R&D- Sr. Scientist

Sherwin-Williams - Cleveland, OH

Full-time - Senior

Cleveland, OH

Chemical Manufacturing

About the position

The Automotive Finishes Division R&D Sr. Scientist will lead initiatives for new product development in Automotive OEM Interior coatings. This role is crucial for delivering innovative products and methods, improving processes, and mentoring team members while leveraging technical expertise to solve complex problems. The position requires collaboration with various teams and stakeholders to drive innovation and ensure the successful execution of projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead Automotive OEM Interior New Product Development initiatives.
• Provide timely and accurate solutions to complex problems using technical expertise.
• Deliver new products and methods while improving processes.
• Mentor and coach technical team members as a Subject Matter Expert.
• Understand challenges for next generation solvent-borne and water-borne coatings.
• Coordinate in-house resin capabilities and development activities.
• Identify customer needs to build product profiles for new technologies.
• Collaborate with functional teams to drive innovation strategy execution.
• Develop and capture intellectual property related to products.
• Lead project teams or multiple unrelated projects simultaneously.
• Create efficiencies in product development processes.
• Utilize structure-property relationships for prototype design and problem-solving.
• Collaborate with R&D and application teams to implement new technologies.
• Interact with marketing and stakeholders to develop strategic project proposals.
• Serve as a technical expert in Automotive OEM Interior products and technologies.
• Preserve technical knowledge by issuing reports on technology development projects.
• Adhere to safety policies and laboratory procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.
• Legal right to work in the country without needing sponsorship.
• 10 years of coatings-specific industry experience with a track record of technology deliveries.
• Strong problem-solving and project-management skills.
• Ability to tailor communications to fit the audience's needs.
• Adaptability to change quickly in response to new situations.

Nice-to-haves

• Ph.D. degree in chemistry/polymer-related field.
• 12 years of coatings-specific industry experience.
• Technical expertise in industrial coatings including 1K and 2K primer, monocoat, basecoat/clearcoat systems.
• Experience with Design for Six Sigma (DFSS).
• Experience with Design of Experiment methodologies.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams.