Product Development Chemist - Polymers & Adhesives

ITW; Danvers (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

ITW is seeking a Product Development Chemist to join our R&D team in Minnesota. You will design, develop, and scale-up differentiated adhesive formulations for aerospace, transportation, and general industrial markets, leveraging your entrepreneurial spirit and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

You will manage projects through ITW’s stage-gate process, conduct patent searches, and drive scale-up from lab to full-size batches while maintaining safety, quality, and performance standards.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in polymer or organic chemistry with industrial R&D experience.
• 5–10+ years in product development or adhesives/coatings.
• Experience with adhesives/coatings formulations.
• Experience with polymer testing equipment.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem solving.
• Willing to collaborate in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop new acrylic, polyurethane, and epoxy adhesive formulations for target markets.
• Innovate with polymers, catalysts, modifiers, and monomers for differentiated products.
• Manage technical aspects of projects within ITW’s stage-gate process.
• Conduct patent searches and generate IP.
• Scale up formulations from lab to commercial batches and transfer tech.
• Provide support for current products and qualify alternative raw materials.
• Lead multiple projects independently and use analytical lab equipment.
• Work hands-on in the lab and supervise technicians.
• Promote, support, and adhere to safety and quality policies.

Skills

Polymer chemistry

Adhesives formulation

Coatings formulation

Analytical testing

Lab equipment

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

MS or PhD in Organic or Polymer Chemistry

Tools

DSC

TGA

Rheometer

Instron

Job description

ITW is seeking a Product Development Chemist to join our R&D team in Minnesota. You will design, develop, and scale-up differentiated adhesive formulations for aerospace, transportation, and general industrial markets, leveraging your entrepreneurial spirit and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

You will manage projects through ITW’s stage-gate process, conduct patent searches, and drive scale-up from lab to full-size batches while maintaining safety, quality, and performance standards.