Polymer and Synthetic Chemist

Spectraforce; Lafayette (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Coverage

401(k) with Employer Match

Paid Time Off

Equity opportunity

Job summary

Spectraforce is seeking a Polymer and Synthetic Chemist in Lafayette/Boulder, CO to advance polymer chemistry for mining, metals, and energetic binder systems. This role emphasizes hands-on synthesis, rigorous characterization, and scale-up from lab to production in a hazardous lab.

Required are a PhD or MS/BS with polymer development experience and expertise in GPC/SEC, DSC, TGA, and rheology, with strong safety practices and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS/BS with significant polymer development experience.
• Hands-on experience in step-growth polymerization and MW control.
• Experience with polymer characterization techniques (GPC/SEC, DSC, TGA, rheology).
• Ability to work in a hazardous laboratory environment with exotherm safety knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead phenolic condensation chemistry for mining/metals polymer products with controlled MW distributions.
• Perform calorimetry and thermal characterization to set safe operating conditions.
• Develop binder systems for energetic materials and solid rocket motor applications.
• Develop and validate polymer characterization methods (GPC/SEC, DSC, TGA, rheology).
• Control bead and resin morphology via suspension polymerization and particle size optimization.
• Collaborate with metals lab and support cross-functional campaigns.

Skills

Hands-on organic synthesis

Polymer chemistry

Exotherm safety awareness

Education

PhD in Polymer Chemistry / Organic Chemistry / Materials Science / Chemical Engineering

BS/MS with 6+ years polymer development experience

Tools

GPC/SEC

DSC

TGA

Rheometer / Rheology

Job description

Job Title: Polymer and Synthetic Chemist

Job Type: Direct Hire

Location: Lafayette / Boulder, Colorado, USA

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Director of Synthetic Chemistry

Position Summary

Chemistry is the invisible layer of critical industries, and traditional supply chains are increasingly vulnerable. Rather than refining petroleum, the organization creates essential molecules from the atom up.

The Polymer and Synthetic Chemist will work across multiple business verticals, supporting polymer products for mining and metals, as well as binder and formulation development for energetic materials. The role combines phenolic condensation polymer chemistry, molecular weight distribution control, thermal characterization, and advanced binder systems for polymer-bonded explosives (PBX) and solid rocket motor applications.

This position is suited for a chemist with hands‑on synthetic organic chemistry, polymer development, and characterization experience who can translate laboratory research into reproducible product specifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead phenolic condensation chemistry for mining and metals polymer products, from soluble oligomers to crosslinked beads, while maintaining narrow and reproducible molecular weight distributions.
• Conduct calorimetry and thermal characterization of curing reactions to establish safe and reproducible operating conditions.
• Develop binder systems for polymer-bonded explosives and solid rocket motor applications, including HTPB and energetic binder chemistry, cure kinetics, filler loading, rheology, pot life, and cured composite mechanical properties.
• Develop and validate polymer characterization methods, including GPC/SEC, DSC, TGA, rheometry, swelling, and extractables analysis.
• Control bead and resin morphology through suspension polymerization, particle size distribution, porosity, and surface area optimization.
• Evaluate candidate derivatives using the organization's platform chemistries in collaboration with the metals laboratory.
• Support cross-functional laboratory campaigns and provide hands‑on technical assistance across business verticals as needed.

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering, with at least 2 years of postdoctoral or industry experience; alternatively, a BS/MS degree with 6+ years of industrial polymer development experience.
• Experience in step‑growth polymerization and molecular weight control; phenolic or epoxy resin systems are particularly desirable.
• Hands‑on synthetic organic chemistry experience, beyond formulation‑only work.
• Practical experience performing polymer characterization techniques, including GPC/SEC, thermal analysis, and rheology.
• Experience scaling resin or binder development from laboratory batches to reproducible product specifications across multiple production campaigns.
• Ability to work in a hazardous laboratory environment, with a strong understanding of exotherm control and reaction safety.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with HTPB, polyurethane, or energetic binder systems, including solid rocket motor propellant or PBX formulation.
• Experience in cross‑linked bead and resin synthesis, suspension or emulsion polymerization, and porosity control.
• Reaction calorimetry for exothermic curing reactions and runaway reaction characterization.
• Experience in ion‑exchange or chelating resin manufacturing and functionalization.
• Familiarity with ITAR‑regulated environments or possession of a security clearance.
• Experience applying statistical design of experiments (DoE) to formulation development.

Additional Information

What Success Looks Like

Within the First 3 Months

• Complete calorimetry and thermal characterization of the phenolic curing reaction.
• Establish and document a safe operating envelope that all product lines sharing the reaction chemistry and reactor can follow.

Within 6-12 Months

• Deliver the condensate at each target specification, demonstrating a reproducible molecular weight distribution across three consecutive batches.
• Define a binder formulation development pathway for the energetics program, including the characterization methods required for qualification.

Export Control Compliance

This role involves access to data and systems subject to U.S. export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, a lawful permanent resident, or a protected individual as defined under 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3).

Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s skills, experience, and qualifications. The organization offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical Coverage: A wide range of medical plans, with many options fully covered for employees and dependents at no cost to the employee.
• 401(k) with Employer Match: Employer matching contributions of up to 4% of eligible compensation.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation, paid company holidays, and an end‑of‑year shutdown.
• Equity: An opportunity to join the organization at an early and pivotal stage of its growth, with equity commensurate with experience and meaningful potential upside as the company scales.
• For information on benefits, equal opportunity employment, and location‑specific applicant notices, click here