Junior Chemist

ITW; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

ITW Car Care in Houston, TX, seeks a Junior R&D Chemist with a chemistry background to support formulation development and product innovation within a collaborative R&D team. You will execute experiments and evaluate performance while helping translate consumer insights into robust formulations.

This hands-on lab role offers growth opportunities and exposure to new product development, working with Brand, Packaging, Process Engineering, and Quality teams in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering; advanced degree a plus.
• Up to 3 years hands-on formulation or laboratory experience in consumer-focused industries.
• Strong analytical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Translate consumer insights into robust formulation concepts and product design strategies.
• Design and execute formulation experiments, including performance testing and stability studies.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate technical capabilities into validated product benefits.
• Maintain disciplined laboratory execution, data capture, and technical reporting.
• Support scale-up, quality, and regulatory alignment during development.

Skills

Formulation chemistry

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Data-driven decisions

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

Job description

About Us ITW Car Care is a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW), specializing in automotive aftermarket products. The division offers a diverse portfolio of brands such as Rain‑X wiper blades, visibility‑enhancing products, and water‑repellent treatments, including our 2‑in‑1 Glass Cleaner. Black Magic supports wheel and tire needs, including Tire Wet.

Job Description

The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in chemistry and a passion for formulation and product development. Working within a collaborative R&D organization and under the guidance of a senior R&D Leader, the Junior R&D Chemist will execute assigned projects and progressively take on greater ownership in a fast‑paced, innovation‑driven environment. The role supports formulation development, experimental execution, technical evaluation, and performance validation of new and existing products.

This is a hands‑on laboratory role, with at least 50% of time spent in the lab conducting experiments, evaluating product performance, and documenting results. The position offers an excellent opportunity to develop formulation expertise while contributing to new product development, product improvements, and business growth.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Support the translation of consumer insights, performance targets, and business needs into robust formulation concepts and product design strategies.
• Develop and optimize formulations that deliver differentiated performance, stability, and consumer‑relevant benefits aligned with brand strategy.
• Design and execute formulation experiments, including performance testing, stability studies, and comparative benchmarking against competitive products.
• Collaborate with Brand, Application, Packaging and Process Engineering teams to help translate technical capabilities into validated product benefits, claims, and consumer‑facing messaging.
• Collaborate with R&D Project Management to support technical execution and deliver project objectives within scope and timing.
• Evaluate new and alternative raw materials and technologies to support current products and future innovation opportunities.
• Assist in developing and maintaining technical product specifications to ensure consistent quality, manufacturability, and end‑user performance.
• Support Supply Chain, Process Engineering, and Quality teams during scale‑up and commercialization.
• Ensure disciplined execution of laboratory work, including experimental design, data capture, interpretation, and technical reporting.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and compliant laboratory environment in accordance with company and regulatory standards.

Occasional business travel may be required.

Perform additional responsibilities as required to support R&D and business objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline; advanced degree an plus.
• Up to 3 years of hands‑on formulation or laboratory experience (internship and co‑op experience considered), preferably in consumer‑packaged goods, automotive care, coatings, or related applied chemistry industries.

Additional Qualifications To Succeed In The Role

• Working knowledge of formulation chemistry; exposure to surfactants, silicones, polymers, or solvents a plus.
• Familiarity with laboratory characterization techniques and analytical instrumentation.
• Ability to execute formulation experiments and interpret technical data with appropriate guidance.
• Exposure to product performance testing, stability evaluation, or benchmarking.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks in a dynamic, fast‑paced R&D environment.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem‑solving skills, and a data‑driven approach to technical decisions.
• Effective collaborator, comfortable working in cross‑functional teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly document and communicate technical findings.
• High attention to detail, ownership mindset, and eagerness to learn and grow.

Equal Employment Opportunity

ITW is an equal‑opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.