Technology Development Manager - US

Lubrizol Corporation; Wickliffe (OH); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

401(k) match

HSA

Paid holidays

Job summary

Lubrizol Corporation seeks a Technology Development Manager to lead R&D on refrigeration compressor lubricants, advancing next‑gen lubricant technologies for reliability, sustainability, and new refrigerants. You’ll drive fundamental research, new product development, and optimization, collaborating with Product Management, Sales, OEM, Regulatory, and Process Technology.

Ideal candidates bring PhD or MS with 8–12+ years in refrigeration lubricants, proven project leadership, and strong

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or MS/BS in chemistry or related field with extensive refrigeration lubricant experience.
• Proven expertise in refrigeration lubricant R&D and performance evaluation.
• Experience supporting OEM qualification programs and data-driven validation.
• Strong knowledge of tribology, phase behavior, and thermodynamics relevant to lubricants.
• Excellent project leadership, planning, budgeting, and stakeholder communication.

Responsibilities

• Serve as SME for refrigeration lubricants, guiding new products and optimizing formulations.
• Lead design and optimization of lubricant formulations with structure-property analysis.
• Collaborate with Synthesis, Process Technology, and External Manufacturing for lifecycle management.
• Translate customer needs into innovative lubricant technologies and development programs.
• Lead projects through Stage Gate, including planning, budgeting, milestones, and risk management.
• Maintain awareness of IP landscape and literature to identify innovation opportunities.

Skills

Refrigeration lubricants

Tribology expertise

Thermodynamic modeling

Project management

Technical communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry

MS in Chemistry

BS in Chemistry

Job description

Shape the Future with Us.

Job type: Full-Time (4 Days Onsite, 1 Day Remote)

Travel: Up to 25%

Location: Greater Cleveland, OH

At Lubrizol, we’re bringing to life the chemistry behind clean water, efficient transportation, reliable infrastructure, critical medicines, and the products people rely on every day through science, sustainability, and a culture of inclusion.

As part of our global team, you’ll be empowered to make a real impact - on your career, your community, and the world around you.

The Technology Development Manager will lead strategic R&D projects focused on the innovation, development, and commercialization of refrigeration compressor lubricants. This role is responsible for advancing next generation lubricant technologies that address evolving industry requirements, including, equipment reliability, durability, environmental sustainability, and compatibility with emerging refrigerants and compressor systems.

Key responsibilities include conducting fundamental research, leading new product development programs, optimizing existing formulations, and translating technical insights into commercially viable solutions. The Technology Development Manager will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including Product Management, Sales, OEM Management, Regulatory, and Process Technology to achieve business objectives and support customer needs.

The ideal candidate will possess strong technical expertise and project leadership skills, with a proven track record of successfully planning and executing complex R&D projects. This individual will be recognized as a subject matter expert in refrigeration compressor lubricants, capable of driving innovation, developing next generation lubricant solutions, identifying future technology trends, and aligning product development strategies with customer requirements and long term business goals.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for refrigeration compressor lubricants, providing technical leadership in the development of new products, optimization of existing formulations, performance evaluation, and resolution of complex technical challenges, while ensuring technologies meet evolving OEM specifications, industry standards, and application performance requirements.
• Lead the design and optimization lubricant formulations through the evaluation of refrigerant-lubricant structure property relationships, including miscibility, solubility, chemical stability, tribological behavior, and additive effectiveness, while validating performance through laboratory and application based testing.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with Synthesis, Process Technology, and External Manufacturing teams to advance next-generation lubricant platforms, ensuring effective Product Development Lifecycle Management through concept development, process scale-up, technology transfer, manufacturing implementation, and commercialization.
• Collaborate extensively with Commercial and OEM Management teams to collectively understand customer requirements, emerging market needs, and strategic business objectives, translating these insights into innovative lubricant technologies and product development programs that deliver differentiated value and drive business growth.
• Lead R&D projects through the Stage Gate development process, including project planning, budgeting, milestone execution, project update/gate reviews, risk management, technical documentation, data and cross-functional collaboration to ensure projects are delivered on time and aligned with business objectives.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of the intellectual property landscape and relevant technical literature to identify innovation opportunities, support technology strategy, and guide product development activities.

Required Qualifications that Enable Your Success

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related and 8+ years of experience in refrigeration lubricants; M.S. in Chemistry or related and 10+ years of experience in refrigeration lubricants; B.S. in Chemistry or related and 12+ years of experience in refrigeration lubricants.
• Proven expertise in refrigeration lubricant research and development, encompassing base oil selection, additive technology, and performance evaluation through laboratory and application testing.
• Demonstrated expertise in supporting OEM qualification programs through experimental design, technical data generation, performance validation, and resolution of application-specific challenges to enable successful adoption of new technologies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of tribology principles and experience utilizing tribological testing methods to evaluate lubricant performance and wear characteristics.
• Working knowledge of thermodynamic modeling and simulation of gas/liquid refrigeration systems.
• Strong understanding of phase behavior, equations of state, and their application to refrigerant and lubricant system design, performance modeling, and analysis.
• Strong project management skills, including project planning, budget management, milestone tracking, risk assessment, resource coordination, and concise reporting of project status, timelines, and deliverables to stakeholders and leadership.
• Strong technical communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific and engineering concepts into clear, actionable information for diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of lubricant synthesis, formulation development, and structure-property relationships is considered a plus.

At Lubrizol, we’re committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment where you can do your best work- whether in a lab, on the production floor, or in a hybrid office setting. Depending on your role, your work environment may include:

• Standing, walking, or operating equipment for extended periods.
• Working in a lab or manufacturing setting with appropriate PPE provided.
• Use of computers and digital tools in an office or hybrid environment.
• Occasional lifting or movement of materials.
• Adherence to rigorous safety protocols and ergonomic standards.

We continuously invest in our facilities and technologies to ensure they support your well-being, productivity, and growth. If you require reasonable accommodation, we are committed to working with you to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience.

Benefits that Empower You

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus plans
• 401(k) match + Age-Weighted Defined Contribution
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid holidays, vacation, and parental leave

Lubrizol: Imagined for Life. Enabled by Science. ™ Delivered by You.

For nearly 100 years, The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, has been at the forefront of innovation to enhance everyday life, advance mobility, and make the modern world work better. Our specialty chemistry solutions—from engine oils, performance coatings, and skincare to medical devices and plumbing systems -are powered by the expertise, passion, and commitment of people like you. We tackle the world’s toughest challenges with science-based solutions, deeply understanding our customers to deliver innovative chemistry and differentiated value.

Our inclusive culture, dedication to safety, and incredible global talent drive our success. Our solutions meet the evolving needs of the modern world- brought to life by science and, most importantly, delivered by you. Whether you're in the lab, on the production floor, or in the office, you'll be part of a team around the world that empowers you to think boldly, drive results, and contribute to solutions that shape a better, more sustainable future.

We win because of you. Let’s build the future together.