Sr. Scientist – Coatings Regulatory & Technology

021 Kaiser Aluminum Warrick, LLC; Newburgh (IN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry leading compensation

401K vesting from day 1

Relocation assistance

Generous vacation plan

Job summary

Kaiser Aluminum Warrick, LLC in Newburgh, IN, is seeking a Sr. Scientist – Coatings Regulatory & Technology to lead regulatory compliance and advanced coating development for Warrick products. The role demands technical leadership in coating performance, packaging materials, and customer applications, reporting to the R&D Manager.

The ideal candidate has a Ph.D./M.S. in a relevant science/engineering field with 10+ years in coatings, packaging, or related areas and proven success in FDA

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of coatings chemistry, surface treatments, and metal substrates.
• Knowledge of coating application processes to metal substrate.
• Strong understanding of food-contact regulations (FDA, EU, Global).
• Knowledge of testing methods, qualification protocols, and compliance systems.

Responsibilities

• Full accountability for FDA and food-contact regulatory compliance (US, EU, global).
• Lead coating development programs and customer qualifications.
• Define coating design rules, selection criteria, and solve complex issues.
• Interface with customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies.

Skills

Coatings chemistry

Surface treatments

Coating application

Regulatory knowledge (FDA/food-contact

Problem solving

Leadership & communication

Education

Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemistry/Materials Science/Chemical Engineering

Job description

Kaiser Aluminum Warrick has been on the path of innovation, embracing the latest technologies for almost 60 years! We have revolutionized the industry and lead the way in the development of sustainable aluminum products the you use every day for food and drinks. Our people are the bedrock for our operations. Along with their dedication to excellence and integrity, our people are drivers of continuous improvement who build on new ideas while flourishing within our growing business. We provide opportunities for you to think outside the box and bring creative and progressive solutions to our operations. Our passion for inclusion, diversity and equity is a value at the core of our organization and people. Are you ready to start your journey with us and be the future of Kaiser Warrick Aluminum? Kaiser Aluminum is known around the world for its superior quality. Our secret is what we put into it—innovative thinking, industry-leading reliability, and a world-class commitment to customer service. In short, the same qualities we look for in our people. We are seeking an experienced and driven Sr. Scientist - Coatings Regulatory & Technology to join our largest plant operations in Newburgh, IN. The Sr. Scientist – Coatings Regulatory & Technology performs coating development activities for all Warrick products. An expectation of this role is to own regulatory compliance (FDA / food contact / global) for coatings and packaging materials and provide technical leadership in coating development, performance, and customer application. The primary purpose of this role is twofold: Own regulatory compliance (FDA / food contact / global) for coatings and packaging materials. Provide technical leadership in coating development, performance, and customer application This position reports directly to Research and Development Manager.

What’s in it for you!

• Industry leading compensation program.
• 401K options that begin vesting day 1.
• First-rate vacation plan for valuable work-life balance.
• Relocation assistance for new team members.

The role is accountable for:

• Regulatory qualification and certification of all Warrick supplied products
• Technical guidance and decision-making on coating selection, performance, and failure modes
• Integration of regulatory requirements into product development and manufacturing

Additionally, the position serves as:

• A senior technical authority for coatings, coating application and packaging systems
• A key interface with customers, suppliers, and Industry Organizations
• A leader of Advanced Engineering coating programs and testing capabilities

Major Activities / Key Challenges

Regulatory & Compliance Leadership

• Full accountability for FDA and food-contact regulatory compliance (U.S., EU, global) programs
• Conduct raw material reviews and determine testing requirements
• Issue certification letters to customers (FDA, FCN, EU, Prop 65, etc.)
• Lead FDA audits and regulatory training
• Track emerging global regulations via industry organizations

Technical Leadership – Coatings

• Act as subject matter expert for:
  • Pre-treatment
  • Coating chemistry
  • Coating application
  • Performance
  • failure modes, and process sensitivities
• Define coating design rules and selection criteria
• Solve complex customer or production-related technical issues

Product & Process Development

• Lead coating development programs (e.g., BPA-NI, sustainability initiatives)
• Support conversion projects and customer qualifications
• Ensure compatibility across: Manufacturing Forming/filling Regulatory requirements Project & Portfolio Leadership

External Interface Serve as senior technical contact for:

• Customers (qualification, troubleshooting)
• Suppliers (coating development, scale-up)
• Industry organizations. Represent the organization in technical and regulatory discussions

Intellectual Property & Strategy

• Manage Warrick IP strategy and execution
• Coordinate with legal on patent filings, office actions, and portfolio optimization

Key Challenges

• Balancing innovation vs regulatory constraints
• Managing global regulatory uncertainty (FDA vs EU divergence)
• Maintaining technical credibility with customers and suppliers
• Preventing loss of critical tacit knowledge during transition
• Integrating regulatory requirements early in development

Essential Knowledge & Skills / Education

• Technical Expertise: Advanced knowledge of coatings chemistry, surface treatments, and metal substrates
• Knowledge of coating application processes to metal substrate
• Strong understanding of food-contact regulations (FDA, EU, Global)
• Knowledge of testing methods, qualification protocols, and compliance systems
• Knowledge of customers package forming processes

• Core Competencies: Ability to interpret complex regulations and translate into technical actions
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capability
• Ability to work independently with high accountability
• Strategic thinking and decision-making

• Leadership & Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication skills (technical + executive level)
• Ability to influence across functions and external stakeholders
• Proven capability to mentor and develop technical talent
• Ability to interface with customers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies

• Education: Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or related field (preferred)

Key Packaging Customers

• Advanced Engineering (AE) and Customer and Product Quality Assurance (CPQA) Teams
• Warrick Operations and Process Technology Teams
• Coating Suppliers (PPG, AkzoNobel, Sherwin-Williams, etc.)
• Key Packaging Customers (Crown, Ball, Ardagh, Silgan, etc.)
• Industry organizations.

Basic / Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Science or Engineering (Chemistry preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in coatings, packaging, or related field
• Demonstrated experience with FDA or food-contact regulations
• Proven ability to lead technical programs and cross-functional projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience in customer and supplier interactions

FINANCIAL INDICATORS

• Impact: High impact on: Product qualification and revenue continuity Customer approvals and retention Risk mitigation (regulatory and liability)
• Scope: Global / Multi-region (US + EU regulatory scope)

TEAM KAISER

Talented people join our team because we are a company passionate about environmental sustainability, employee growth, contributing back to our communities and championing a diverse and inclusive culture. We are strongly committed to expanding inclusion, equity, and diversity – how we hire, develop, and inspire our diverse team members that reflects and relates to the increasingly multicultural community.

Kaiser Aluminum encourages applications from women, people of diverse backgrounds and those with different skills and life experiences. Kaiser is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

Kaiser Aluminum encourages applications from women, people of diverse backgrounds and those with different skills and life experiences. Kaiser is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

Kaiser Aluminum Corporation is a leading producer of semi-fabricated aluminum products. Manufacturers and major suppliers around the world look to Kaiser to deliver highly engineered solutions for their most demanding aerospace, automotive and industrial applications. The reason is simple: we adhere to the same strong commitments to quality, innovation and service today as when the company was founded in 1946. Kaiser operates 12 production facilities across North America. Collectively, these facilities allow us to produce an impressive range of value-added plate, sheet, and extruded products. This latter category includes extruded shapes as well as rod, bar, tube, forged stock and wire products. Each of our facilities specializes in manufacturing products for specific industries, allowing us to not only develop a deeper understanding of each market but also differentiate our processes to more efficiently meet the needs of our customers operating in those markets. Our commitment to continuous improvement is a big reason customers turn to Kaiser Aluminum time and again to deliver effective, innovative solutions. In fact, many customers have been with us since our founding. The fact is, our customers know there’s something different about the way we do things at Kaiser. They recognize our dedication to developing leading-edge solutions is backed by an uncommon commitment to good old-fashioned customer service and an uncompromising passion for exceeding expectations. It’s not an experience that’s easy to find these days. But it is The Kaiser Experience.