Development CHemist

Henpen Corporation; Johnson City (TN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance available

Annual bonus

Job summary

Henpen Corporation is seeking a Development Chemist to support R&D and commercialization of advanced battery separator technologies for lead-acid battery applications. You will develop next-generation materials and optimize manufacturing processes from lab scale to pilot and full production.

The role offers the chance to influence product development, manufacturing performance, and future technology initiatives within a growing organization.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or Materials Science or related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of product development experience involving polymers, porous membranes, separator technology, or related materials.
• Hands-on experience with extrusion, polymer processing, coating technologies.
• Experience with DOE, process optimization, and statistical problem-solving.
• Experience with SEM, DSC, TGA, porosimetry, tensile testing or similar laboratory equipment.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams supporting product commercialization and manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize new formulations for battery separator materials.
• Improve separator performance, durability, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments using Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Support process development involving extrusion, polymer processing, pore formation, extraction, and coating technologies.
• Evaluate separator properties including permeability, pore structure, mechanical strength, electrical resistance, wettability, oxidation stability, and overall product performance.
• Analyze materials using characterization techniques such as SEM, DSC, TGA, porosimetry, and related analytical methods.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, engineering, and operations teams to transition products from R&D into commercial production.
• Investigate manufacturing and formulation issues using structured problem-solving and root cause analysis.
• Prepare technical reports, operating procedures, and project documentation while presenting findings to internal stakeholders.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining safety and operational excellence.

Skills

5+ years product development

Polymer science

Materials characterization

DOE and statistical analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

BS or MS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or Materials Science

Tools

SEM

DSC

TGA

Porosimetry

Tensile testing

DOE software (Statistica/JMP)

Job description

Salary: $100,000–$120,000 + 20% Bonus
Relocation Assistance: Available
Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire

About the Opportunity

Our confidential manufacturing client is seeking an innovative Development Chemist to support the research, development, and commercialization of advanced battery separator technologies for lead-acid battery applications. This position offers the opportunity to develop next-generation materials, optimize manufacturing processes, and transition new products from laboratory development through pilot-scale and commercial production.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organization where your technical expertise will directly influence new product development, manufacturing performance, and future technology initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize new formulations for battery separator materials.
• Improve separator performance, durability, and manufacturing efficiency.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments using Design of Experiments (DOE).
• Support process development involving extrusion, polymer processing, pore formation, extraction, and coating technologies.
• Evaluate separator properties including permeability, pore structure, mechanical strength, electrical resistance, wettability, oxidation stability, and overall product performance.
• Analyze materials using characterization techniques such as SEM, DSC, TGA, porosimetry, and related analytical methods.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, engineering, and operations teams to successfully transition products from R&D into commercial production.
• Investigate manufacturing and formulation issues using structured problem-solving and root cause analysis.
• Prepare technical reports, operating procedures, and project documentation while presenting findings to internal stakeholders.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining a strong commitment to safety and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• BS or MS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• 5+ years of product development experience involving polymers, porous membranes, separator technology, specialty films, or related materials.
• Experience developing or working with one or more of the following:
• Polyethylene (PE) separators
• Porous membranes
• Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) materials
• Silica-filled rubber separators
• Autoclaved vulcanized rubber separators
• Lead-acid battery technologies (strongly preferred)
• Hands-on experience with extrusion, extraction, polymer processing, coating technologies, or other high-precision continuous manufacturing processes.
• Working knowledge of DOE, process optimization, and statistical problem-solving methodologies.
• Experience with analytical characterization techniques including SEM, DSC, TGA, porosimetry, tensile testing, or similar laboratory equipment.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams supporting product commercialization and manufacturing.

Preferred Industry Background

Experience from one or more of the following industries is highly desirable:

• Battery components
• Battery separators
• Polymer manufacturing
• Specialty films
• Advanced materials
• Continuous process manufacturing
• Engineered materials

Additional Requirements

• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card holder).
• Sponsorship is not available.
• Willingness to relocate if necessary.
• Occasional domestic and international travel.
• Relocation Assistance Available
• Excellent long-term career growth with a stable, expanding manufacturing organization.

If you have a background in polymer materials, battery separator technologies, specialty films, or other precision continuous manufacturing processes and are looking to make a significant technical impact, we encourage you to apply.