Scientist

Axalta; Shanghai (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading coatings industry company seeks a Scientist in Shanghai, VA to develop and optimize product recipes while ensuring customer specifications are met. The role requires collaboration with various teams and at least 3 years of coating experience, preferably in OEM development. Candidates should have a B.S. in Chemistry or equivalent experience and strong problem-solving skills. The position offers an opportunity to influence product quality and profitability.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of coating experience, ideally with OEM coating development experience.
• Good verbal and written English language skills preferred.
• Knowledge and skills in functional competences and capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop/optimize recipes for products following the APQP process.
• Collaborate with the operations team to ensure products are aligned for production.
• Lead or participate in problem-solving of customer issues.

Skills

Coating experience

Project management

Problem-solving

Computer skills

Teamwork

Education

B.S. in Chemistry or related field

Job description

Scientist Role at Axalta

Working as customer support scientist in the OEM Business Technology Team, to develop and maintain cost‑effective, high quality products for our customers that can be manufactured efficiently in Operations by understanding our formulating practices, customer specifications, and test methods, working with Operations to transfer products smoothly into production and following our quality procedures to ensure continuous improvement.

Objective

Develop, optimize, and maintain product recipes while ensuring alignment with customers’ specifications and cost targets.

Job Description

As a customer support scientist, you will work closely with Operations, the application team, and account teams to bring new and modified products from lab to line safely and efficiently, while driving technical excellence and profitability.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop/optimize recipes for products following the APQP process, including preparation of lab samples and sufficient testing to demonstrate fulfillment of customer specifications and color requirements.
• Create cost‑effective recipes that meet customer requirements while utilizing low‑cost materials.
• Understand how recipe cost impacts the profitability of the company.
• Collaborate with the operations team and other functions to ensure new or modified products are aligned (scale‑up) into production.
• Work with the application team to develop line simulation parameters so that line trials and product introductions are right the first time.
• Communicate with account teams to keep all project members fully up‑to‑date on technical progress.
• When relevant, identify suitable rework routes to support non‑productive inventory reduction with product quality control.
• Keep test specifications and methods up‑to‑date, develop new specifications and methods as needed, and aim to minimize the amount of testing required to meet customer specifications.
• Analyze and document results, preparing technical reports, examinations, and summaries.
• Ensure all project documentation is completed properly and available for internal or external quality audits.
• Attend line trials of new product launches at customer sites.
• Lead or actively participate in problem‑solving of customer issues using appropriate methodologies, e.g., 8D.
• Understand the process overview, specific hazards related to safety, health, and environment, operation procedures, and safety practices related to work tasks.

Key Job Requirements

• 3+ years of coating experience, ideally with OEM coating development experience.
• Knowledge and skills in functional competences and capabilities.
• B.S. in Chemistry or a related field, or equivalent coating research/development experience.
• Project management and problem‑solving skills.
• Good computer skills, including office software, database, and statistics.
• Good verbal and written English language skills preferred.
• Teamwork and collaboration are important.

Our Company

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products—whether they battle heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals—and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. Our portfolio spans from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.

Axalta operates in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, serving four end markets—Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle, and Commercial Vehicle—across North America, EMEA, Latin America, and Asia‑Pacific. With a global footprint in over 140+ countries, we coat 30 million vehicles per year. We’ve set an ambitious 2040 carbon neutrality goal alongside 10 other sustainability initiatives and take pride in working with customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.

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