Principal Environmental Scientist

WD-40 Company (UK); New Jersey; Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance with company-paid premium

401K match

Short-day Fridays

Vacation

Job summary

A leading environmental innovation firm is seeking a Principal Environmental Scientist to transform product design with a focus on sustainability. This role involves research into low impact materials, conducting life cycle assessments, and educating teams on environmental best practices. Ideal candidates will have a Master's degree in chemistry or environmental science and 5-10 years of relevant experience. A flexible hybrid work schedule is available, with a competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in product design and development.
• Experience in conducting product LCAs using ISO methods.
• Ability to work independently and influence cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research for environmentally friendly product designs.
• Perform product life cycle assessments.
• Develop training content for environmental competencies.

Skills

Environmental impact analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Product life cycle assessments

Green chemistry knowledge

Analytical skills

Education

Master’s degree in chemistry or environmental science

PhD preferred

Tools

LCA software

Job description

Are you passionate about driving environmental innovation through science? At WD-40 Company, we’re looking for a visionaryPrincipal Environmental Scientistto lead the charge in transforming our product design with sustainability at its core. In this pivotal role, you’ll explore cutting-edge chemistry and packaging solutions that reduce environmental and human health impacts, helping us meet our long-term sustainability goals.

You’ll also be a key knowledge catalyst, sharing the latest environmental research across our global teams to elevate our collective Environmental IQ (‘E’IQ). Your insights will empower product developers across all regions to make informed, responsible choices that align with our commitment to a better planet.

This role offers the flexibility of working a hybrid schedule between your home and our office in Pine Brook, NJ.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. and should not require sponsorship now or in the future to legally work in the U.S.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Conducts research into new materials and technologies that could be leveraged for delivering lower environmental impact of product design. Generates and distributes insights to enable decision making.
• Identifies new underlying principles, new formulae, new primary packaging, novel methods, and technical solutions to accomplish environmental and commercial objectives. Performs initial development and lab work to assess technical viability. Completes all necessary actions to ensure intellectual property is established and protectable.
• Works to understand details of value chain within product designs in order to perform specific product life cycle assessments using selected LCA software as required, across the spectrum of the company’s range of products and SKUs.
• Develops learning content for employees to enhance environmental competency and knowledge. Acts as an internal educator on technical matters of environmental science regarding product design.
• Partners with the Global Regulatory team and provides advice on a wide range of emerging environmental regulatory requirements.
• Partners with Global Innovation team and provides guidance for and participates in product development, from the perspective of environmental impacts of design choices.
• Partners with Supply Chain professionals in efforts to form collaborative initiatives with vendors and partners towards achieving reductions in emissions across the value chain (Scope 3). Acts as advisor and guide to Supply Chain partners as necessary, working with their internal environmental program leaders and professionals.

What You’ll Bring To The Role

• Master’s degree in chemistry, environmental science, or closely related field.
• PhD preferred but not required.
• 5-10 years working in directly related assignments, preferably involving products and/or processes applicable in maintenance chemical applications with delivery systems and primary packaging formats close to the company’s range of product types.
• 5+ years’ experience in consumer product design and development.
• 5+ years’ experience in the field of environmental science related to conducting product LCAs and the operation of carbon accounting analytical tools using ISO methods and accepted data sources.
• Demonstrated experience working in cross-functional teams, as an independent contributor, successfully influencing outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to self-teach and develop higher levels of scientific skill and knowledge with no guidance.
• Some education or knowledge of product life cycle assessments, green chemistry, and sustainable packaging is preferred.

Total Rewards

$105000– $135000 per year base salary plus 10% - 15% profit-sharing contribution to your retirement account. Salary is determined by multiple factors including relevant experience, knowledge, skills, other job-related qualifications, and alignment with market data.

• Medical insurance, 80-95% company-paid premium
• Dental and vision insurance
• 401K match
• Short-day Fridays
• Vacation

At WD-40 Company, we believe that purpose-driven, passionate people guided by our values create amazing outcomes. Our "why" is refreshingly simple - we exist to create positive lasting memories in everything we do.

Why You Should Apply

• A strong values-aligned organization where contributions are acknowledged and rewarded, and where 90% of our employees experience a sense of belonging.
• A learning-based culture where 78% of our team believe they can achieve their career objectives.
• Over 94% employee engagement as of the January 2025 global employee survey results.
• 99% of our people report that they “love to tell people that they work for WD-40 Company!"

Please, only consider employment with WD-40 Company if you feel as strongly about our values as we do: We live, breathe, and play by our values every day.

Thank you for considering WD-40 Company in your career search!

#PositiveLastingMemories

At WD-40 Company we foster a culture of inclusion where all individuals are recognized, valued, respected, and experience a sense of belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to individual characteristics that make us unique such as our backgrounds, experiences, qualities, talents, traits, beliefs, and preferences.