Synthetic Industrial Chemist

Leidos; United States; On-site; USD 59,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos in the Defense Sector seeks a Synthetic Chemist to work at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, bridging research and practical application by designing, synthesizing, scaling, and characterizing novel materials, with a focus on polymers and advanced systems.

You will design and scale polymer syntheses, perform characterization (GPC, DSC, TGA, NMR, FTIR), and translate results into SOPs, reports, and proposals, while collaborating in a multidisciplinary team. US citizenship is required.

Qualifications

• BS/MS in Organic or Polymer Chemistry with 2–6 years industrial R&D experience.
• Experience in organic and/or polymer synthesis (free radical, condensation, ROMP) or advanced materials.
• Hands-on with analytical/physical characterization of polymers and organics (HPLC/GPC; NMR/FTIR).
• Strong experimental design, troubleshooting, and documentation.
• Ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team; US Citizenship required.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute novel synthetic approaches for polymers and materials.
• Perform scale-up studies to move bench to pilot/large-scale production.
• Conduct literature searches and patent reviews.
• Develop environmentally sustainable synthesis and processing methods.
• Characterize polymers using analytical methods (GPC/SEC, DSC, TGA, FTIR, NMR).
• Prepare technical reports, SOPs, and presentations; contribute to proposals.

Skills

Organic synthesis

Polymer synthesis

Analytical characterization

Chromatography (HPLC, GPC)

NMR/FTIR characterization

Data documentation

Education

BS/MS in Organic or Polymer Chemistry

Tools

GPC

NMR

FTIR

DSC

TGA

Job description

The Defense Sector at Leidos currently has an opening for a Synthetic Chemist to work at our Picatinny Arsenal, NJ site.

In this role, you will bridge the gap between innovative research and practical application by conducting the design, synthesis, scale-up, and characterization of novel materials, with a strong focus on advanced polymer systems.

Primary Responsibilities

Design and execute novel synthetic approaches to develop new materials, with a particular focus on polymers, macromolecules, and functional binders.

Conduct process optimization, formulation, and scale-up studies to transition bench-scale polymer and material synthesis into pilot-scale or large-scale production.

Perform ongoing literature searches and patent reviews to maintain deep awareness of the latest industrial ingredients, polymerization processes, and material science techniques.

Develop alternate, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable methods for the synthesis and processing of existing materials.

Characterize polymers and synthetic materials utilizing state-of-the‑art analytical, physical, and mechanical testing techniques (e.g., GPC/SEC, DSC, TGA, FTIR, NMR, and rheology).

Translate research into actionable data by preparing technical reports, standard operating procedures (SOPs), publications, and presentations.

Formulate novel research ideas and actively contribute to technical proposals for future R&D initiatives.

Basic Qualifications

BS/MS in Organic or Polymer Chemistry, with 2–6 years of relevant experience in an industrial R&D or manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated experience in organic and/or polymer synthesis (e.g., free radical, condensation, ring‑opening polymerization) or advanced materials development.

Hands‑on experience with analytical and physical characterization methods for polymers and organic molecules, including chromatographic (HPLC, GPC) and spectroscopic (NMR, FTIR) techniques.

Strong research mindset with a proven ability to design experiments, troubleshoot synthetic pathways, and document findings systematically.

Ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary, team‑based environment

US Citizenship required.

Preferred Qualifications

M.S. or higher degree in Polymer or Organic Chemistry.

Experience in the defense sector or knowledge of energetic materials, polymer‑bonded explosives (PBXs), or specialized binders is a significant plus.

Familiarity with pilot‑plant operations, chemical safety protocols (HAZOP), or scale‑up engineering principles

If you’re looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting

September 21, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range

Pay Range $59,150.00 - $106,925.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.