Senior Chemist

Sika AG; Madison Heights (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with generous company match

Bonuses

Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits

Paid Parental Leave

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays

Floating Holidays + Paid VolunteerTime

Wellness/Fitness Reimbursements

Education Assistance

Professional Development Opportunities

Employee Referral Program & More!

Job summary

Sika AG is seeking a qualified materials scientist to transfer new products to production and lead projects from idea to product release in the automotive OEM space. You will evaluate materials, apply DOE, and collaborate with customers to define testing criteria and approvals.

The role emphasizes innovation in thermoplastics/thermosets, hotmelt chemistry, and cross-functional leadership, with a focus on quality programs and data-driven decision making.

Qualifications

• BS/MS/PhD in General Sciences required.
• 7+ years in thermoplastics/thermosets for automotive OEM.
• Hotmelt chemistry experience preferred.
• Excellent communication and technical writing skills.
• MS Office proficiency for reporting and presentations.
• DOE and Design FMEA experience in quality programs.
• Proven ability to introduce new chemical concepts to formulation work.

Responsibilities

• Transfer new products/technologies to production.
• Evaluate competitive technologies, new raw materials, and processes.
• Manage projects from idea to product release.
• Review proposals and perform feasibility studies.
• Apply advanced analytical methods (rheology, spectroscopy) in projects.
• Lead customer interaction and testing criteria negotiation.
• Visit plants to provide technical solutions.
• Utilize patent literature and publish proposals.
• Identify equipment needs and execute project plans.

Skills

Thermoplastics

Thermosets

DOE

FMEA

Six Sigma

Automotive OEM

New chemical concepts

Education

BS/MS/PhD in General Sciences

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Company Description

With more than 100 years of experience, Sika is a worldwide innovation and sustainability leader in the development and production of systems and products for commercial and residential construction, as well as the transportation, marine, automotive, and renewable energy manufacturing industries.

Sika is a specialty chemical company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in the building sector and industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 103 countries around the world, produces in over 400 factories, and develops innovative technologies for customers worldwide. In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and transportation industries toward greater environmental compatibility. Approximately 33,000 employees generated CHF11.20 billion in sales in 2025.

Roles & Opportunities

Apply technical competence and knowledge based on past experiences to generate new ideas that leads to innovative and proprietary products. Implement literature finding and introduce new chemical concepts into work. Propose and conduct technology creation projects in order to create new building blocks. Fundamental understanding of raw material properties.

Job Description

• Responsible for transferring new products/technologies to production.
• Evaluate competitive technologies, new raw materials and new processes
• Responsible for managing assigned projects from idea proposal to product release
• Review Idea Proposal and perform feasibility study per PCP process
• Systematical experimentation using DOE and other statistical methods in evaluating data
• Quality tools per IATF and Six sigma actively implemented in cross functional exchange
• Conduct experiments to identify BMAP and FMEA criteria and countermeasures for new products
• Contact raw material suppliers and identify potential new materials or technologies for Sika
• Lead customer interaction and negotiate specification testing criteria and gain material approval
• Visit assembly plants and provide technical solutions to customers
• Utilizes patent literature in project work and publish research proposals, field test proposals tec.
• Identifies Equipment needed for new programs and executes RPA
• Recommend and champion solutions/products/formulations
• Apply and interpret advanced analytical methods (rheology, spectroscopy, etc.) in project work

Qualifications

• BS, MS, or PhD. degree in General Sciences
• Minimum of 7 years experiences in thermoplastics, thermosets in automotive OEM market.
• Preferred experience in Hotmelt Chemistry.
• Excellent oral communication, technical writing skills and presentation skills
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point or equivalent
• Experience in DOE, Design FMEA and other quality programs
• Proven track record of introducing new chemical concepts to formulation work

Additional Information

Perks & Benefits

• 401K with generous company match
• Bonuses
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• Paid Parental Leave
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays
• Floating Holidays + Paid Volunteer Time
• Wellness/Fitness Reimbursements
• Education Assistance
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Employee Referral Program & More!

Sika fosters a culture of entrepreneurship, empowering each individual to make decisions, learn from experiences, and shape their own career path. The safety and well-being of employees are top priorities at Sika, with a strong commitment to open communication and maintaining a safe workplace. In addition, Sika actively contributes to the community and promotes sustainability by giving back, minimizing environmental impact, and embracing social responsibility.

We offer competitive salaries, aligned with local market benchmarks and the specific scope and responsibilities of each role. Compensation is determined based on skills relevant to the position, education, and or training. We are committed to fair and equitable pay practices in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Sika Corporation is committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals that apply. As an equal opportunity employer Sika will consider all qualified applicants without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, national or ethnic origin, or other protected characteristics.

We offer competitive salaries, aligned with local market benchmarks and the specific scope and responsibilities of each role. Compensation is determined based skills relevant to the position, education and/or training. We are committed to fair and equitable pay practices in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.