Scientist, Materials Engineer, Research Scientist

Our client needs a highly motivated and innovative Scientist to join their New Product Development team.

The Scientist will drive the development of battery separator technologies for lead‑acid batteries, focusing on improving performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

The Scientist will develop new formulations, optimize manufacturing processes, and validate product performance from the lab to pilot‑scale production.

The Scientist focus area’s Polyethylene (PE) separators, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) materials, Silica‑filled rubber separators, autoclaved vulcanized rubber separators. Prefer Lead‑acid systems Li‑Ion a plus.

• Lead the design and synthesis of new, high-performance battery separator materials (polyethylene, silica‑filled materials, and AGM) to meet emerging market needs.
• Optimize manufacturing processes including extrusion, pore formation, and coating technologies to enhance separator permeability, mechanical strength, and electrical resistance.
• Utilize Design of Experiments (DOE) to structure and execute comprehensive testing protocols to evaluate separator‑level attributes (surface chemistry, wettability, pore structure) and their impact on cell performance.
• Lead programs for incremental product and quality improvement using tools; DOE, problem‑solving tools such as root cause analysis and EVOP (evolutionary optimization).
• Collaborate with cell developers to integrate new separators into prototype cells, conducting abusive, electrochemical, and life‑cycle tests to validate improvements. Evaluate separator performance focusing on ER, acid displacement, dendrite suppression, and oxidation stability.
• Utilize advanced analytical equipment (FIB‑SEM, CT scanning, mercury porosimetry) to analyze material microstructure and failure mechanisms.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Manufacturing, Sales, Quality) to transfer new products from the laboratory into pilot‑scale and commercial production.
• Write detailed technical reports, SOPs, and conference materials (presentations, technical papers, etc.), and present research findings to stakeholders.
• Awareness of the patent landscape, ensure programs are safe to run to product fruition, where R&D lead to unique solutions, to file patents where appropriate to protect MP innovation and IP.
• Lead by example to promote a zero‑incident safety culture.
• Ensure strict adherence to safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, and increase efficiency.
• Encourage team‑driven ideas and implement practical, data‑driven solutions.
• Promote respect, inclusion, and engagement in a collaborative environment.

• BS degree required, advanced degree preferred;
  Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or related field.
• 5+ years in battery R&D focused on polymers, porous membranes, or separator technology.
• Experience with Polyethylene (PE) separators, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) materials, Silica‑filled rubber separators, autoclaved vulcanized rubber separators.
• Strong understanding of polymer physics, surface chemistry, and electrochemical transport mechanisms in porous materials.
• Hands‑on capability with extrusion, polymer compounding, and coating technologies.
• Expertise with material characterization tools: SEM, DSC, TGA, Porosimetry, Tensile testers, ICP.
• Familiarity with standard global battery testing methods (cycling, EIS, CV), working across American, European, and Asian systems as necessary.
• Experience using AI‑enhanced modeling and high‑throughput data analysis to accelerate component optimization is preferred.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, ability to work independently in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proven ability to manage NPD projects, and excellent technical communication skills.
• Travel domestically and internationally to internal plants, customers and conferences.