Principal Chemist

Principal Chemist | Shape the Future of Adhesive & Sealant Innovation

Location: Stillwater, MN Department: R&D Full-Time | Senior Leadership Role

Polywater is seeking an accomplished Principal Chemist to drive innovation and technical excellence across our portfolio of high-performance adhesives, sealants, lubricants, and specialty chemical systems.

In this pivotal role, you’ll provide both scientific leadership and strategic direction, working alongside a skilled team of chemists in developing next-generation materials that solve complex, real-world challenges in demanding applications. You’ll collaborate closely with executive leadership to define product roadmaps, shape R&D priorities, and champion innovation from concept to commercialization.

This is a rare opportunity for a senior-level chemist to have visible impact, broad autonomy, and a direct voice in shaping Polywater’s technical future.

• Contribute to R&D strategy and execution for adhesives, sealants, and related product lines, ensuring alignment with market needs and long-term business goals.
• Design and optimize formulations with a focus on adhesion science, polymer chemistry, and performance under challenging environmental conditions.
• Translate technical insights into business strategy
  , partnering with leadership to identify growth opportunities and competitive advantages.
• Oversee scale-up, testing, and validation to ensure product consistency, reliability, and compliance with regulatory and customer specifications.
• Advance analytical and performance testing capabilities within the lab; champion scientific rigor and continuous improvement.
• Mentor and develop technical staff
  , fostering innovation, collaboration, and professional growth within the R&D team.
• Represent Polywater externally as a technical authority in adhesives and sealants—engaging with customers, suppliers, and industry thought leaders.

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Polymer Science;
  Master's or Ph.D. is a plus
• 10+ years of progressive R&D experience in adhesives, sealants, or related polymer systems, with a proven record of successful product launches
• Deep expertise in formulation chemistry, adhesion mechanisms
  , and material performance optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects from concept through commercialization
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills; able to influence across technical and business teams
• Strategic thinker with a strong commercial orientation and a passion for innovation

At Polywater, innovation isn't just a goal - it's our identity. You'll join a respected, growth-oriented company known for technical excellence and integrity, where your work directly impacts performance, reliability, and customer trust in industries worldwide.

• Opportunities to define and lead strategic technical initiatives
• A collaborative environment with strong executive support for R&D innovation
• Competitive compensation and benefits commensurate with senior-level expertise.
• A culture that values curiosity, accountability, and scientific excellence.
• Medical insurance
• Vision coverage
• Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Stock ownership
• Quarterly profit sharing
• Paid time off and paid holidays

Polywater is also proud to be an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company. This means our team members are not just employees - they're employee-owners. Each year, eligible employees receive company stock at no cost to them. As the company grows and succeeds, so does each person's ESOP account value. It's a meaningful long-term wealth-building opportunity and reinforces our culture of shared success, teamwork, and pride in the work we do.

$140,000 - $200,000 DOE. Range includes base salary plus profit sharing.