R&D Engineer
Challenge Yourself and Impact the Future!
MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions operates as a business unit of Element Solutions Inc (NYSE: ESI). Element Solutions Inc is a leading specialty chemicals company whose businesses supply a broad range of solutions that enhance the products people use every day.
MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions is a global supplier of industrial metal and plastic finishing chemistries. We primarily design and manufacture chemical systems that protect and decorate surfaces. Our high-performance functional coatings improve resistance to wear and tear, such as hard chrome plating of shock absorbers for cars or provide corrosion resistance for appliance parts. Our decorative performance coatings apply finishes for parts in various end markets such as automotive interiors or jewelry surfaces. As part of our broader sustainable solutions platform, we also provide both chemistry and equipment for turnkey wastewater treatment and recycle and reuse solutions. Our industrial customer base is highly diverse and includes customers in the following end markets: appliances and electronics equipment; automotive parts; industrial parts; plumbing goods; construction equipment and transportation equipment.
We strive to embody the five “Elements of our Culture,” our “5Cs”: Challenge, Commit, Collaborate, Choose and Care. These core values are the foundation of our organization which our employees embrace in their interactions with customers, colleagues and other stakeholders to drive financial performance and create a rewarding work environment.
Who are we looking for?
We're looking for a hands-on R&D Engineer who blends rigorous scientific method with practical scale-up know‑how. You will develop new chemistries and processes, improve existing product lines, and translate lab innovation into reliable, safe, and profitable manufacturing—partnering closely with Product Management, Operations, Quality, Regulatory, and Commercial teams across regions. You are energized by complex problems, grounded in data, and comfortable moving from bench to pilot to plant.
What will you be doing?
Innovation & Development
- Design, execute, and analyze experiments to develop novel formulations, polymers, additives, and process routes aligned to customer and market needs.
- Apply DOE (Design of Experiments), statistical analysis, and mechanistic understanding to optimize performance, cost, and sustainability.
- Create robust technical documentation: experimental plans, lab notebooks, test methods, specifications, and technical reports.
Scale-Up & Manufacturing Transfer
- Translate bench results to pilot and full-scale production, including process mapping, hazard/risk assessments, and control strategies.
- Develop and validate critical process parameters (CPPs) and quality attributes (CQAs); author scale-up protocols and batch records.
- Partner with Operations to troubleshoot yield, quality, and cycle-time issues; drive continuous improvement using Six Sigma/Lean tools.
Product Stewardship & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with EHS expectations and product regulations (e.g., GHS/CLP, REACH, TSCA), collaborating with Regulatory and SHE teams.
- Support raw material qualifications, change control, and management of specifications, SDS, and product safety documentation.
Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Convert customer requirements into technical targets; develop application testing plans and demonstrations.
- Present technical findings to internal/external stakeholders; provide technical support during trials, qualifications, and post-launch.
IP & Portfolio Management
- Contribute to invention disclosures, patents, freedom-to-operate assessments, and competitive landscaping.
- Support Stage-Gate processes: scoping, business case inputs, risk/viability assessments, and project milestone delivery.
Who are You?
You are:
- Scientifically rigorous, practically minded: You balance deep chemistry/process insight with manufacturability and cost-in-use.
- A Curious problem-solver: You ask sharp questions, build hypotheses, test rapidly, and iterate confidently.
- Safety-first: You model exemplary EHS behavior and embed safety into experiment and process design.
- A Collaborative communicator: You build trust across labs, plants, suppliers, and customers; you explain complex ideas simply.
- Resilient & results-driven: You own outcomes, manage ambiguity, and deliver against milestones.
- Inclusive & globally aware: You thrive in diverse, multicultural teams and consider regional requirements and constraints.
We understand that not all candidates may meet the requirements listed above. If you believe you have the knowledge and experience necessary to excel in this role, we encourage you to apply.
What competencies will you need?
- Education: BSc/MSc/PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
- Specialty Chemical Expertise: Formulation science, reaction engineering, polymerization, surfactants, catalysts, additives, or similar domains.
- Process Engineering: Unit operations, scale‑up methodologies, process safety (HAZOP/LOPA), and plant trial execution.
- Experimental Design & Analytics: DOE, statistical analysis (e.g., JMP/Minitab), data visualization, and root-cause methodologies.
- Quality & Standards: Familiarity with ISO 9001/14001/45001, SPC, GMP where applicable; knowledge of change control and CAPA.
- Regulatory & Stewardship: Working knowledge of GHS/CLP, REACH/TSCA, SDS authoring, product labeling, and raw material compliance.
- Testing & Characterization: Rheology, thermal analysis (DSC/TGA), spectroscopy (FTIR/NMR), chromatography (GC/LC), particle size, and mechanical testing relevant to product/application.
- Digital & Tools: LIMS, ELN, ERP/PLM (e.g., SAP), and standard data tools (Excel/JMP/Minitab); familiarity with modeling/simulation is a plus.
- IP Awareness: Invention disclosures, patent basics, competitive intelligence, and literature/patent search skills.
Equal Opportunity Employer