Chemist

ITW; Danvers (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

ITW is seeking a Product Development Chemist in Danvers, MA to spearhead the creation, optimization, and scale-up of advanced adhesives for energy, transportation, and industrial markets. You will design polymer-based formulations, collaborate across teams, and help translate lab breakthroughs into scalable products.

The role demands hands-on lab work, strong communication, and a track record in commercial adhesive development, with opportunities to influence product strategy and IP generation.

Qualifications

• Must have advanced degrees in polymer chemistry or organic chemistry.
• Industrial R&D experience in product development is required.
• Strong hands-on formulation and problem-solving skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Develop new acrylic, polyurethane, and epoxy adhesive compositions for multiple markets.
• Scale up formulations from lab to commercial batches and manage technology transfer.
• Conduct patent searches and generate IP in the development area.
• Provide ongoing support to maintain product quality and performance.

Skills

Polymer chemistry

Adhesives formulation

Analytical testing

Team collaboration

Education

MS or PhD in Organic or Polymer Chemistry

Tools

DSC

TGA

Rheometer

Instron

Job description

Job Description:

SUMMARY

Our Research and Development team plays an important role in our business and product development success. As a Product Development Chemist, you will get to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, leveraging your entrepreneurial spirit, investigative abilities, and customer-relationship skills, to create great product development outcomes. This is an exciting opportunity to design, develop, and scale-up differentiated commercial products in a rapidly growing environment!

ITW’S BUSINESS MODEL & CULTURE:

• We have an environment shaped by our decentralized, entrepreneurial culture that brings our exciting ideas to life. Our people thrive in our “flexibility within the framework” approach.
• We are committed to providing you with growth and development opportunities that maximize your unique potential.
• Our culture empowers you to think and act like a business owner – we want your entrepreneurial spirit to thrive!
• Be a part of One ITW/One Team, where everyone’s contribution matters in our quest to achieve our full potential.
• Core Values:
• simplicity in how we think and execute.
• sharing risk.
• integrity and transparency, and constantly strive to do the right thing.
• respect diversity at every level of the company and consequently promote an open environment where innovations can emerge from our various backgrounds and experiences.
• trust our team members and are confident that they each work to the highest professional standards and in the company’s best interests.

YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS JOB IF YOU ENJOY/ARE GOOD AT…

• Are an entrepreneurial self-starter. You take initiative and ownership of your surroundings and constantly seek to find ways to improve.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment that keeps you on your toes – you love a good challenge and stay calm under pressure.
• Are resilient. You enjoy finding solutions to complex challenges and do so with poise and resolve.
• Love putting together the pieces of a puzzle and constantly seek to understand the whole picture.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop new acrylic, polyurethane, and epoxy adhesive compositions for the alternative energy, transportation, wear & abrasion, and general industrial markets.
• Innovate with polymers, catalysts, modifiers, and monomers in adhesives to fulfill unmet customer/application needs for developing differentiated products while complying with adopted ISO requirements.
• Manage technical aspects of assigned projects within ITW’s stage-gate process in conjunction with a project manager.
• Conduct patent searches to monitor competitive innovations and generate intellectual property in own area of development in the form of patents, formulation know-how, and trade secrets.
• Participate in the scale up of formulations from lab scale to mid- and full-size commercial batches. Coordinate and work with internal departments on the technology transfer for scale-up, commercialization, and determine the appropriate design and product specifications to maximize ease of manufacturing and customer application.
• Provide short- and long-term support for current products to maintain ITW’s reputation for quality and performance by qualifying alternative sources of raw materials and validating performance.
• Manage multiple projects/tasks independently and as part of a team and fully utilize analytical laboratory equipment.
• Work hands-on in the laboratory, when necessary, manage the daily activities of a research lab technician(s).
• Promote, support, and adhere to all safety, environmental, and quality policies and procedures.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• MS or PhD in Organic or Polymer Chemistry
• 4-10 years of industrial R&D experience in product development roles.
• Adhesives and coatings formulation experience strongly preferred.
• Strong computer, organizational, and destructive and mechanical testing skills are required. Fluency with Word, Excel, and Access. Experience with polymer testing equipment (DSC, TGA, Rheometer, Instron) highly preferred.
• Successful experience developing adhesives/coatings in a commercial setting.
• Must be willing to collaborate and work in teams to advance ideas and projects.
• Must possess excellent communication, organizational, analytical, and investigative skills.
• Must be a practical, hands-on chemist/scientist with excellent formulation skills and problem-solving ability.

Compensation Information:

The salary for this role is $110,000.00 - $125,000.00. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.