R&D Scientist (Thermosink Electronic Materials)

Chase Corporation•Hickory, NC

About The Position

Chase Corporation is seeking a seasoned, proactive R&D Scientist to lead the development and commercialization of our Thermosink and associated thermal-coating product portfolio within our Electronic Coatings industry segment. This individual will be in an individual contributor role with support from technicians, coordinating internal R&D efforts that directly support product growth and innovation. The successful candidate will bring deep technical knowledge of polymer coatings and adhesives, spanning product inception, development, troubleshooting, and commercialization, as well as strong leadership and project management capabilities. This is a hands-on innovation and formulation role that requires frequent cross-functional collaboration with other R&D sites, Suppliers, Marketing, Operations, and Quality.

Requirements

Minimum 10 years of professional experience in formulations and product development, and new markets and applications identification, with at least 5 years in hands-on product development.
Knowledge of materials analysis, structure-property relationships, root cause, and other failure analysis methodologies
Knowledge of testing and evaluation techniques such as thermal analysis, FTIR, GC/MS, mechanical properties, rheological properties, with excellent data analysis skills to form solid conclusions
Fluency in using contemporary Office software as well as specialty programs for statistical analysis / DoE, such as Minitab
High degree of experience implementing stage-gate NPD processes and project management tools.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive innovation in a regulated manufacturing environment.
Willingness to travel up to 25% to support manufacturing, customer, and field trial activities.
B.S or higher degrees in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related discipline. Equivalent industry experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Strong background in electronic coatings, adhesives, and related solutions development is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

Leverage expertise in polyurethane, epoxy, silicones, acrylics, and hybrid chemistries for developing high-performance thermal management adhesives and coatings solutions within the targeted electronics market segment.
Collaborate with commercial teams along with technology-based thought leadership to identify product development opportunities and translate customer needs into actionable product development platforms.
Interact with customers and application development teams for commercializing developed solutions and maintaining technical business continuity.
Provide technical support to operations and quality teams across multiple manufacturing sites, including hands-on troubleshooting and scale-up guidance.
Ensure product compliance with ISO 9001 standards and support internal, external, and customer audits.
Promote and uphold safety protocols at all R&D and manufacturing sites.
Represent the Thermosink platform initiatives within the broader R&D function globally in thought exchange and functional meetings, including strategic planning and growth initiatives.
Be the internal voice representing the R&D function in potential M&A initiatives.
Track and report KPIs, project milestones, and resource utilization to senior leadership in an actionable format and set the course for future actions.
Serve as a collaborative partner across Chase business units to identify synergies, new applications, and share best practices.