Sr. R&D Scientist
Job in
White City, Jackson County, Oregon, 97503, USA
Listed on 2026-06-02
Listing for:
NIC Industries Inc
Full Time
position Listed on 2026-06-02
Job specializations:
-
Engineering
Materials Engineer, Process Engineer, Research Scientist, Quality Engineering -
Research/Development
Research Scientist
Job Description & How to Apply Below
Position Summary
NIC is seeking an experienced Sr. R&D Scientist to lead execution of high-performance coatings and advanced material development programs from concept through qualification, scale-up, and commercialization support. This is a balanced hands-on and program-driving role. You will perform experimental work, direct technician-supported lab execution, and build the technical body of evidence needed to advance projects through phase-gate review. You'll work closely with the Director of R&D and cross-functional partners in manufacturing, quality, EH&S, supply chain, and sales to deliver products that exceed performance, cost, timeline, and operational requirements.
Why Join NIC
- Be part of a best-in-class organization and R&D team commercializing products that outperform the competition on this planet and beyond.
- Own rapid 0-to-1 development of high-impact solutions.
- Work in a high-standard environment where evidence drives decisions and accountability is valued.
- Build your career in the beautiful Rogue Valley with good work-life balance and excellent compensation.
- Lead execution of coating formulation and materials development programs using NIC core technologies in a world class lab, assisted by cutting edge software tools and a world-class characterization suite.
- Drive projects from concept through lab validation, phase-gate review, qualification, scale-up, manufacturing implementation, and early commercialization support.
- Design experimental plans to solve formulation, materials, and process challenges.
- Perform hands-on laboratory work, including formulation, application, testing, and data interpretation.
- Direct and leverage technician support for sample preparation, testing, data collection, and lab throughput.
- Build the technical body of evidence used to assess readiness for program progression.
- Help define milestones, maintain project timelines, and drive cross-functional follow-through.
- Prepare technical updates, gate-review content, and supporting documentation for development decisions.
- Partner with manufacturing and process engineering to ensure products are scalable, repeatable, and practical for production.
- Identify technical, manufacturability, quality, safety, cost, and timeline risks early and drive mitigation plans.
- Support supplier and vendor qualification, material evaluations, and commercialization activities.
- Support raw material selection, cost-performance optimization, and SDS-related technical inputs.
- Incorporate regulatory and product stewardship inputs into development planning and phase-gate progression.
- Help refine laboratory methods, development workflows, and technical best practices.
- Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of relevant industry experience in coatings formulation, coatings development, materials development, process development, or related chemical product development.
- Demonstrated success leading technical development work in an industrial R&D environment.
- Strong knowledge of coating chemistry, formulation design, cure mechanisms, pigment and filler interactions, and performance-property relationships.
- Strong understanding of formulation and process engineering and the realities of scaling products from lab to manufacturing.
- Experience with scale-up, plant trials, production implementation, qualification, or manufacturing troubleshooting.
- Experience driving projects through a phase-gate, stage-gate, or similar structured development process.
- Experience preparing technical evidence packages, milestone updates, and gate-review materials.
- Experience coordinating work across technicians, manufacturing, suppliers, vendors, or other cross-functional stakeholders.
- Ability to design experiments, interpret data, and solve technical problems with limited oversight.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organization, prioritization, and documentation habits.
- Ability to work on site.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States and meet applicable export-control requirements, including qualification as a U.S. Person.
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