Product Development Scientist

New Product Development Scientist

Location:

Owatonna, MN

This position will be based out of Owatonna, MN manufacturing plant reporting to the Technical Director. NPD Scientist is responsible for overseeing and executing product development activities and providing technical support to internal and external stakeholders related to the Duraco Specialty Tapes & Liners business. This includes recommending, planning, prioritizing, and conducting experimental lab work, product prototyping and optimization, product testing, literature research, as well as data gathering, processing, and reporting.

NPD Scientist will also be responsible for maintaining relationships with key suppliers, new raw material qualifications, supporting secondary raw material qualifications, cost savings efforts, and working closely with other functional teams on NPD trial, scale‑up, and new product commercialization activities.

• Oversee and execute development and technical support for Duraco Specialty Tapes & Liners New Product Development (NPD) pipeline, with ability to deliver minimum 5 product launches per year
• Conduct required laboratory experimentation and testing, provide leadership in Silicone release coating formulation development, new release liner prototyping, materials design, process optimization, and product testing that aligns with Duraco Specialty Tapes & Liners site capabilities and strategic initiatives
• Provide technical assistance in related regulatory compliance matters related to Silicone release coatings and liner products
• Engage and collaborate with customers as well as Marketing and Sales Teams to identify key development opportunities and appropriately prioritize projects and initiatives
• Strong collaboration with Production, Quality, and other functional teams to ensure efficient product development, scale‑up, performance optimization, consistent quality, and successful commercialization
• Establishing and cultivating relationships with suppliers of key raw materials
• Provide technical leadership in support of cost‑savings initiatives including, but not limited to, alternate raw material identification, insource/outsource decisions, and Silicone release coating formulation enhancements for increased throughput and efficiencies
• Provide timely data processing, organizing, and reporting to superiors and functional teams, including generating and sharing ideas for NPD projects and opportunities
• Proactively identify and implement best safety practices in both laboratory and manufacturing settings
• Enhance NPD and Project Management processes and establishing improved IP protection practices
• Other duties as assigned

• Results driven and able to focus on, prioritize, and execute individual activities
• Curious and eager to learn – enjoys leveraging new knowledge to enhance current Silicone release coating chemistries, release liner constructions, and products
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent laboratory and analytical skills including FTIR, XRF, and basic Release Liner testing
• Comfortable working in a high‑pace manufacturing and laboratory environments, and navigating changing priorities
• Effective in engaging and collaborating with cross‑functional teams, including production floor supervisors, operators and QC technicians
• Outstanding personal integrity and ethics
• Understands and easily connects products, technologies, and capabilities across a diverse portfolio of customers and markets
• Demonstrated ability to work across different systems and adapt to new processes
• Strong planning and organizational skills and high degree of comfort working in and around production / manufacturing settings

• BS or MS in a Technical field; preferably Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Material Science, or Plastics Engineering with excellent hands‑on lab experience
• 3-5 Years of proven track record of developing new Silicone release coating formulations and paper and film release liner products
• Understanding and experience with PSAs and PSTC testing methods is desired to help complement release liner and Silicone coating formulation development
• Experience with development methodologies including project management, stage‑gate, ideation, Design of Experiments (DOE), IP management, and literature and patent research
• Good knowledge of additives, formulation processing, applications, and analytical test methods as they relate to the development of Si release coating formulations
• Experience in Silicone release coating and web handling processes is highly desirable
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office products with advanced experience in Excel and analytics programs (e.g., Minitab, JMP, etc.)

• Must be able to travel within the US
• 10‑15% Domestic Travel