Principal Scientist

Kerr Dental; Pomona (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Medical/dental/vision benefits

401K match

Job summary

Kerr Dental in Pomona, CA seeks a Principal Scientist to act as SME and technical leader in dental chemical consumables. The role drives innovation, leads NPD and life-cycle management, and ensures design control, risk management, and quality standards across programs.

The candidate will mentor junior scientists, translate emerging technologies into commercially viable products, and represent R&D in cross-functional product launches. On-site work required.

Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, polymer, or related field required OR at least 10+ years in the medical device industry with 4+ years in dental industry.

Responsibilities

• Actively seeks new technologies and features for dental consumables.
• Designs experiments and schedules to meet project timetable.
• Act as SME for assigned categories and adjacent ones.
• Plan strategic roadmap inputs across product categories.
• Lead R&D activities within design control and changes.
• Lead experiments to validate product performance, reliability and shelf life.
• Mentor junior scientists and coach research staff.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, quality, and safety policies.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Experimental design

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in chemistry or polymer science

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Principal Scientist serves as a subject matter expert and technical leader, driving innovation and high-impact research and development initiatives across dental chemical consumables. This role identifies and evaluates emerging technologies, translates them into commercially viable products, and leads complex experimental design and execution to validate product performance, reliability, and shelf life. Operating with a high degree of independence, the Principal Scientist leads new product development and lifecycle management efforts, contributes to strategic roadmap planning, and ensures adherence to design control, risk management, and quality standards. Additionally, the role mentors junior scientists, fosters continuous improvement in laboratory practices, and represents R&D in cross-functional activities to support successful product launches and sustained product excellence.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Actively seeks new technologies, and product features as part of innovation activities for the assigned product category and other dental chemical consumables products that could translate into new product offering.
• Creates research activities outline (design of experiments) and schedules according to company’s timetable and establishes daily or weekly routines necessary to meet project timetable.
• Exhibits deep knowledge and understanding (Subject Matter Expert /SME) of the assigned category and at least two adjacent categories.
• Provides input and support in the planning strategic roadmap across all product categories.
• Independently leads R&D activities as part of design control/design change project within assigned or adjacent product categories.
• Leads and/or executes experiments that scientifically confirm product performance, reliability, and shelf life.
• Leads NPD feasibility work and provide support on sustaining project at high complexity.
• Expected to participate with significant contribution in at least a combination of four product launches and/or life-cycle management (sustaining) projects with high impact/complexity level or applied innovation of at least one new technology platform in commercial product.
• Maintains proficiency in NPD tollgate and design change to independently prepare and execute activities (example: test methods, design verification protocol and report, ECR memo, etc.)
• Represents R&D in product risk management activities (documentation of risk identification, mitigation verification, etc.)
• Applies good laboratory practices.
• Identifies deficiencies and modifies/improves existing procedures.
• Applies scientific theory to reach conclusions based on data analysis.
• Provides mentoring/coaching to research associates, research chemists, and junior scientists.
• Complies with all company policies and procedures including quality, complaint handling, and safety.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.

Job Requirements

• Doctoral degree in chemistry, polymer, or related fields required. OR
• 10+ years of research in the medical device industry with at least 4+ years in the dental industry.
• Ability to work onsite five days per week.
• Skilled in conducting standard chemical or physical testing.
• Expertise in conducting various material testing (chemical and physical).
• Experience in applying good laboratory practices.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office including Word and Excel.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Good interpersonal and collaborative skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to prioritize.

LOCATION

• In-office 5-days per week
• Pomona, CA

Physical Demands

• Works in a chemical laboratory and/or manufacturing environment with the required Personal Protection Equipment (PPE).
• Works in the presence of human and animal teeth.
• Frequently uses hands and fingers.
• Occasionally reaches up/down with arms.
• Occasionally bends and stoops.
• Occasionally walks and stands.
• Occasionally sits.
• Occasionally lifts and carries up to 15 lbs.

Actual compensation packages take into account a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to geographic location; skill sets; relevant education and certifications; depth of experience; performance; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed reasonable estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Envista, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The total compensation package for this position may also include an annual performance bonus, medical/dental/vision benefits, 401K match, and/or other applicable compensation plans.

$120,000 - $160,000

Operating company: Kerr

Envista and all Envista Companies are equal opportunity employers that evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristics protected by law. The “EEO is the Law” poster is available at: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf