Chemical Engineer

L3Harris Technologies - Huntsville, AL

Full-time

Huntsville, AL

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

About the position

The Aerojet Rocketdyne Business Segment of L3Harris is seeking a Lead Chemist / Chemical Engineer to join our growing Huntsville, Alabama facility. This position will work in the Advanced Manufacturing Facility's (AMF) Materials and Processes testing lab, and will be responsible for leading analyses to support material acceptance testing, material shelf-life extension testing, and inert materials characterization and process development. The successful candidate will report to the Materials and Processes Engineering AMF Laboratory Manager in Huntsville, AL. In this role, the Lead Chemist will technically advise early career staff in developing and validating analytical methods for testing materials using various techniques such as TGA, DSC, DHR, and TMA. The position requires direct performance of testing and analyses of materials, interpreting results, and advising work requestors or customers/vendors regarding specific processes or parts and materials. The Lead Chemist will also be responsible for planning and conducting testing, scheduling equipment usage in the laboratory and production areas, and developing and maintaining work instructions for new and current processes to standardize and document test procedures utilized throughout the lab. Additionally, the Lead Chemist will focus on improving laboratory function through process improvement initiatives using e3 principles, mentorship, and 6S methodologies. Maintaining testing records, ensuring operational readiness regarding reagent stock, lab cleanliness, and compliance with calibration and safety standards are also key responsibilities of this position.

Responsibilities

• Technically advise early career staff in developing and validating analytical methods for testing materials by TGA, DSC, DHR, and TMA.
• Directly perform testing and analyses of materials by TGA, DSC, DHR, TMA, FTIR, titrations, and other polymeric analyses.
• Interpret results, advise, and communicate with work requestors or customers/vendors as they pertain to specific processes or parts and materials.
• Plan and conduct testing and schedule equipment usage in the laboratory and production areas as needed.
• Develop/maintain work instructions for new and current processes to standardize and document test procedures utilized throughout the lab.
• Improve laboratory function through process improvement using e3 principles, mentorship and 6S.
• Maintain testing records and ensure operational readiness regarding reagent stock, lab cleanliness, and compliance with calibration and safety.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience.
• Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience.
• In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
• A Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering is preferred.
• Knowledge of chemical principles, thermodynamics, polymer chemistry, structure/property relationships, kinetics, and data analysis is essential.
• Experience with polymeric materials, statistical analysis, and the listed instruments used to characterize properties of polymeric materials or their precursors is a plus.

Nice-to-haves

• An advanced degree in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering is preferred.