Resin & Specialty Coatings Process Development Chemist
Job Description
Job DescriptionA day in this role
You start your morning walking the plant floor, checking batch KPIs and partnering with operators to set up safe, repeatable mixing and curing runs. Midday, you’re in the lab refining a pigment dispersion to hit viscosity and color uniformity targets. By afternoon, you’re scaling a promising pilot formulation to full production without compromising film performance, documenting updates to SOPs and batch records as you go. When an off-spec batch appears, you lead a quick root-cause investigation, implement corrective actions, and confirm compliance with OSHA, EPA, and REACH. It’s hands-on, collaborative work that connects laboratory innovation to dependable manufacturing at scale.
What you’ll own
- Process development and optimization
- Develop and refine coating formulation processes, including resin synthesis, pigment dispersion, and blending.
- Optimize batch parameters for viscosity, color consistency, drying time, and film performance.
- Scale up formulations from pilot to full production while maintaining integrity and performance.
- Remove bottlenecks to improve throughput, yield, and energy efficiency.
- Production and technical support
- Provide on-the-floor support during production runs and troubleshoot deviations.
- Coach operators to ensure safe, reproducible mixing and curing practices.
- Introduce new raw materials and process adjustments responsibly.
- Create and maintain SOPs and batch records.
- Quality assurance and compliance
- Ensure processes meet quality, adhesion, and chemical resistance standards.
- Support QC with analytical test method development.
- Lead root cause analysis for off-spec batches and drive corrective actions.
- Maintain EHS compliance (OSHA, EPA, REACH).
- Track KPIs, uphold QMS requirements, and maintain calibration and QA documentation.
- Deliver training on quality assurance programs.
- Continuous improvement and innovation
- Evaluate and implement new coating technologies and materials.
- Collaborate with R&D on formulation transfers.
- Lead or participate in Lean, Six Sigma, and other CI initiatives.
- Support new product introductions and SAP material setup.
What you’ll bring
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
- 3–5 years of experience in chemical coatings manufacturing.
- Deep understanding of polymer chemistry and coating rheology.
- Hands-on experience with process scale-up, dispersion technology, and polymerization reactions.
- Comfort with analytical tools such as viscometers, spectrophotometers, and gloss meters.
- Clear communication, strong problem-solving, and solid data analysis skills.
- A safety-first mindset with a focus on precision and continuous improvement.
Work environment
You’ll split your time between laboratory and plant-floor settings, following PPE and chemical safety standards. Expect a collaborative, fast-moving atmosphere with frequent hands-on process development.
Physical requirements: Standing, walking, stooping, and occasional lifting (up to 25 lbs).
Travel: None required.
Why HA International
Join a team advancing coatings technology with quality, sustainability, and continuous improvement at its core. Your work will make a measurable impact on the reliability and performance of advanced coating systems.
Apply today to help transform lab breakthroughs into manufacturing excellence.
Proficiencies
- Hazardous Materials
- Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
- Continuous Improvement
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Process Engineering
- Production Optimization
- Quality Control Experience
- Lean Manufacturing Principles
- Blending
- Six Sigma Experience
- Quality Control Data Analysis
- Experience in a Manufacturing Environment
- Root Cause Analysis
- Process Development