Principal R&D Engineer/Scientist

Solstice; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) match

Paid holidays

Job summary

Solstice Advanced Materials seeks a Sr. Principal R&D Engineer/Scientist to lead advanced polyurethane and PIR foam technologies for the Foam Blowing Agents business. You will collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams to optimize formulation, processing, and performance while advancing IP and industry knowledge.

The role requires 15+ years in polyurethane foam or related fields, strong leadership, and experience with Stage-Gate processes and SFDC. Travel up to 30% may be necessary.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of commercial formulation, technical service, product development, or application development in polyurethane foam.
• Demonstrated expertise in polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate foam technologies.
• Proven customer-facing experience solving technical challenges and supporting commercial growth.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced expertise in polyurethane foam formulation, processing, and performance optimization.
• Serve as the technical expert on cross-functional teams supporting fluorine-based technologies in polyurethane and PIR foam applications.
• Collaborate with customers to resolve technical challenges across multiple polyurethane applications and processes.
• Represent the company in industry associations and technical organizations.
• Contribute to technical publications and presentations on polyurethane rigid foam technology.
• Support IP activities including invention disclosures, patent reviews, and IP strategy development.
• Conduct VOC interviews to identify unmet needs and develop value propositions for Solstice Advanced Materials products.
• Identify new technology opportunities and drive innovation projects with commercial teams.
• Translate customer requirements into actionable R&D and project plans balancing technical and business objectives.

Skills

Polyurethane foam

Polyiso foam

Customer-facing

Foam formulation

Education

Bachelors in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or Materials Science

Tools

Salesforce SFDC

Stage-Gate processes

Job description

When you join Solstice Advanced Materials, you become part of a global team of thinkers, innovators, dreamers, and doers who create the materials that help shape the future.

Solstice Advanced Materials is a global supplier of fluorine products, fine chemicals, additives, metals, films, and fibers serving industries such as pharmaceuticals, refrigeration, semiconductors, and military protection. We help make the world safer, cleaner, and more sustainable through a differentiated portfolio of chemistries, materials, value-added solutions, and exceptional customer service.

Our mission is to attract, develop, and retain diverse, highly motivated employees who are committed to delivering superior value to our customers every day.

This role of Sr. Principal R&D Engineer/Scientist supports the Foam Blowing Agents business, with a strong focus on thermoset insulation technologies, particularly polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) foams.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Provide advanced expertise in polyurethane foam formulation, processing, and performance optimization.
• Serve as the technical expert on cross-functional project teams supporting fluorine-based technologies used in polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foam applications.
• Collaborate directly with customers to resolve technical challenges across multiple polyurethane applications and manufacturing processes.
• Represent the company within industry trade associations and technical organizations.
• Contribute to the advancement of industry knowledge through technical publications and presentations related to polyurethane rigid foam technology.
• Support intellectual property activities, including invention disclosures, patent reviews, and IP strategy development.
• Conduct Voice of Customer (VOC) interviews to identify unmet needs and develop compelling value propositions for Solstice Advanced Materials products.
• Identify new technology opportunities and drive innovation projects that support business growth in collaboration with commercial teams.
• Translate customer requirements into actionable R&D and project plans while balancing technical and business objectives.
• Analyze and interpret complex scientific and technical data and communicate findings effectively to customers, business leaders, and technical stakeholders.
• Develop and provide conversion guidelines, technical recommendations, and implementation support for customers adopting Solstice Advanced Materials products.
• Mentor and coach scientists and engineers, fostering technical excellence and knowledge sharing across the organization.

Qualifications

You Must Have

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 15 years of commercial formulation, technical service, product development, or application development experience in the polyurethane foam industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate foam technologies.
• Proven customer-facing experience solving technical challenges and supporting commercial growth.

We Value

• Extensive polyurethane formulation and application development experience, preferably spanning multiple market segments.
• Broad understanding of engineering principles and familiarity with a variety of foam manufacturing processes and production environments.
• Strong leadership and project management capabilities.
• Experience working within Stage-Gate innovation processes and Salesforce (SFDC) systems.
• Strong business acumen and ability to connect technical solutions with customer value.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Experience working in a matrixed global organization.
• Demonstrated experience with industry trade associations and standards organizations.
• Experience developing intellectual property and supporting patent filings.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

BENEFITS OF WORKING FOR SOLSTICE ADVANCED MATERIALS

In addition to a competitive salary, leading-edge work, and developing solutions side-by-side with dedicated experts in their fields, Solstice Advanced Materials employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes employer-subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 12 Paid Holidays.

The annual base salary range for this position is$180k-$245K. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Solstice considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience,education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations. This position is incentive plan eligible

Solstice Advanced Materials is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status.

About Us

About Solstice Advanced Materials

Solstice Advanced Materials is a leading global specialty materials company that advances science for smarter outcomes. Solstice offers high-performance solutions that enable critical industries and applications, including refrigerants, semiconductor manufacturing, data center cooling, nuclear power, protective fibers, healthcare packaging and more. Solstice is recognized for developing next-generation materials through some of the industry's most renowned brands such as Solstice®, Genetron®, Aclar®, Spectra®, Fluka™, and Hydranal™. Partnering with over 3,000 customers across more than 120 countries and territories and supported by a robust portfolio of over 5,700 patents, Solstice's approximately 4,000 employees worldwide drive innovation in materials science. For more information, visit Advanced Materials .

Job Info

• Job Identification 107824
• Job Category Engineering
• Job Schedule Full time
• Locations 20 Peabody St, Buffalo, NY, 14210, US
• Hire Eligibility Internal and External
• Relocation Package US & CAN Domestic Tier 2
• Pay Transparency NY;$180-$245K
• US Person Due to U.S. export control laws, candidates must be U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have protected status under asylum or refugee.