PVC Chemist

Level: Experienced,

Job Location:

20219 NORTHLINE RD - TAYLOR, MI, Position Type:
Full Time, Education Level: 4 Year Degree, Salary Range:
Undisclosed, Job Category:
Automotive, Position Summary

The PVC Chemist develops, improves, and supports PVC plastisol products for the automotive industry, including underbody coatings, seam sealers, anti-chip coatings, and sound deadeners. The role also supports water-based coatings and rubber-based adhesives and sealants. It covers formulation, testing, scale-up, OEM approvals, and technical support for customers and production.

• Formulates and optimizes PVC plastisols for automotive underbody coatings, seam sealers, anti-chip coatings, and sound deadeners.
• Selects and balances PVC resins, plasticize rs (including non‑phthalate alternatives), fillers, stabilizers, adhesion promoters, and rheology modifiers.
• Controls viscosity, sag resistance, and pumpability for robotic and airless spray application.
• Designs formulations for proper gelation and fusion within OEM paint-shop oven bake windows, including adhesion over e‑coat and oily metal.

• Formulates water‑based coatings, including sound deadeners and underbody materials.
• Formulates rubber‑based adhesives and sealants.

• Runs routine and investigative testing, including viscosity and rheology, gel and fusion behavior, adhesion, chip resistance, corrosion and salt spray, and heat and cold aging.
• Tests products to automotive OEM specifications and manages the approval process with OEMs.
• Applies and interprets standard scientific theories, concepts, and techniques.

• Finds and qualifies alternative raw materials, including plasticizer and resin substitutions.
• Scales up new and modified formulations from lab to production.
• Troubleshoots production and customer issues, such as viscosity drift, poor gelation, blistering, and adhesion failures.

• Ensures formulations comply with applicable regulations and customer requirements, including DOT, TSCA, REACH, Prop 65, OEM restricted‑substance lists, and IMDS reporting.

• Writes technical reports and prepares and presents project reports to customers and project sponsors.
• Participates in trade shows, conferences, and technical seminars.
• Guides and mentors less experienced technical staff.
• Works with technical staff, sales, business managers, and the outside technical community.
• Maintains a lab notebook according to company standards.
• All other duties as assigned.

• BS or MS in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• 5–15 years of lab experience, including hands‑on formulation of PVC plastisols, sealants, or coatings.
• Automotive OEM experience preferred, including working to OEM specifications and approval processes.
• Knowledge of plasticizer chemistry and related regulatory trends preferred.
• Lean Manufacturing experience.
• Excel required; QAD or other ERP system experience preferred.

• Prolonged periods of standing, walking, sitting at a desk, and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to [15 / 50] pounds.
• Works in a laboratory and production environment with exposure to chemicals, fumes, and heated equipment.
• Must wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow lab safety procedures.