R&D Material Development Chemist

Date posted:
Start date:
Location: 47690 E Anchor Court, Plymouth, Michigan 48170, US
Full/Part time: Full Time

• Design, formulate, and test elastomer and polymer compounds through hands-on work with mixing, molding, and processing equipment.
• Spend significant time in the lab physically running batches, adjusting formulations, and evaluating material performance in real time.
• Partner directly with manufacturing teams to troubleshoot molding and mixing issues on the floor, driving scrap reduction and process improvements.
• Lead multiple material development projects, taking ownership from formulation through production implementation.
• Apply DOE and practical problem-solving methods to refine compounds and resolve production challenges.
• Work with suppliers to evaluate new raw materials and bring new technologies into active testing and development.
• Maintain a safe, organized lab environment and ensure accurate documentation of experiments, results, and development plans.

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience in polymer, elastomer, rubber, or materials development (strong internships/co-ops considered).
• Demonstrated experience working directly with mixing, molding, extrusion, or similar processing equipment—not just theoretical or simulation-based work.
• Comfortable working in a lab and manufacturing environment, including standing, lifting, and actively running experiments.
• Experience with formulation and compounding, with an understanding of how materials behave during processing.
• Familiarity with DOE, Six Sigma, or structured problem-solving approaches.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate closely with operators, engineers, and technicians.