Product Development Chemist II

Product Development Chemist II

Long-Term Opportunity | Excellent Room for Growth | Offers Benefits

Job Description

The Product Chemist II develops and leads projects to identify and implement new technologies that deliver differentiated performance claims for lubricant, coolant, and grease products. This role champions a zero-incident safety culture by continuously improving laboratory methods and procedures and by rigorously following PPE requirements, safety protocols, and chemical hygiene plans. The PD Chemist II manages and mentors scientists and engineers, fostering technical excellence, strong collaboration, and ongoing professional development within the lab and across the organization.

Responsibilities

+ Develop and lead projects that identify and implement new technologies to enhance performance claims for lubricant, coolant, and grease products.

+ Promote and uphold a zero-incident safety culture by improving laboratory methods and procedures and strictly adhering to PPE requirements, safety protocols, and chemical hygiene plans.

+ Troubleshoot laboratory equipment within area of expertise with limited to no guidance, ensuring reliable and accurate test results.

+ Manage and mentor scientists, engineers, and other lab personnel, providing technical guidance, feedback, and support for their professional development.

+ Instruct colleagues on the use of JDE and the Raw Material Specification Database, and recommend improvements to processes and methodologies.

+ Provide cross-functional training and collaboration with Supply Chain, Blending, Marketing, and Distribution teams to support product development and quality initiatives.

+ Mentor team members on research approaches, discuss research results and reports, and help refine experimental designs and data interpretation.

+ Present data and findings to internal and external customers, supporting both new product lines and existing product portfolios.

+ Actively build strong internal relationships across departments by communicating openly and effectively and demonstrating a collaborative, positive attitude.

+ Participate in cross-functional internal teams and continuous improvement projects, contributing technical expertise and problem-solving skills.

+ Apply advanced knowledge of key product areas and selected product lines to run and troubleshoot laboratory tests effectively.

+ Utilize design of experiments (DOE), data interpretation, and strong time management to plan, execute, and analyze laboratory work.

+ Maintain intermediate knowledge of lubricant fundamentals, base oils, additives, lubricant testing, QA, used oil analysis, and condition monitoring, and apply this knowledge in daily work.

+ Participate as an active member in relevant industry organizations to stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends.

+ Periodically travel to other company locations and customer sites to act as a technical resource and support product or technology initiatives.

+ Support and reinforce a positive, outgoing, and team-oriented lab culture.

Essential Skills

+ B.S. or B.A. degree with emphasis in the sciences, with a preference for a degree in Chemistry.

+ 3-10 years of chemistry experience in a laboratory environment.

+ Advanced knowledge of key product areas and one to two product line areas related to lubricants, coolants, or greases.

+ Demonstrated ability to run and troubleshoot selected laboratory tests independently.

+ Proficiency in wet chemistry techniques, including titration and pipetting.

+

Experience with quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) practices in a laboratory setting.

+ Hands-on experience with laboratory measurements such as viscosity and related physical property testing.

+ Intermediate knowledge of lubricant fundamentals, including base oils, additives, lubricant testing, used oil analysis, and condition monitoring, or a closely related discipline.

+ Proven ability to design and execute experiments using design of experiments (DOE) principles and to interpret complex data sets.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+

Experience with ICP or ICP-MS instrumentation.

+ Experience in troubleshooting, maintenance, and calibration of…