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in a powder coating laboratory environment, including formulation, processing, characterization, and performance testing of thermoset and thermoplastic powder coatings
• 5+ years of progressive, technical experience in the coatings industry, encompassing formulation development, process optimization, and troubleshooting with continuous manufacturing settings
• Demonstrated hands-on experience in a powder coating laboratory environment, including formulation, processing, characterization, and performance testing of thermoset and thermoplastic powder coatings
• Comprehensive understanding of materials science principles, particularly the correlation between molecular structure, processing parameters, and resultant film properties such as adhesion, durability, corrosion resistance, and mechanical performance
• Familiarity with analytical techniques for powder coatings (e.g., differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, rheology, and spectroscopy) and their application in quality assurance and failure analysis

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Coatings Technology, or a closely related scientific discipline, with advanced coursework and research focused on polymeric coating systems, surface interactions, and film formation mechanisms
• A minimum of 5 years of cumulative technical experience in powder coating formulation and field application, including the development, optimization, and scale-up of thermoset and thermoplastic powder coatings for industrial coil substrates
• Proficient understanding of industrial powder coating application technologies, such as electrostatic spray, fluidized bed, and tribo-charging systems, with practical knowledge of process parameters and their impact on coating performance in high-throughput manufacturing environments
• Solid foundational knowledge of coil coating processes, including substrate pretreatment, continuous coating application, curing kinetics, and in-line quality control methods tailored for steel and aluminum coils
• Demonstrated experience in transitioning products from laboratory-scale development through pilot trials and into full-scale manufacturing, including direct interface with customer lines for process validation and troubleshooting
• Extensive hands-on experience with corporate Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) protocols, including the authorship of detailed work instructions, execution of Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) reviews, and implementation of risk mitigation strategies in laboratory and production settings
• Advanced competency in Lean Six Sigma (LSS) and Design of Experiments (DOE) methodologies, with a track record of utilizing statistical process control and data-driven optimization to enhance formulation robustness, reduce process variability, and improve product quality
• Proven leadership experience managing technical teams, including mentoring, project management, and cross-functional collaboration to achieve performance, safety, and innovation objectives within R&D and manufacturing environments

Responsibilities

• Lead the research, design, and development of advanced powder coating systems specifically engineered for high-speed continuous coating lines, with a focus on optimizing performance, durability, and process efficiency in industrial manufacturing environments.
• Formulate and implement innovative strategies to advance thin-film powder coating technologies, including the selection and modification of resins, additives, and curing agents to achieve targeted film properties, improved application efficiency, and development of cure methods.
• Develop comprehensive technology roadmaps to guide the commercialization of this technology, outlining milestones for scale-up, validation, regulatory compliance, and integration with existing coating lines.
• Serve as the subject matter expert in powder chemistry and powder processing, providing technical leadership in the formulation, processing, and troubleshooting of powder coatings, and supporting cross-functional teams in the resolution of complex material handling, manufacturing and application challenges.
• Build and maintain global technical expertise in coil coatings utilizing powder coating technologies by staying current with emerging trends, participating in industry conferences, and collaborating with international research and development teams.
• Establish and standardize best practices, testing protocols, and quality assurance procedures for powder-coated coil products, including the development and validation of performance tests for adhesion, corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, and aesthetic quality.
• Establish best practices for manufacturing powder coatings designed for coil line applications by working collaboratively with cross functional teams focused on designing an efficient and cost-effective production methodology including identification of any resourcing or equipment demands outside of current day capabilities.

Benefits

• health benefits, such as medical, dental and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• disability coverage
• security, retirement and saving benefits
• a generous time away from work package, including personal leave, paid parental leave, medical leave, vacation, and holidays

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior