Sr. Scientist

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

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 work schedule

Job summary

INVISTA seeks a Sr. Scientist to join our Katy Technology Center, driving both product and process development through hands-on experimental work, analytical testing, and DOE-driven optimization. You will lead laboratory-to-pilot scale activities, mentor teammates, and ensure safety and quality across experiments in Texas.

The role emphasizes lab execution, data interpretation, and close collaboration with cross-location teams to advance research from concept to scalable implementation.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in an R&D environment.
• Demonstrated experience conducting hands-on experimental research and analytical testing.
• Experience interpreting analytical data and experimental results.
• Experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining laboratory-scale experimental equipment and instrumentation.
• Experience with laboratory sample preparation, analytical method execution, and documentation of experimental work.
• Demonstrated ability to safely handle hazardous chemicals and operate experimental systems in accordance with established safety practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Design, plan, and execute laboratory and pilot-scale experiments supporting product and process development efforts.
• Conduct hands-on experimental work involving wet chemistry and air-sensitive or air-free chemistry techniques.
• Support the development, operation, optimization, troubleshooting, and maintenance of laboratory, pre-pilot, pilot-scale, and semi-works equipment and processes.
• Construct, modify, troubleshoot, and maintain experimental systems and apparatus, including reaction vessels, columns, autoclaves, heat exchange systems, pumps, and related equipment.
• Perform sample preparation, separation, derivatization, quantitative analysis, and analytical testing using GC, LC/HPLC, NMR, and related laboratory instrumentation.
• Maintain thorough documentation of experimental work, including procedures, operating instructions, experimental records, statistical analyses, interpretation of results, technical reports, and recommendations.
• Develop and document detailed procedures that support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of experimental equipment and systems.
• Apply design of experiments (DOE) methodologies and advanced experimental planning techniques to improve research effectiveness and generate actionable insights.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and communicate experimental results, including recommendations for future work and the value created through research activities.
• Partner with scientists, technologists, business leaders, and technical teams across multiple locations to advance research objectives.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to colleagues while helping develop team capabilities.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental, health, and safety responsibilities.
• Work in laboratory, pilot-scale, and semi-works environments while utilizing required PPE.

Skills

Hands-on experimental research

Analytical testing

Data interpretation

Laboratory execution

DOE methodologies

Mentoring teammates

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or related field

Tools

GC

LC/HPLC

NMR

Schlenk line

Glove box

Job description

Your Job

INVISTA is seeking a Sr. Scientist to join our Katy Technology Center team. This role will support both product development and process development initiatives through hands-on experimental research, analytical testing, process optimization, and scale-up activities. The successful candidate will combine experimental design and technical leadership with strong laboratory execution, analytical capabilities, and operational excellence to advance research objectives from concept through larger-scale implementation.

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

Our Team

Our team is focused on transforming laboratory concepts into larger-scale experimental processes. The group includes scientists and experimental technologists supporting bench-scale, pilot-scale, and semi-works activities. Team members conduct experimental research, build and operate experimental systems, perform analytical testing, evaluate process performance, and develop new technologies. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with scientists, technologists, business leaders, and specialty groups across the organization while working primarily from the Texas Technology Center.

What You Will Do

• Design, plan, and execute laboratory and pilot-scale experiments supporting product and process development efforts.
• Conduct hands-on experimental work involving wet chemistry and air-sensitive or air-free chemistry techniques, including manipulation of air- and moisture-sensitive materials using Schlenk line and/or glove box techniques.
• Support the development, operation, optimization, troubleshooting, and maintenance of laboratory, pre-pilot, pilot-scale, and semi-works equipment and processes.
• Construct, modify, troubleshoot, and maintain experimental systems and apparatus, including reaction vessels, columns, autoclaves, heat exchange systems, pumps, and related equipment.
• Perform sample preparation, separation, derivatization, quantitative analysis, and analytical testing using techniques such as GC, LC/HPLC, NMR, and related laboratory instrumentation.
• Maintain thorough documentation of experimental work, including procedures, operating instructions, experimental records, statistical analyses, interpretation of results, technical reports, and recommendations for achieving research objectives.
• Develop and document detailed procedures that support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of experimental equipment and systems.
• Apply design of experiments (DOE) methodologies and advanced experimental planning techniques to improve research effectiveness and generate actionable insights.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and communicate experimental results, including recommendations for future work and the value created through research activities.
• Partner with scientists, technologists, business leaders, and technical teams across multiple locations to advance research objectives.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to colleagues while helping develop team capabilities.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to environmental, health, and safety responsibilities, including adherence to safe work practices for handling hazardous, flammable, corrosive, and toxic materials and operation of experimental equipment and systems.
• Work in laboratory, pilot-scale, and semi-works environments while utilizing required PPE, including safety glasses, goggles, fire-resistant clothing, respirators, breathing air, hearing protection, and other task-specific protective equipment.
• Perform physical activities associated with laboratory and pilot-scale operations, including lifting up to 50 pounds.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• 5+ years of experience in an R&D environment.
• Demonstrated experience conducting hands-on experimental research and analytical testing.
• Experience interpreting analytical data and experimental results.
• Experience operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining laboratory-scale experimental equipment and instrumentation.
• Experience with laboratory sample preparation, analytical method execution, and documentation of experimental work.
• Demonstrated ability to safely handle hazardous chemicals and operate experimental systems in accordance with established safety practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or another relevant scientific discipline.
• Experience building, modifying, troubleshooting, and maintaining experimental systems and equipment.
• Experience applying design of experiments methodologies and advanced experimental planning techniques.
• Experience developing operating procedures and technical documentation for laboratory and pilot-scale equipment.
• Familiarity with industrial research environments that bridge laboratory development and commercial-scale processes.
• Experience communicating technical findings and recommendations to diverse technical and business stakeholders.

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

As a Koch company, INVISTA has a long history of working to make the world around you a better place. From parts for the automotive industry to medical equipment, air bags, food packaging and clothing, our ingredients in the nylon 6,6 and polypropylene value chains help bring many of life's essential products to market.

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 Benefits

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 Opportunities

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.