Materials Scientist, Sealants

PPG Industries; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

PPG Aerospace is seeking a Materials Scientist, Sealants, to drive development and qualification of advanced aerospace sealants and potting compounds at the Burbank, CA location. The role emphasizes hands-on materials engineering, formulation work, and collaboration with multiple teams to transform concepts into market-ready products.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Materials Science & Engineering or Materials Chemistry, with experience in polymeric materials and mechanical property testing.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in materials science, engineering, or chemistry.
• Strong knowledge of polymers and materials science fundamentals.
• Experience with fracture toughness and fatigue measurements.
• Ability to perform literature reviews and IP assessments.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and qualification of aerospace sealants and potting compounds.
• Conduct hands-on materials engineering and formulation work (60–70%).
• Collaborate across departments to scale, qualify, and commercialize new materials.
• Translate innovations into commercial products.

Education

PhD in MSE

PhD in Materials Chemistry

Job description

PPG Aerospace is looking for internal or external candidates to join our team and lead innovation in product development. If you are passionate about science and technology, enjoy working on materials engineering and new materials development challenges, and are excited about advancing products from concept to commercialization, this role is for you.

As a Materials Scientist, Sealants, you will help develop and qualify aerospace sealants and potting compounds, with a emphasis on new product development based on new technologies. You will report to the Technical Manager – New Product Development in the Aerospace Sealants department and is located in our Aerospace Materials Science & Technology Center, Burbank, CA.

Main Responsibilities

• Technical Expertise: Conduct 60-70% hands-on work focusing on materials engineering and formulation development lab work, 40-30% focused on literature reviews, intellectual property assessments, and customer engagement.
• New Product Development: Work on cutting-edge sealants and potting compounds, ensuring successful formulation and product development.
• Innovation & Implementation: Develop and implement new technologies, ensuring that they translate into successful commercial products.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with various departments to ensure the successful scale‑up, qualification, and commercialization of new materials and product line extensions.

Qualifications

• Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering, or Materials Chemistry.
• 0+ years of experience in materials engineering / formulation development within the space of sealants, adhesives, coatings, composites, or polymeric materials.
• Knowledge of scientific principles, materials science and engineering fundamentals
• Structure-function relationships in the context of polymer-based materials, and
• Understanding of mechanical property measurements including fracture toughness and fatigue measurements.
• Only U.S. Citizens, Green Card holders, and political asylees or refuges are eligible to apply.
• Security Clearance eligibility is required.

£LI-Onsite

The base salary range for this position is $105,00-115,500 with a possibility of an annual bonus up to 7% of base salary. PPG offers comprehensive benefits such as Health, Dental, Life, Retirement Plan, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Disability/Leave, Family leave, and other Voluntary benefit offerings. Actual benefit offerings confirmed at the time of hire.

About us

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD ®

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways thandoes any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG onX.

The PPG Way 2030

We are customer champions

Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, movefastand don't stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow.

We act with purpose and speed

Agile. Data-driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.

We are excellentoperators

Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, weidentifyproblems, takeownershipand always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support ourfrontline,the faces of PPG to our customers.

We compete to win

Future-focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace newtechnologiesand leverage agility and speed as strengths.

We are PPG proud

Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act withintegrityand value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world.

At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.

PPGprovidesequal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genderidentityor expression.

If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email [e-mail].

PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary bylocationwhich allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply. Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurancecoveragesand benefits will bein accordance withthe terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.

PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process,so that we can do better today than yesterday.