R&D- Chemist II (Powder)

Sherwin-Williams; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherwin-Williams is seeking an R&D Chemist II in Minneapolis to advance heavy Equipment and Transportation coatings. You will collaborate with Marketing, Sales and customers to drive new tech and ensure product performance.

You’ll work with global teams across NA, Europe, Asia and LATAM on coating formulations, scale-up and defect resolution. Responsibilities include hands-on formulation, testing, scale-up, and continuous improvement while mentoring junior staff and ensuring safety and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.
• Minimum of 3 years in coatings, polymer, thermoplastic, thermoset, or adhesive research and development.
• Experience with extrusion and dispersion.
• Understanding of instrumentation and test methods for coatings/plastics.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with General Industrial Sales, Technical and Marketing teams to secure new business and maintain customers.
• Communicate with managers, customers, vendors, and stakeholders; deliver presentations as needed.
• Analyze data to identify trends and support project advancement.
• Lead technically complex projects or multiple simpler projects with minimal supervisor input.
• Establish timelines and identify resource needs to support project work.
• Mentor lower-level chemists or technicians to support team goals.
• Hands-on development: formulate, process, test, and scale-up new coating products.

Skills

Coatings development

Polymer science

Data analysis

Project leadership

DOE (Design of Experiment)

Statistics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math

Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Polymer Science

Tools

Data visualization software

Robotic liquid and powder spray systems

Job description

Job Description The R&D Chemist II will work extensively in the Heavy Equipment and Transportation market segments, supporting Powder coating technologies in Sherwin-Williams’s North America General Industrial Business. This role requires close collaboration with Marketing, Sales, and end customers to advance technologies and meet product performance and warranty expectations. The position is part of the Global Accounts group within R&D and the chemist will work closely with the North America and global project teams throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with General Industrial Sales, Technical and Marketing teams to support and secure new business as well as maintain the current customer base.
• Communicate effectively and promptly with managers, customers, vendors, and other stakeholders, delivering formal and informal presentations as needed.
• Analyze data to identify trends, resolve customer issues, and assess information for project advancement.
• Lead technically complex projects or multiple simpler projects with minimal supervisor input.
• Establish timelines and identify resource needs to support project work.
• Apply specialized knowledge of polymers, adhesion, raw materials, instrumentation, extrusion, additives, and substrates to develop superior performance coatings and perform root cause analysis when problems arise.
• Mentor lower-level chemists or technicians to support team project goals.
• Hands‑on development: formulate, process, apply, cure, and test new coating products.
• Scale‑up and manufacture new products.
• Implement continuous improvement efforts.
• Use SDS and raw materials management system.
• Adhere to safety policies and laboratory documentation.
• Communicate all results, both written and verbal, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, good organization, planning ability, and initiative.

Basic Qualifications

• Legally authorized to work in the country of employment without needing sponsorship for employment work visa status now or in the future.
• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Minimum of 3 years in coatings, polymer, thermoplastic, thermoset, or adhesive research and development.
• Experience with extrusion and dispersion.
• Full‑scale manufacturing experience of coatings, polymers, thermoplastics, thermosets, and/or adhesives.
• Understanding of instrumentation and test methods needed to quantify behavior of coatings/plastics.
• Ability to determine color differences to correctly tint paint to the colors desired by customers.
• Proficiency with analytical methods for characterization of coatings and coating defects.
• Demonstrated successful scale‑up and commercialization of coating or polymer systems.
• Proven problem‑solving and decision‑making ability.
• Experience with Design of Experiment.
• In‑depth understanding of coating formulation and how it relates to coating requirements.
• Proficiency in statistics and data analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Polymer Science.
• 7+ years in coating, polymer, or adhesive research and development.
• Experience in data visualization software to analyze large datasets.
• Experience designing, executing and analyzing experimental studies to characterize formulation impact on product performance.
• Understanding of synthesis of polyester and epoxy resins.
• Experience with liquid and powder spray systems utilizing robotic equipment.

Eligibility

This position is not eligible for sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, including conversion to H‑1B visa.

Travel Requirements

Domestic and some International travel, approximately 20%.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Sherwin‑Williams is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law or by contract.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws including with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act where applicable.

Benefits information can be found at http://www.myswbenefits.com/.