Senior Polymer Chemist

PIP Global Safety; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

PIP Global Safety seeks a Senior Polymer Chemist to lead elastomer formulation and development for high‑dielectric insulating gloves and sleeves. You will drive material science strategies, partner with R&D and manufacturing, and ensure regulatory compliance while delivering scalable, reliable formulations.

You will guide testing, optimize properties, and stay current on polymer science advances to support product performance and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of experience in elastomer formulation and development.
• Master's degree or PhD in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field.
• Experience with rubber compounding and curing systems (sulfur, peroxide, etc.).
• Experience with dielectric or insulating material applications.
• Strong understanding of structure–property relationships in elastomers and rheology.
• Experience supporting manufacturing scale-up.

Responsibilities

• Lead formulation of elastomer compounds and optimize for dielectric strength and mechanical durability.
• Collaborate with manufacturing to scale formulations from lab to production.
• Oversee testing protocols for dielectric breakdown, aging, and physical properties.
• Provide technical leadership and mentor junior chemists and lab techs.
• Interfacing with suppliers to evaluate new materials and technologies.

Skills

Elastomer formulation

Rheology & cure kinetics

Laboratory testing

Rubber compounding

Manufacturing scale-up

Education

Master's or PhD in Polymer Chemistry or Materials Science

Tools

DSC

TGA

Dielectric testing

MDR

Tensile testing

Job description

Location: North Charleston, South Carolina

Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates.

The Senior Polymer Chemist will lead the development, formulation, and optimization of elastomeric materials used in electrical safety products, including insulating gloves and sleeves. This role will serve as a technical leader across R&D and manufacturing, driving innovation in low dielectric, high-performance rubber systems while ensuring compliance with applicable safety and performance standards. This role will also play a critical role in bridging material science, process engineering, and product performance, with a strong focus on scalable formulations, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

This is an onsite position in North Charleston, SC.

Job Responsibilities

Formulation & Material Development

• Lead formulation of elastomer compounds using materials such as, Natural Rubber (NR), Bromo butyl / Butyl Rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomers
• Optimize formulations for dielectric strength / electrical insulation performance, mechanical durability (tensile, elongation, tear resistance) and environmental resistance (ozone, heat, moisture, chemicals)
• Evaluate additives including curatives, accelerators, plasticizers, fillers, and stabilizers

Process & Manufacturing Integration

• Partner with manufacturing teams to scale formulations from lab to production
• Support mixing, calendaring, dipping, and curing processes
• Troubleshoot processing issues (e.g., viscosity control, dispersion, cure kinetics)
• Drive continuous improvement in yield, scrap reduction, and cycle times

Product Performance & Compliance

• Ensure materials meet applicable industry standards (e.g., ASTM, IEC for electrical PPE)
• Lead testing protocols for dielectric breakdown, aging, and physical properties
• Support certification and audit processes related to security compliance

Technical Leadership

• Act as a subject matter expert for elastomer chemistry across the organization
• Mentor junior chemists and lab technicians
• Interface with suppliers to evaluate new raw materials and technologies
• Provide technical input to product development, sourcing, and quality teams

Innovation & Strategy

• Identify opportunities for next-generation materials (e.g., improved flexibility, lighter weight, enhanced dielectric properties)
• Stay current on advancements in polymer science and electrical insulation materials
• Support IP development, where applicable

Requirements

• Five or more years of experience and a Master's degree or a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field, with deep experience in elastomer formulation and development.
• Prior experience with rubber compounding and curing systems (sulfur, peroxide, etc.)
• Prior experience with dielectric or insulating material applications
• Strong understanding of Structure-property relationships in elastomers and rheology, cure kinetics, and compound processing with elastomeric materials
• Experience with lab instrumentation (e.g., MDR, DSC, TGA, tensile testing, dielectric testing)
• Experience supporting manufacturing scale-up