RD&E Group Leader

ChampionX; United States; On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedule

Resources and tools

Safety training & PPE

Medical, dental, vision; pension;Tu it

Job summary

ChampionX, now part of SLB, seeks an RD&E Group Leader for the Diagnostic Solutions team in Sugar Land, Texas. The role focuses on aligning resources, prioritizing projects, and delivering technical solutions to complex problems while coordinating with internal and external customers.

The ideal candidate will lead teams with strong communication, collaboration, and staff development, and will travel up to 20% as needed.

Qualifications

• Degree in analytical chemistry, materials science, polymer science, or a related discipline with experience in technology strategy development, leadership and innovation.
• Education and experience: Bachelor’s +7, Master’s +4, PhD +2.
• Five+ years of relevant experience in management, technology development, and innovation.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and technical expertise to the Materials Compatibility team and the Waters, Deposits, and Hydrocarbons Analytical team.
• Lead the team's technical effort under senior leadership guiding science, problem solving, scale-up, and project/people management.
• Ensure associates perform duties safely, meet quality standards, and grow their expertise.
• Provide materials compatibility and analytical support for internal stakeholders and customers.
• Apply performance-management guidelines for setting goals, evaluating and promoting growth, and salary and performance adjustments.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing and Technology to scope projects and identify needs.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Team motivation

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 7 years

Master’s degree + 4 years

PhD + 2 years

Job description

Disclaimer: This position will begin with ChampionX and transition to SLB after acquisition.

We are searching for an RD&E Group Leader for our Diagnostic Solutions team located in Sugar Land, Texas.

As a Group Leader, you will align resources and prioritize projects among your team to ensure targets are met. You will act as a liaison with internal and external customers to define scopes of work and communicate project updates. The ideal candidate is highly versatile, communicates effectively, thrives in a collaborative environment, and has a strong track record of leading project teams to deliver technical solutions to complex problems.

Benefits

• Flexible, independent work environment where you will manage a monthly schedule.
• Access to best‑class resources, tools, and technology.
• Thrive in a company that values a culture of safety, top‑notch safety training, and personal protection equipment.
• Comprehensive benefits package: medical, dental, vision; company‑paid pension plan, tuition reimbursement, and more.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and technical expertise to the Materials Compatibility team and the Waters, Deposits, and Hydrocarbons Analytical team.
• Lead the team's technical effort under the guidance of senior leadership, utilizing experience in fundamental science, oil‑field problem solving, chemical manufacturing/scale‑up support, and project/people management.
• Ensure each associate performs duties safely, meets quality standards, and continues to grow and develop expertise.
• Provide materials compatibility and analytical support for internal stakeholders and the company’s customers.
• Apply performance‑management guidelines for setting performance goals, evaluating and promoting career growth and development, conducting performance appraisals, and recommending salary and performance adjustments.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and Technology teams to scope projects and identify needs/gaps to feed future projects.
• Work closely with team members to help ensure effective and efficient operations.
• Engage with key stakeholders to forecast sample and project demand to enable effective resource allocation to meet business timelines.
• Identify opportunities for third‑party testing to reduce sample backlogs and expand testing capabilities as needed.
• Manage several projects at once while working in a fast‑paced environment.
• Hire and train new team members as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in analytical chemistry, materials science, polymer science, or a related scientific/technical discipline, along with relevant experience in technology strategy development & implementation, team leadership, and innovation.
• Education and experience levels:
  • Bachelor’s degree and 7 years experience
  • Master’s degree and 4 years experience
  • PhD and 2 years experience
• Five or more years of relevant experience in management, technology development, and innovation areas.
• Track record of successful technology development and leveraging external technology.
• Ability to motivate individuals to operate as part of a high‑functioning team.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Preferred Qualifications

• For the Materials Compatibility team: experience with at least one of the following techniques – tensile, hardness, corrosion‑rate measurement, high‑pressure (2000psi) and high‑temperature (500°F) immersion testing, failure analysis, electrochemistry (critical pitting temperature and anodic cyclic polarization).
• For the Waters, Deposits, and Hydrocarbons Analytical team: experience with common analytical techniques such as ICP, IC, XRF, XRD, SEM, and GC.
• Excellent time‑management skills.
• Excellent written, oral, and visual communication skills.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience with specialty chemicals in the oil & gas industry preferred.

Location

Sugar Land, Texas.

EEO Statement

ChampionX (now part of SLB) believes the best teams are diverse and inclusive. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of employees and applicants on the basis of individual qualifications and job performance, and we will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran.