Senior Battery Separator Development Scientist

NPAworldwide; Johnson City (TN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

NPAworldwide is seeking a Development Chemist to advance battery separator technologies for lead‑acid systems. The role focuses on PE and AGM materials, optimizing extrusion, pore formation, and coating processes, and validating performance from lab to pilot scale.

You will apply DOE/EVOP methodologies, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive IP protection while traveling to internal plants and conferences to support product deployment.

Qualifications

• BS and/or MS in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or Chemistry.
• 5+ years of development experience with polymers, porous membranes, or separator technology.
• Strong understanding of polymer physics, surface chemistry, and electrochemical transport in porous materials.
• Hands-on capability with extrusion, polymer compounding, and coating technologies.
• Experience with PE separators, AGM materials, silica-filled rubber separators, and autoclaved vulcanized rubber separators.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and synthesis of new, high-performance battery separator materials.
• Optimize manufacturing processes including extrusion, pore formation, and coating technologies.
• Use DOE to structure and execute testing protocols to evaluate separator attributes.
• Lead programs for incremental product and quality improvements using DOE and EVOP.
• Collaborate with cell developers to integrate new separators into prototype cells and conduct tests.
• Utilize advanced analytical equipment to analyze material microstructure and failure mechanisms.
• Transfer new products from laboratory into pilot-scale and commercial production.
• Write technical reports, SOPs, and conference materials and present findings.
• Ensure safety and IP protection; promote a zero-incident culture.
• Travel domestically and internationally to plants, customers, and conferences.

Tools

Extrusion

Polymer coating

Porosimetry

Job description

NPAworldwide is seeking a Development Chemist to advance battery separator technologies for lead‑acid systems. The role focuses on PE and AGM materials, optimizing extrusion, pore formation, and coating processes, and validating performance from lab to pilot scale.

You will apply DOE/EVOP methodologies, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive IP protection while traveling to internal plants and conferences to support product deployment.