Senior R&D Specialist

INVISTA; Katy (TX); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

INVISTA is seeking a Senior R&D Specialist – Experimental Operations to join the Katy Technology Center. This hourly role will execute and own safe, reliable laboratory, pilot-scale, and semi-works campaigns supporting product and process development, combining hands-on operations, equipment and controls expertise, and disciplined troubleshooting.

The successful candidate will share knowledge with scientists and technologists while driving scale-up and commercialization through safe,

Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher in chemistry, chemical technology, process technology, engineering technology, chemical engineering, or another relevant technical experience.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in chemical R&D, process development, pilot-plant operations, polymer processing, or related environment.
• Experience building, operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining laboratory, pilot-scale, or process equipment and instrumentation.
• Experience using structured problem-solving methods to diagnose process, equipment, instrumentation, or controls issues and implement effective corrective actions.

Responsibilities

• Execute complex bench-, pilot-, and semi-works experimental campaigns in support of product and process development objectives.
• Translate research objectives into practical experimental plans, equipment configurations, operating procedures, sampling strategies, and success criteria.
• Build, modify, commission, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory and pilot-scale process equipment, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies to identify and resolve process, equipment, instrumentation, controls, and operating issues while implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Generate high-quality, defensible experimental data through disciplined execution, sampling, analysis, traceability, and documentation practices.
• Perform and support analytical testing and sample preparation activities using GC, LC/HPLC, NMR, and other relevant methods.
• Develop and improve standard work processes, procedures, test plans, troubleshooting guides, equipment documentation, and other knowledge-sharing resources that support repeatable execution.
• Serve as a senior technical resource during experimental readiness reviews, hazard assessments, startup activities, campaign execution, and post-run evaluations.
• Share technical expertise and provide hands‑on guidance to scientists and technologists to support safe, effective experimental execution and problem solving.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve safety, reliability, maintainability, data quality, throughput, and technology scale‑up efforts.

Skills

Laboratory operations

Troubleshooting

Process knowledge

Documentation

Education

Associate degree or higher in chemistry/engineering

Tools

Glassware systems

Swagelok fittings

DCS interfaces

Autoclaves

Extrusion systems

Job description

INVISTA is seeking a Senior R&D Specialist – Experimental Operations to join our Katy Technology Center team. This senior hands-on role will execute and own safe, reliable execution of complex laboratory, pilot-scale, and semi-works campaigns supporting product and process development. The successful candidate will combine strong operations capability, equipment and controls expertise, disciplined troubleshooting, and a willingness to share knowledge and coach others.

This hourly role follows a 9/80 schedule, offering a balanced work arrangement with every other Friday off.

Our Team

Our team transforms laboratory concepts into larger-scale experimental processes through bench-scale, pilot-scale, and semi-works research. Scientists and experimental technologists work together to design experiments, build and operate equipment, generate defensible data, troubleshoot process and equipment issues, and develop technologies for scale-up and commercialization. In this role, you will serve as a senior technical resource for the team—partnering across R&D, analytical, controls, maintenance, EHS, operations, and business functions while providing guidance and knowledge sharing with scientists and technologists.

What You Will Do:

• Execute complex bench-, pilot-, and semi-works experimental campaigns in support of product and process development objectives.
• Translate research objectives into practical experimental plans, equipment configurations, operating procedures, sampling strategies, and success criteria.
• Build, modify, commission, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain laboratory and pilot-scale process equipment, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies to identify and resolve process, equipment, instrumentation, controls, and operating issues while implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Generate high-quality, defensible experimental data through disciplined execution, sampling, analysis, traceability, and documentation practices.
• Perform and support analytical testing and sample preparation activities using techniques such as GC, LC/HPLC, NMR, and other relevant methods.
• Develop and improve standard work processes, procedures, test plans, troubleshooting guides, equipment documentation, and other knowledge-sharing resources that support repeatable execution.
• Serve as a senior technical resource during experimental readiness reviews, hazard assessments, startup activities, campaign execution, and post-run evaluations.
• Share technical expertise and provide hands‑on guidance to scientists and technologists to support safe, effective experimental execution and problem solving.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve safety, reliability, maintainability, data quality, throughput, and technology scale‑up efforts.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Associate degree or higher in chemistry, chemical technology, process technology, engineering technology, chemical engineering, or another relevant technical experience.
• 5+ years of relevant hands‑on experience in chemical R&D, process development, pilot‑plant operations, polymer processing, manufacturing support, or a related technical environment.
• Experience building, operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining laboratory, pilot‑scale, or process equipment and instrumentation.
• Experience using structured problem‑solving methods to diagnose process, equipment, instrumentation, or controls issues and implement effective corrective actions.

What Will Put You Ahead

• 8+ years of relevant hands‑on experience in chemical R&D, process development, pilot‑plant operations, polymer processing, manufacturing support, or a related technical environment.
• Experience supporting complex experimental work from planning and equipment readiness through execution, troubleshooting, documentation, and communication of results.
• Experience leading MOC, PSSR, equipment‑readiness, root‑cause analysis, reliability improvement, or technology‑transfer activities.
• Advanced hands‑on experience with glassware systems, Swagelok‑style tubing and fittings, pressure systems, autoclaves, DCS interfaces, extrusion systems, feeders, or pelletizing equipment.
• Demonstrated experience coaching, training, or mentoring early‑career technical personnel in safe work practices, experimental execution, documentation, and problem solving.

This role is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

INVISTA is a global manufacturer of chemical intermediates, polymers and fibers. From parts for the automotive industry to medical equipment, air bags, food packaging, carpet and clothing, our ingredients in the nylon 6,6 and polypropylene value chains help bring many of life’s essential products to market. A subsidiary of Koch Industries since 2004, INVISTA is committed to innovation and responsibly creating more value for its customers and society while consuming fewer resources to make these products. See the bigger picture at INVISTA.com.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify.