Process Development Chemist

Process Development Chemist

Flexsys is the world's leading producer of high-quality rubber chemicals and solutions for the tire and rubber industry, including Crystex™ insoluble sulfur vulcanizing agents, Santoflex™ antidegradants, and Duralink™ HTS post-vulcanization stabilizers. With six manufacturing sites across four continents and a technical center in Akron, Ohio, we partner with tire and rubber manufacturers worldwide to make their products safer, longer-lasting, and higher-performing.

Our skilled scientists and R&D teams are committed to enhancing product performance and providing exceptional technical support.

We are seeking an experienced Process Development Chemist to join our Technology Group in Akron, Ohio. As an individual contributor reporting to the Technology Group Leader, you will lead the development, optimization, and scale-up of chemical processes from laboratory bench through pilot and full industrial-scale production. This role works closely with external contract research organizations (CROs) executing synthesis, process development, scale-up, and intellectual property development, serving as a key technical bridge between Flexsys R&D and our development partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize chemical processes across a broad range of chemistries, advancing them from lab scale through pilot scale to full industrial-scale production.
• Lead and execute scale-up and piloting campaigns, identifying and resolving technical challenges related to yield, purity, throughput, safety, and cost.
• Manage and collaborate closely with external contract research organizations (CROs) executing synthesis, process development, scale-up, and intellectual property development.
• Plan, direct, and review work performed by development partners to ensure technical quality, timeline adherence, and alignment with Flexsys objectives.
• Apply expertise in organic synthesis to develop robust, scalable, and cost-effective routes.
• Conduct process characterization, including reaction kinetics, mass and energy balances, and process safety evaluations.
• Ensure processes meet applicable regulatory requirements and support regulatory documentation and compliance.
• Develop and document process parameters, control strategies, and standard operating procedures for technology transfer.
• Support intellectual property development through invention disclosures and patent contributions.
• Apply Design of Experiments (DoE) and data-driven methods to optimize process performance.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline;
  PhD strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of industrial experience in process development and scale-up within the chemical, specialty chemical, or related manufacturing industry.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully scaling chemical processes from lab scale to industrial/commercial scale.
• Strong hands-on expertise in organic synthesis, ideally across a broad range of chemistries.
• Demonstrated experience in piloting and scale-up of chemical processes.
• Working knowledge of regulatory requirements relevant to chemical process development and manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of reaction chemistry, unit operations, and process safety; familiarity with process safety management (PSM), reaction calorimetry, and hazard analysis preferred.
• Prior experience managing or collaborating with contract research organizations (CROs) preferred.
• Experience in rubber chemicals, specialty chemicals, or organic synthesis at commercial scale preferred.
• Proficiency with Design of Experiments (DoE) and statistical analysis tools preferred.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present to technical and non-technical audiences.

Work Arrangement & Travel

This is a primarily on-site role based at our technical center in Akron, Ohio, with occasional travel to development partners.

An Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE): race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability