R&D- Sr. Chemist

Sherwin-Williams; Brecksville (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Sherwin-Williams in Ohio is seeking a product development scientist to design, formulate, and optimize automotive refinish coatings. You will lead new product projects from concept through commercialization, improve existing formulations, and collaborate across R&D, manufacturing, and quality teams.

Strong data analysis, DOE experience, and project management are essential; travel may be required. Join a global leader in paints and coatings with comprehensive benefits and a culture of safety and

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years hands-on laboratory experience in coatings, adhesives, or related chemical products.
• Minimum of 2 years experience in paint and coatings product development.
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate within cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop, formulate, and optimize automotive refinish primers, sealers, undercoats, and related coating products.
• Lead and execute new product development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Improve existing formulations to enhance performance, quality, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability.
• Prepare laboratory samples and conduct formulation work, including raw material evaluation, mixing, milling, and spray application.
• Perform coating application and testing activities, including performance evaluations and benchmarking studies.
• Analyze, organize, and interpret experimental data using statistical methods and DOE techniques.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure timely documentation of test results, observations, and conclusions.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and project updates for stakeholders and management.
• Collaborate effectively with R&D, Analytical, Applications, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Marketing, Regulatory, and Color teams to advance projects and resolve technical challenges.
• Provide technical support for product scale-up, manufacturing issues, quality improvement initiatives, and raw material qualification.
• Develop SDS, PDS, and other technical documentation while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Data analysis

DOE (Design of Experiments)

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science/Technology/Engineering or Math

Tools

Coatings formulation tools

Job description

Job Description

This position is responsible for Product Development of moderately complex products, Design and experiment, and perform technical base investigation in developing products within the Performance Coatings Group- Automotive team. The individual will have opportunities to gain experience in broad Automotive coating technologies, demonstrate leadership, and create companywide impact on new product developments.

Job Description

This position is responsible for Product Development of moderately complex products, Design and experiment, and perform technical base investigation in developing products within the Performance Coatings Group- Automotive team. The individual will have opportunities to gain experience in broad Automotive coating technologies, demonstrate leadership, and create companywide impact on new product developments.

Job duties include contact with other employees and access confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s staff, employees, and business relationships.

This role is not hybrid and will be located at Sherwin-Williams Morikis Global Technology Center located at 6745 Miller Road, Brecksville, OH 44141.

Responsibilities

• Develop, formulate, and optimize automotive refinish primers, sealers, undercoats, and related coating products.
• Lead and execute new product development projects from concept through commercialization.
• Improve existing formulations to enhance performance, quality, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability.
• Prepare laboratory samples and conduct formulation work, including raw material evaluation, mixing, milling, and spray application.
• Perform coating application and testing activities, including performance evaluations and benchmarking studies.
• Analyze, organize, and interpret experimental data using statistical methods and Design of Experiments (DOE) techniques.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure timely documentation of test results, observations, and conclusions.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and project updates for stakeholders and management.
• Collaborate effectively with R&D, Analytical, Applications, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Marketing, Regulatory, and Color teams to advance projects and resolve technical challenges.
• Provide technical support for product scale‑up, manufacturing issues, quality improvement initiatives, and raw material qualification.
• Develop Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Product Data Sheets (PDS), and other technical documentation while ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, establish priorities, and recommend project continuation, redirection, or termination based on technical and business factors.
• Mentor and support junior scientists and technicians to promote technical growth and team success.
• Demonstrate strong organizational, communication, and project management skills while working independently and within cross‑functional teams.
• Adhere to all company safety policies, laboratory procedures, and environmental health and safety requirements.
• Support additional technical and organizational responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without needing sponsorship for employment work visa status now or in the future (e.g., OPT, CPT, H1B, EB-1,etc.)
• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Minimum of 5 years of hands‑on laboratory experience in coatings, adhesives, or related chemical products.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in paint and coatings product development.
• General knowledge of coating chemistry, performance testing, and application techniques.
• Experience with 2K polyurethane coating systems and associated application technologies.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proficiency in data analysis, and interpretation.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively within cross‑functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong formulation experience and understanding of coating technologies.
• Experience developing automotive refinish products, particularly primers, sealers, undercoats, and related coating technologies.
• Working knowledge of reactive coating chemistries, including urethanes, epoxies, and other crosslinking systems.
• M.S. or Ph.D. degree in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field.
• Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or Black Belt preferred).
• Experience applying Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) methodologies to product development.
• Proven ability to lead complex technical projects and communicate recommendations to senior management.

Travel Requirements: 5

%

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

Successful candidate will be required to sign an Employee Restrictive Covenant Agreement where permitted by law.

This position is also eligible for bonus based on performance and subject to the terms of the Company’s applicable plans.

About Us

At Sherwin-Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent and passion make it possible to live this purpose, and for customers and our business to achieve great results. Sherwin-Williams is a place that takes its stability, growth and momentum and translates it to possibility for our people. Our people are behind the strength of our success, and we invest and support you in:

Life … with rewards, benefits and the flexibility to enhance your health and well‑being

Career … with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and grow your contribution

Connection … with an inclusive team and commitment to our own and broader communities

It’s all here for you... let's Create Your Possible

At Sherwin-Williams, part of our mission is to help our employees and their families live healthier, save smarter and feel better. This starts with a wide range of world‑class benefits designed for you. From retirement to health care, from total well‑being to your daily commute—it matters to us. A general description of benefits offered can be found at http://www.myswbenefits.com/ . Click on “Candidates” to view benefit offerings that you may be eligible for if you are hired as a Sherwin-Williams employee.

Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and will impact where actual compensation may fall within the stated wage range. The wage range listed for this role takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

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.

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.

As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Sherwin-Williams requests state and local employment services delivery systems to provide priority referral of Protected Veterans.

Please be aware, Sherwin-Williams recruiting team members will never request a candidate to provide a payment, ask for financial information, or sensitive personal information like national identification numbers, date of birth, or bank account numbers during the application process.