R&D- Staff Scientist (Industrial Wood)
About The Position
The Staff Scientist provides technical leadership and drives innovation within Sherwin-Williams’ Industrial Wood portfolio, primarily serving kitchen cabinet, furniture, flooring, and specialty markets while supporting Building Products and other company technical needs. The role develops, optimizes, and commercializes advanced coatings systems and serves as a technical resource for industrial customers. The position solves complex product and process challenges using expertise in chemistry, substrates, and testing. It delivers technical solutions across the division and enterprise, acts as a customer-facing technical expert, mentors colleagues, and promotes scientific rigor, continuous improvement, and customer-focused innovation. The Staff Scientist leads and contributes to projects from exploratory research and proof of concept through stage-gate development, commercialization, and service support. In partnership with Marketing and Sales, the role shapes the multi-generational product roadmap and supports timely launches aligned with business strategy. The work requires an understanding of product design, regulatory requirements, raw-material strategies, and regional and global technical initiatives. The position involves 20% travel. A criminal-history review is required, and the successful candidate must sign an Employee Restrictive Covenant Agreement where permitted by law.
Requirements
- Be legally authorized to work in the country of application without now or future sponsorship for an employment visa or permanent residence.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math field.
- 12 years of coatings-specific industry experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of coatings manufacturing and application processes.
- Ability to support projects through effective data analysis.
- Ability to use standard software applications, including Minitab, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Nice To Haves
- 10 or more years of OEM paint and coatings experience.
- 15 years of coatings-specific industry experience.
- Experience with solvent-based, water-based, and UV technologies for OEM applications; wood coating experience is a plus.
- Experience on customer application lines.
- Customer-facing technical leadership.
- DFSS or Lean Green Belt certification.
- Kepner-Tregoe (KT) training.
Responsibilities
- Lead technical development and maintenance of business activities for the Industrial Wood portfolio.
- Serve as a technical liaison to Marketing, supporting technology road mapping, competitive assessment, and customer-facing technical activities.
- Coordinate with internal Innovation teams to ensure visibility, alignment, and effective transition of new technologies.
- Lead or support global technology development, product development, and service projects through commercialization.
- Drive new and modified product introductions that address customer and industry needs.
- Independently identify, recommend, and lead strategic R&D initiatives.
- Collaborate across laboratories, disciplines, and stakeholders to deliver market-ready solutions.
- Influence customers and stakeholders through clear, persuasive technical communication.
- Improve efficiency by standardizing practices and eliminating redundant development across laboratories.
- Mentor and develop R&D team members.
Benefits
- A range of benefits related to retirement, health care, well-being, and commuting.
- Opportunities to learn, develop new skills, and grow professionally.
- Flexibility and resources to support health and well-being.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
