Coatings Chemist II

CPS, Inc.; Walled Lake (MI); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

PTO

401(k)

Job summary

CPS, Inc. is seeking an experienced Formulation Chemist to join its established R&D team in Michigan.

You will own projects from concept through commercialization, developing water- and solvent-based coating formulations for a wide range of industrial applications in a hands-on lab. With a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and 15+ years in R&D formulation for coatings, you will analyze materials, design experiments, scale to manufacturing, document results, and collaborate across functions in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field.
• 15+ years in R&D formulation experience with water-based and/or solvent-based coatings.
• Hands-on coatings formulation experience.
• Analytical laboratory experience including FTIR.
• Excellent laboratory documentation, organization, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with QMS, DOE methodologies, and SPC.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Self-starter with ownership and accountability.
• Adaptable to changing priorities and fast-paced environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize water- and solvent-based coating formulations to meet product performance requirements.
• Formulate new products and improve existing formulations for various coating applications.
• Analyze technical challenges and determine appropriate methods and experimental approaches.
• Evaluate raw materials including polymers, additives, solvents, and other components.
• Conduct feasibility studies, proof-of-concept work, and product development research.
• Scale formulations from laboratory development through manufacturing and commercialization.
• Establish testing methods and evaluate properties (chemical, physical, performance, stability).
• Interpret test data and provide technical recommendations.
• Prepare product samples for customer evaluation and approval.
• Support cost reduction initiatives and continuous product improvements.
• Research emerging technologies, competitive products, and industry trends.
• Provide technical support during scale-up and production.
• Prepare detailed technical reports documenting procedures, results, and conclusions.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, testing instruments, chemical inventory, and supplies.
• Assist with equipment selection and purchasing.
• Support SDS management and regulatory documentation.
• Follow safety procedures and maintain organized work environment.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and participate in LEAN initiatives.

Skills

Coatings formulation

Water-based/solvent-based coatings

Analytical methods

FTIR analysis

Project management

Documentation & reporting

Cross-functional collaboration

LEAN / process improvement

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or related field

Tools

FTIR spectrometer

QMS

DOE methods

SPC

Job description

Base Salary: $80,000-$120,000

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, PTO, and 401(k)

Join an established R&D team developing innovative water- and solvent-based coating formulations for a wide range of industrial applications. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced formulation chemist who enjoys owning projects from concept through commercialization while working independently in a hands‑on laboratory environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize water- and solvent-based coating formulations to meet product performance requirements.
• Formulate new products and improve existing formulations for a variety of coating applications.
• Analyze technical challenges and determine appropriate methods and experimental approaches.
• Evaluate raw materials, including polymers, additives, solvents, and other coating components.
• Conduct feasibility studies, proof-of-concept work, and product development research.
• Scale formulations from laboratory development through manufacturing and commercialization.
• Establish testing methods and evaluate chemical, physical, performance, and stability properties.
• Interpret test data and provide technical recommendations.
• Prepare product samples for customer evaluation and approval.
• Support cost reduction initiatives and continuous product improvements.
• Research emerging technologies, competitive products, and industry trends.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting during scale‑up and production.
• Prepare detailed technical reports documenting procedures, results, and conclusions.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, testing instruments, chemical inventory, and laboratory supplies.
• Assist with laboratory equipment selection and purchasing.
• Support SDS management and regulatory documentation.
• Follow laboratory and plant safety procedures while maintaining an organized work environment.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams and participate in continuous improvement and LEAN initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related scientific field.
• 15+ years of R&D formulation experience with water-based and/or solvent-based coatings (candidates with 5-10 years of strong formulation experience may also be considered).
• Hands‑on coatings formulation experience.
• Analytical laboratory experience, including FTIR.
• Excellent laboratory documentation, organization, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with QMS, DOE methodologies, and SPC.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• Self‑starter with a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a fast‑paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Polymer chemistry experience.
• Experience with 1K and 2K coating systems.
• Experience evaluating or purchasing laboratory equipment.
• Experience supporting product scale‑up and commercialization.
• Commutable to Walled Lake, Michigan.