Chemist II

APOG; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness program

Job summary

Apogee in Pittsburgh is seeking a Chemist to support coatings development, focusing on energy-curable systems for wood and related substrates. The role includes formulation work, material selection, and detailed characterization to advance products and technical services.

The ideal candidate holds a BS in chemistry with 0–2 years’ experience, and is proficient in MS Office. Office and manufacturing floor environments are implied, with collaboration across departments and customer line trials.

Qualifications

• BS degree in chemistry or related science.
• 0–2 years’ experience preferred.
• Proficient with MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Support product development and quality control with formulation input.
• Perform formulation work and test results documentation.
• Research new technologies for coatings development.
• Conduct chemical testing and maintain lab notebooks.
• Assist with on‑site customer line trials.

Skills

Analytical skills

Team player

MS Office

Mathematical skills

Attention to detail

Education

BS in Chemistry

Job description

Position Summary

The Chemist is a vital team member responsible for a range of tasks. This full-time exempt position focuses on the wood, flooring, and energy curable system markets. Primarily, it provides technical solutions for energy curable products, air dry curing systems, and stains for the company's Research and Development Department. The role encompasses formulation work, raw material selection, and comprehensive characterization necessary for advancing the company's product line and technical services.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a team member for projects and provides professional technical support to product development, quality control, manufacturing processes, and technical service.
• Performs formulation work required to develop new products and reformulates existing products. Provides feedback, test results, and data regarding the formulation process and recommends modifications to formulas.
• Researches new technologies that apply to coatings development, maintains awareness of advancements in technology, and advises the company on impact and relevance.
• Conducts chemical testing procedures essential for new product development and interprets results. Maintains a lab notebook and related databases as a means of documenting and providing a written record of testing procedures and observations.
• Involved with supply chain issues to understand historical perspectives and decision‑making processes.
• Maintains a close working relationship with all company departments and their members.
• Supports on‑site customer line trials for assigned projects.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• BS degree in chemistry or related science, with preference in the coating development market.
• 0–2 years’ experience preferred.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of energy curable systems with emphasis on wood, vinyl, and metal substrates.
• Knowledge of water‑based air‑dry pigmented systems for wood applications.
• Ability to connect structure‑property relationships.
• Comfortable working as part of a team.
• Attends and participates in all company‑wide meetings, customer coating trials, lectures, and events.
• Excellent mathematical skills.
• Understanding of chemical tests and processes.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.

Work Environment

• Office and manufacturing floor setting.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Standing and working in a laboratory environment.
• Exposure to various chemicals and compounds.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability).
• Incentive plans.
• 401(k) with employer contribution and match.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match.
• Paid time off (vacation and sick time).
• Paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Wellness program.
• Training and career progression.

Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.