Senior Chemist

Sika • Madison Heights, MI

2d

About The Position

Sika is seeking a Senior Chemist to apply technical knowledge and experience to develop innovative, proprietary products and new chemical concepts. The role proposes and conducts technology-creation projects, builds fundamental understanding of raw material properties, and transfers new products and technologies to production. The Senior Chemist manages projects from idea proposal through product release, evaluates competitive technologies, raw materials, and processes, and works across functions and with customers and suppliers. The position also applies advanced analytical methods and quality tools in project work.

Requirements

• BS, MS, or PhD degree in General Sciences.
• At least 7 years of experience with thermoplastics and thermosets in the automotive OEM market.
• Excellent oral communication, technical writing, and presentation skills.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or equivalent.
• Experience with DOE, Design FMEA, and other quality programs.
• Proven track record of introducing new chemical concepts into formulation work.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience in hotmelt chemistry.

Responsibilities

• Develop ideas for innovative and proprietary products using technical competence and past experience.
• Find and apply literature, introducing new chemical concepts into work.
• Propose and conduct technology-creation projects to create new building blocks.
• Transfer new products and technologies to production.
• Evaluate competitive technologies, new raw materials, and new processes.
• Manage assigned projects from idea proposal through product release.
• Review idea proposals and perform feasibility studies according to the PCP process.
• Conduct systematic experimentation using DOE and other statistical methods to evaluate data.
• Apply IATF and Six Sigma quality tools in cross-functional work.
• Conduct experiments to identify BMAP and FMEA criteria and countermeasures for new products.
• Contact raw material suppliers and identify potential new materials or technologies for Sika.
• Lead customer interactions, negotiate specification-testing criteria, and obtain material approval.
• Visit assembly plants and provide technical solutions to customers.
• Use patent literature in project work and publish research proposals and field-test proposals.
• Identify equipment needed for new programs and execute RPA.
• Recommend and champion solutions, products, and formulations.
• Apply and interpret advanced analytical methods, including rheology and spectroscopy, in project work.

Benefits

• 401(k) with generous company match
• Bonuses
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid parental leave
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Floating holidays
• Paid volunteer time
• Wellness/fitness reimbursements
• Education assistance
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee referral program

What This Job Offers

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