Confidential Client – Southeastern U.S.
Salary: $100,000–$120,000 + 20% Bonus
Relocation Assistance: Available
Employment Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire
About the Opportunity
Our confidential manufacturing client is seeking an innovative Development Chemist to support the research, development, and commercialization of advanced battery separator technologies for lead-acid battery applications. This position offers the opportunity to develop next-generation materials, optimize manufacturing processes, and transition new products from laboratory development through pilot-scale and commercial production.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing organization where your technical expertise will directly influence new product development, manufacturing performance, and future technology initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and optimize new formulations for battery separator materials.
- Improve separator performance, durability, and manufacturing efficiency.
- Design and execute laboratory experiments using Design of Experiments (DOE).
- Support process development involving extrusion, polymer processing, pore formation, extraction, and coating technologies.
- Evaluate separator properties including permeability, pore structure, mechanical strength, electrical resistance, wettability, oxidation stability, and overall product performance.
- Analyze materials using characterization techniques such as SEM, DSC, TGA, porosimetry, and related analytical methods.
- Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, engineering, and operations teams to successfully transition products from R&D into commercial production.
- Investigate manufacturing and formulation issues using structured problem-solving and root cause analysis.
- Prepare technical reports, operating procedures, and project documentation while presenting findings to internal stakeholders.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining a strong commitment to safety and operational excellence.
Qualifications
- BS or MS in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
- 5+ years of product development experience involving polymers, porous membranes, separator technology, specialty films, or related materials.
- Experience developing or working with one or more of the following:
- Polyethylene (PE) separators
- Porous membranes
- Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) materials
- Silica-filled rubber separators
- Autoclaved vulcanized rubber separators
- Lead-acid battery technologies (strongly preferred)
- Hands-on experience with extrusion, extraction, polymer processing, coating technologies, or other high-precision continuous manufacturing processes.
- Working knowledge of DOE, process optimization, and statistical problem-solving methodologies.
- Experience with analytical characterization techniques including SEM, DSC, TGA, porosimetry, tensile testing, or similar laboratory equipment.
- Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams supporting product commercialization and manufacturing.
Preferred Industry Background
Experience from one or more of the following industries is highly desirable:
- Battery components
- Battery separators
- Polymer manufacturing
- Specialty films
- Advanced materials
- Porous membranes
- Continuous process manufacturing
- Engineered materials
Additional Requirements
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident (Green Card holder).
- Sponsorship is not available.
- Willingness to relocate if necessary.
- Occasional domestic and international travel.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: $100,000–$120,000
- Annual Bonus Opportunity: 20%
- Relocation Assistance Available
- Excellent long-term career growth with a stable, expanding manufacturing organization.
If you have a background in polymer materials, battery separator technologies, specialty films, or other precision continuous manufacturing processes and are looking to make a significant technical impact, we encourage you to apply.