Research and Development Ink Chemist

HP • San Diego, CA

2d

About The Position

As an Ink R&D Chemist in HP’s Chemistry Center of Excellence Organization in San Diego, you will help develop and advance inks and fluids for inkjet and other printing solutions. The role involves working with diverse teams to solve technical challenges and develop products from concept through development and transfer to manufacturing.

The R&D Chemist designs and formulates inks, dispersions, and related chemical technologies using empirical design and modeling. The work combines formulation science, process development, scale-up, technical problem solving, and cross-functional leadership to deliver solutions that meet performance, quality, manufacturability, regulatory, cost, and supply requirements. It includes developing components and formulations to expand ink and printing-fluid attributes, optimizing inks for drop formation and printing processes, and collaborating with printer component designers on system-level changes and tradeoffs.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related field.
• Understanding of fundamental chemical mechanisms.
• Knowledge of formulation development and dispersion technology.
• Knowledge of pigment and dye chemistry.
• Knowledge of polymers in solution and organic and inorganic nanoparticle suspensions.
• Knowledge of interfacial and surface chemistry.
• Proficiency with appropriate analytical instruments and data interpretation.
• Wet chemistry or ink formulation experience.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills.
• Ability to creatively solve problems in a fast-paced product development environment.
• Ability to work and interact effectively, remotely as needed, with people across disciplines, projects, organizations, cultures, and companies.
• Demonstrated leadership, teamwork/interpersonal, communication, and technical skills.
• Resourcefulness, creativity, and flexibility.

Nice To Haves

• Programming skills.
• Familiarity with printing technology and color science.
• Formulation experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize ink, dispersion, and related formulations to meet product performance, quality, regulatory, manufacturability, cost, and supply objectives.
• Lead component development and technical projects from concept through product qualification and introduction.
• Participate in and lead cross-functional, pan-global teams.
• Apply expertise in formulation science, pigment and dye chemistry, polymers, colloidal systems, and surface chemistry to solve technical challenges.
• Design and execute experiments, analyze data, and translate findings into technical recommendations.
• Support print-system characterization, process development, manufacturing scale-up, technology transfer, and production readiness.
• Lead technical investigations and resolve formulation, process, quality, and manufacturing issues.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, regulatory, and supplier partners.
• Communicate technical progress, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders and management.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to project teams and fellow chemists.

Benefits

• Health insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Flexible spending account.
• Life insurance.
• Four to twelve weeks of fully paid parental leave based on tenure.
• Eleven paid holidays.
• Additional flexible paid vacation and sick leave.
• Bonus and/or equity opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time