Sr Research Scientist (Wood) - Research & Development Job

Armstrong World Industries; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Sr Research Scientist to lead innovative product development in wood and composite materials. This role offers the chance to collaborate with cross-functional teams, driving projects from ideation to commercialization while focusing on sustainability and performance. You'll have the opportunity to contribute to intellectual property and influence industry standards, all within a supportive culture that values your input. Join a company committed to excellence and innovation, and make a meaningful impact in the building materials industry.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

401k Match

Life Insurance

Long-term Disability Coverage

Vacation and Sick Time

Product Discount Programs

Fitness Center Access

Lunchtime Cafe

Recognition Programs

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of industrial experience in wood products or building materials development.
• Strong understanding of wood physical properties and composites.
• Hands-on experience with ASTM test methods and product certification.

Responsibilities

• Drive development of wood and wood-composite products from ideation to market.
• Lead cross-functional projects and mentor junior scientists.
• Ensure new product designs meet commercial construction practices.

Skills

Wood Science

Materials Science

Mechanical Engineering

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Wood Science

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Materials Science

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Agile project management tools

BIM tools

CAD tools

Job description

Sr Research Scientist (Wood) - Research & Development Job

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Sr Research Scientist (Wood) - Research & Development Job

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Join to apply for the Sr Research Scientist (Wood) - Research & Development Job role at Armstrong World Industries

Primary location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Relocation offered: No

Employment status: Full-Time

Travel: <10%

Non-compete: No

The estimated base salary range for this role is “$110,000 to $130,000” per year.

Individual pay is based upon location, skills and expertise, experience and other relevant factors

What does it mean to work at Armstrong?

It means being immersed in a supportive culture that recognizes you as a key player in Armstrong's future. We are a large company with a local feel, where you will get to know and collaborate with leadership and your colleagues across the company.

By joining us, you'll have the opportunity to make the most of your potential. Alongside a competitive remuneration package, you will receive:

A benefits package including: medical, dental, prescription drug, life insurance, 401k match, long-term disability coverage, vacation and sick time, product discount programs and many more.

Personal development to grow your career with us based on your strengths and interests.

A casual work environment where we have a recognition program for our team, and service awards. You will also be able to make the most of our fitness center and lunchtime cafe.

A working culture that balances individual achievement with teamwork and collaboration. We draw on each other's strengths and allow for different work styles to build engagement and satisfaction to deliver results.

Located at the Armstrong World Industries headquarters in Lancaster, PA, the Sr. Research Scientist (Wood) – Research & Development will be responsible to lead product development and new product research efforts for wood and wood composite systems. This individual will be responsible for generating high-value product ideas, de-risking technical solutions, and supporting commercialization efforts that align with strategic business needs. The role collaborates closely with various teams within the AWI organization, including R&D, marketing, sales, manufacturing, and external industry organizations to bring innovative, code-compliant, and installation-ready solutions to market.

What’s in it for you?

• Lead the development of advanced wood and composite products with a focus on sustainability, performance, and code compliance, from ideation through commercialization.
• Partner with cross-functional teams across R&D, marketing, manufacturing, sales, and industry organizations to bring impactful solutions to market.
• Contribute to intellectual property development, influence industry standards, and mentor junior scientists in a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
  
  
  

What will you do?

• Drive development of differentiated wood and wood-composite products from ideation through commercialization.
• Assess technical and commercial viability of product ideas; develop business cases and de-risk technologies for successful scale-up.
• Lead or contribute to the development of new materials, constructions, and coatings aligned with sustainability and performance goals.
• Ensure new product designs are compatible with commercial construction practices, code requirements, and installation realities.
• Incorporate feedback from field installation and customer use into continuous improvement of system designs.
• Collaborate with architects, specifiers, and technical sales teams to ensure product adoption through effective specification strategies.
• Support internal and third-party testing, certification, and validation aligned with ASTM, NFPA, UL, IBC, and other applicable standards.
• Represent the company in industry code and standards organizations (e.g., ASTM, ICC, ISO) to influence and stay current with relevant regulatory developments.
• Develop intellectual property and contribute to the company’s innovation pipeline.
• Support manufacturing teams to ensure smooth technology transfer, process scalability, and cost-effective production.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation.
• Demonstrate safety leadership by incorporating AWI’s safety tools into daily work with the goal of an injury free workplace.
• Achieve high standards of 5S & housekeeping in personal and shared workspaces to minimize risks & maximize efficiency.
• Comply to all company EHS and regulatory standards.
• Sustain environmental compliance.
  
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Wood Science, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• 5–10 years of industrial experience in wood products, wood systems, or building materials development.
• Strong understanding of wood physical properties, composites, laminations, and finishing/coating processes.
• Familiarity with commercial construction methods, product installation practices, and building code requirements.
• Hands-on experience with ASTM test methods, product certification processes, and participation in standards organizations is highly preferred.
  
  
  

What will make you successful?

• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects from concept to market.
• Knowledge of product specification in architectural design processes is a plus.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and technical tools; experience with Agile project management is a plus.
  
  
  

What will make you stand out?

• Experience in developing solutions for acoustics, fire performance, sustainability, or embodied carbon reduction.
• Prior involvement in patent development and innovation pipelines.
• Active member or contributor to ASTM, ICC, or other relevant technical bodies.
• Familiarity with BIM, CAD tools, or digital specification platforms.
• Experience working with or for a manufacturing company, preferably in the building products industry.
  
  
  

Travel: Up to 10%

Why should you join Armstrong World Industries?

Armstrong World Industries (AWI) is a leader in the design and manufacture of innovative commercial and residential ceiling, wall and suspension system solutions in the Americas. With approximately $1.3B in revenue, AWI has about 3,600 employees and a manufacturing network of twenty-one facilities in North America.

At home, at work, in healthcare facilities, classrooms, stores, or restaurants, we offer interior solutions that help to enhance comfort, save time, improve building efficiency and overall performance, and create beautiful spaces.

For more than 160 years, we have built our business on trust and integrity. It set us apart then, and it sets us apart now, along with our ability to collaborate with and innovate for the people we're here to serve - our customers, our shareholders, our communities and our employees.

We are committed to developing new and sustainable ceiling solutions, with design and performance possibilities that make a positive difference in spaces where we live, work, learn, heal and play. It's an exciting, rewarding business to be in, and we're committed to continue to grow and prosper for the benefit of all of our stakeholders. We hope you join us.

Our Sustainability Ambition

"Bringing our Purpose to Life" - lead a transformation in the design and building of spaces fit for today and tomorrow.

We are committed to:

• Engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce;
• Transforming buildings from structures that shelter into structures that serve and preserve the health and well-being of people and planet;
• Pursuing sustainable, innovative solutions for spaces where we live, work, learn heal and play;
• Being a catalyst for change with all of our stakeholders; and
• Making a positive difference in the environments and communities we impact.
  
  
  

About the location (Lancaster PA)

Lancaster, PA. A great central location in South Central Pennsylvania, Lancaster is ideally situated for easy access to major metropolitan cities such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and New York City. Lancaster offers a vibrant arts and entertainment community with wonderful historic sites, B&Bs, museums, great shopping, entertainment venues and restaurants.

Armstrong is committed to engaging a diverse, purpose-driven workforce. As part of our dedication to diversity, AWI is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard for race, sex, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at by email at AWI talent acquisition and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

Come and build your future with us and apply today!

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Other

• Industries

  Wholesale Building Materials

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