RD&E Group Leader

ChampionX; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Safety training

Company-paid pension

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

ChampionX, now part of SLB, is seeking an RD&E Group Leader for the Diagnostic Solutions team in Sugar Land, Texas. You will align resources, prioritize projects, and serve as a liaison with customers to define scopes and provide updates.

You will lead Materials Compatibility and Waters, Deposits & Hydrocarbons Analytics teams, drive safety, quality, and talent development, and collaborate with Sales, Marketing and Tech to scope future work.

Qualifications

• Degree in analytical chemistry or materials science with leadership experience.
• 7+ years in management, technology development or innovation.
• Willingness to travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and technical guidance to the Materials Compatibility and Waters, Deposits, and Hydrocarbons Analytics teams.
• Lead projects under senior leadership, applying fundamental science to oilfield challenges.
• Ensure safety, quality, productivity, and talent development across teams.
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing and Technology to scope projects and identify needs.
• Hire and train new team members and manage multiple projects.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Team building

Technical leadership

Communication

Education

Analytical chemistry / materials science degree

Tools

ICP

IC

XRF

XRD

SEM

GC

Job description

Disclaimer: SLB completed the acquisition of ChampionX on July 16, 2025. If selected for this position, your employment will begin with ChampionX and will transition to SLB as part of the planned integration.

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 amongst 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.

What's in it For You

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

What You Will Do

In this role, as RD&E Group Leader for the Diagnostic Solutions team, your primary responsibility is assisting and enabling your teams to provide materials compatibility and analytical support for our customers and researchers. This is a leadership position, and the successful candidate will be responsible for the safety, quality, productivity and talent development of their teams.

Main 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 the 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 in a safe and efficient manner, maintains 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 within a fast-paced environment
• Hire and train new team members as needed

Position Details

This position is located in Sugar Land, Texas.

Minimum Qualifications

• Degree in analytical chemistry, materials science, polymer science or related scientific/technical discipline (required, and relevant experience including technology strategy development & implementation, leading & developing teams, and driving innovation.
• Education and experience should fall in one of the following levels: Bachelors degree and 7 years experience; OR Masters degree and 4 years experience; OR PhD and 2 years experience Five or more years of relevant experiences in management, technology development and innovation areas.
• Requires track record of successful technology development and leveraging of external technology.
• Ability to motivate individuals to operate as a 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 is highly desired: Tensile, Hardness, measurement of corrosion rates, high pressure (2000 psi), 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 is highly desired.
• Excellent time management skills
• Excellent written, oral, and visual communication skills to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization, both within and outside the business
• Previous supervisory experience is preferred
• Experience with Specialty Chemicals in the Oil & Gas industry is preferred

About Us

ChampionX is now part of SLB, a global technology company driving energy innovation for a balanced planet. As innovators, that’s…We are a technology company that unlocks access to energy for the benefit of all. As innovators, that’s…Today, we face a global imperative to create a future with more energy, but less carbon. Our diverse, innovative change makers are focused on going further in innovation and inventing the new energy technologies we need to get there. For more news and information, visit SLB.com. Follow us on Facebook at @WeAreSLBGlobal, LinkedIn: SLBGlobal, or Instagram at @SLBGlobal. Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion We believe the best teams are diverse and inclusive, and we are on a journey to create a workplace where every employee can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of employees and applicants. We recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement on the basis of individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran.

ChampionX is now part of SLB, a global technology company driving energy innovation for a balanced planet. As innovators, that’s…We are a technology company that unlocks access to energy for the benefit of all. As innovators, that’s…Today, we face a global imperative to create a future with more energy, but less carbon. Our diverse, innovative change makers are focused on going further in innovation and inventing the new energy technologies we need to get there. For more news and information, visit SLB.com. Follow us on Facebook at @WeAreSLBGlobal, LinkedIn: SLBGlobal, or Instagram at @SLBGlobal.