Formulation Scientist

Valvoline Inc.; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in automotive solutions seeks a Formulation Scientist-Motorsports to innovate and improve lubricants for high-performance racing engines. The role involves formulation, testing, and collaboration with racing teams to enhance engine performance and durability. Ideal candidates will have extensive lab experience and a strong background in chemical engineering principles.

Benefits

401(k)

Life Insurance

Paid Vacation

Short and Long-term Disability Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Qualifications

• 10+ years lab experience with 5-7 years in motorsports or relevant R&D.
• Direct experience in F1 racing engine oil and formulation.

Responsibilities

• Create new racing engine oil formulations to increase performance.
• Lead product trials in collaboration with racing teams.
• Conduct research for innovative lubrication solutions.

Skills

Technical Communication

Problem Solving

Innovation

Education

B.S. in Chemistry

B.S. in Chemical Engineering

Job description

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Valvoline Global is a worldwide leader in automotive and industrial solutions, creating future-ready products and best-in-class services for partners around the globe. Established in 1866, we introduced the world’s first branded motor oil, claiming our position as The Original Motor Oil. As an affiliate of Aramco, one of the world's largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, we continue to invest strategically and expand globally, driving unparalleled product innovation and sustainable business solutions.

Our corporate values of care, integrity, passion, unified, and excellence shape everything we do. Living out our values is what makes our company, our employees, our partners, our customers, and the communities we serve great.

When you join Valvoline Global, you join a culture that is committed to: treating all people with care, operating with integrity, striving for excellence in everything we do, showing passion about delivering on our commitments, and being unified in all our enterprise endeavors.

Careers for the Driven

Valvoline has a rewarding opportunity as a Formulation Scientist-Motorsports .We whole-heartedly adopt a ‘never idle' mindset. We also know that outstanding service begins and ends with our employees. So, we’re looking for good people to join our team. You bring your skills, talents, and drive. We will give you a great place to work, a competitive salary and benefits, and the resources and support to develop and advance within our global company.

The Formulation Scientist-Motorsports role will focus on creation and continuous improvement of lubricants for Formula One power units, and other motorsport engines, to meet or exceed performance, reliability, and sanctioning body targets. The successful candidate will formulate these lubricants from individual components and will not incorporate commercial additive packages. This role requires working with cross-functional teams to develop and refine lubricants, supporting combustion engines, hybrid systems, and cooling elements, to ensure increased performance deploying adjacent and/or cutting-edge technologies. In alignment with strategic directives, this role will sponsor and conduct research at National Laboratories and Universities, using the acquired data to design high performance lubricants, then confirming performance with both laboratory-based and on track testing.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Createnew racing engine oil formulations from basic components without the use of commercial additive packages to constantly increase engine performance and durability for F1, NASCAR, and other types of professional racing.
• Designgroundbreaking engine lubricants through laboratory-based testing and iterative product trials, ensuring lubricants meet stringent quality and effectiveness standards, often being the first to deploy new technology in the automotive space, and continually strives to improve performance.
• Leadproduct trials in collaboration with racing teams at racing events and during on track tests, with a commitment to monitoring and refining lubricant formulations based on acquired real-world performance data, analytical modeling, and first principle physics and chemistry.
• Conductresearch and leads studies to develop innovative lubrication solutions that enhance engine performance, durability, and efficiency in high-stress racing environments
• Establishand grows a strong external network of collaborators in academia, government laboratories, suppliers, and the racing industry
• Define trade secrets patentable inventions, and seek intellectual property protection when applicable
• Providetechnical support to race teams, component suppliers, sanctioning bodies, etc. as required
• Other duties and responsibilities as determined by Valvoline Global Operations from time to time in its sole discretion.

What You’ll Need

• Minimum B.S. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
• Direct experience in F1 racing engine oil and formulation
• Strong technical background in engineering fundamentals including lubrication, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics

10+ years lab experience with 5-7 years’ experience in motorsports or relevant R&D activity

Possess an intellectual curiosity with a passion to explore and innovate both within and outside of stated area of expertise in pursuit of increased engine performance

Familiarity with racing driveline hardware, fluid formulation, transmission operation and designs

Knowledge of engine and transmission performance testing

Ability to evaluate and select both providers and products from our sourced products portfolio for the professional racing industry

Strong written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences

Passion and enthusiastic, ability to work individually and in teams

Lab environment, must be able to lift 25 pounds. Travel is required to perform some responsibilities of position.

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

What Will Set You Apart

• Masters or PhD preferred
• Ability to speak Japaneseis preferred
• Experience in Intellectual Property generation and control
• Experience in tribology and lubricant product development

Benefits That Drive Themselves

• HSA and flexible spending accounts
• 401(k)
• Incentive opportunity*
• Life insurance
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays*
• Employee Assistance Program
• Adoption assistance*

*Terms and conditions apply, and benefits may differ depending on position.

Valvoline Global provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Are you good at what you do? Join us.

The Company has put a process in place to make its recruitment process accessible to any and all users. Reasonable accommodations will be provided, upon request, to applicants with disabilities in order to facilitate equal opportunity throughout the recruitment and selection process. Please contact Human Resources at 1-800-Valvoline or email [e-mail] to make a request for reasonable accommodation during any aspect of the recruitment and selection process. The contact information is for accommodation requests only; do not use this contact information to inquire about the status of applications.