Principal Scientist

Fully onsite work model based out of Cleveland, OH - Relocation assistance can be provided

Principal Scientist will report into the VP of R&D and lead the development of innovative products and processes in UV-curable silicone technologies.

Principal Scientist Responsibilities:

• Research, formulation, and optimization of UV silicones for applications across industries such as electronics, healthcare, automotive, and space industry.
• Combine deep technical expertise with leadership abilities to drive innovation and product commercialization.
• Research & Development:
• Lead R&D projects focusing on UV-curable silicone formulations.
• Develop novel chemistries and optimize existing formulations to meet performance and application requirements.
• Evaluate new raw materials and their impact on product performance.
• Product Development:
• Design, formulate, and test UV-curable silicone products.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring products from concept to commercialization.
• Address customer-specific requirements by customizing solutions.
• Process Optimization:
• Innovate and optimize UV-curing processes for improved efficiency and scalability.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure seamless production scale-up.
• Testing & Analysis:
• Conduct analytical and performance testing of UV silicone formulations.
• Troubleshoot and resolve formulation challenges using advanced characterization techniques.
• Leadership & Mentoring:
• Provide technical guidance to junior scientists and technicians.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within the team.
• Documentation & Compliance:
• Maintain accurate records of experiments, formulations, and testing results.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and environmental guidelines.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Principal Scientist Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related field. (Master's degree with extensive experience may be considered.)
• 5+ years of experience specializing in UV-curable silicone systems, including formulation and process development.
• In-depth knowledge of photoinitiators, curing mechanisms, and UV-curing technologies.
• Experience with analytical tools such as FTIR, rheometry, DSC, TGA, and chromatography techniques.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot complex formulation challenges.
• Familiarity with industry-specific applications of UV silicones, such as electronics encapsulation, adhesives, or biomedical devices highly preferred
• Experience in product scale-up and manufacturing processes highly preferred
• Strong project management and communication skills highly preferred