Senior Associate or Associate, Product Development - Chemist or Chemical Engineer

$60,000 - $85,000/Yr

Vorbeck - Jessup, MD

Full-time - Entry Level

Jessup, MD

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods

About the position

As a Senior Associate or Associate in Product Development at Vorbeck, you will be responsible for developing new materials and formulations specifically for firefighting and defense applications. This role involves hands-on work in the design, synthesis, and testing of innovative products, including functional inks, coatings, and firefighting foams. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and ensure technical excellence, requiring a strong understanding of complex fluid chemistry and dynamics.

Responsibilities

• Develop new materials and formulations for firefighting and defense applications.
• Design, synthesize, and test new materials products such as functional inks and coatings.
• Assess material and formulation requirements for new applications.
• Conduct background research, literature, and patent surveys.
• Develop and synthesize new formulations for conductive inks, protective coats, and fire suppressant materials.
• Operate and maintain production equipment.
• Implement and run laboratory-scale performance tests.
• Perform chemical and material analytical tests and data analysis.
• Assist in scaling up formulations from bench-top to pilot plant scales.
• Develop technical data sheets and product specifications for customers.
• Draft and submit invention disclosures and support patent filings with the legal team.
• Assist with laboratory activities including ordering consumables and managing chemical waste.
• Provide external technical presentations and technical support for proposals and customer interactions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a technical field (preferably chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science).
• Wet chemistry experience.
• Formulation experience (foams, surfactants, ink, coatings, etc.).
• Formulation processing and scale-up experience.
• Experience with chemical and materials characterization and analytical methods.
• Experience with rheological and/or particle size measurements.

Nice-to-haves

• Creativity and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and observation skills.
• Critical thinking abilities.
• Excellent writing, presentation, analytical, and quantitative skills.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Program
• Vacation, Personal Time, and 10 Paid Holidays
• Company-sponsored Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Opportunity for Relocation Assistance