Formulation Chemist

Element Staffing Services; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

None

Job summary

Element Staffing is seeking a Formulation Chemist to join a specialty lubricant, grease, and sealant manufacturer in the North Houston, TX area. The role supports product formulation, quality control, and product development across industrial, automotive, and heavy‑duty lines.

You will develop and optimize lubricant formulations, evaluate additives, troubleshoot production issues, and collaborate with manufacturing to meet customer specs.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of lubricant formulation, additive chemistry, grease technologies, and base oil performance characteristics.
• Understanding of conventional and synthetic lubricant systems and performance additive packages.
• Experience in manufacturing, blending, refinery, petrochemical, or related environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, optimize, and maintain lubricant, grease, and specialty sealant formulations for industrial and heavy‑duty applications.
• Evaluate additive packages, base oils, synthetic fluids, and raw materials to improve product performance and manufacturing efficiency.
• Take ownership of new product development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Conduct laboratory testing and quality control evaluations on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products.
• Perform analytical testing utilizing ASTM methodologies and other standard lubricant testing methods.

Skills

Lubricant formulation

Additive chemistry

Grease technologies

Base oil performance

Education

BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science

Job description

Element Staffing is recruiting for a Formulation Chemist for a specialty lubricant, grease, and sealant manufacturer in the North Houston, TX area. This position will support product formulation, quality control, and product development activities for industrial, automotive, heavy-duty, and specialty lubricant product lines.

The Formulation Chemist will be responsible for developing and optimizing lubricant formulations, supporting quality control testing, evaluating additive packages, troubleshooting production issues, and working closely with manufacturing personnel to ensure products meet customer and performance specifications. This role requires a strong technical foundation in lubricant chemistry, hands-on problem-solving skills, and the ability to thrive in a plant-adjacent manufacturing environment.

This is a highly hands-on laboratory position with significant interaction between the laboratory, production, quality, and operations teams.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develop, optimize, and maintain lubricant, grease, and specialty sealant formulations for industrial and heavy-duty applications
• Evaluate additive packages, base oils, synthetic fluids, and raw materials to improve product performance and manufacturing efficiency
• Take ownership of new product development projects from concept through commercialization
• Conduct laboratory testing and quality control evaluations on raw materials, in-process samples, and finished products
• Perform analytical testing utilizing ASTM methodologies and other standard lubricant testing methods, including viscosity, flash point, FTIR, ICP, penetration, and related analyses
• Investigate and troubleshoot off-specification batches and provide technical recommendations for corrective actions
• Partner closely with Production, Operations, and Quality to transition laboratory formulations into commercial manufacturing while resolving technical issues that arise during production
• Support batch review activities and provide technical guidance to manufacturing and quality teams
• Maintain laboratory instrumentation, calibration records, and testing documentation
• Prepare and maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Technical Data Sheets (TDS), and related product documentation
• Support ISO quality management systems and maintain compliance with applicable regulatory and customer requirements
• Assist with raw material qualification, supplier evaluations, and alternative material assessments
• Provide technical support for customer inquiries and internal product performance discussions as needed
• Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant laboratory environment
• Collaborate with operations, production, quality, and management teams to support business objectives and growth initiatives

Additional Requirements:

• Strong knowledge of lubricant formulation, additive chemistry, grease technologies, and base oil performance characteristics
• Understanding of conventional and synthetic lubricant systems, including Group I-V base oils and performance additive packages
• Experience working in a manufacturing, blending, refinery, petrochemical, lubricant, or specialty chemical environment preferred

Additional Information:

• Years of Experience: 4-7+ years of formulation experience within lubricants, greases, metalworking fluids, industrial fluids, specialty chemicals, or related industrial products
• Education: BS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related technical discipline required