Job Description

Polyol Synthesis Chemist (Senior R&D – Polyurethane Materials)

Locations: Cleveland, OH | Dallas, TX | Greensboro, NC

Important Requirement

• This position requires U.S. Citizenship
• No visa sponsorship is available for this role

About the Role

Brock11 is partnering with our client, a leading innovator in the building materials industry, to identify a Polyol Synthesis Chemist to support the development of advanced polyurethane raw materials used in coatings, roofing systems, sealants, and adhesives.

This is a senior-level individual contributor role focused on complex polyol synthesis, process development, and commercialization. The position requires deep technical expertise and the ability to independently drive projects from concept through manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Polyol Synthesis & Development

• Design and execute advanced polyol synthesis (polyester, polyether, and bio-based systems such as soybean oil derivatives)
• Optimize reaction conditions, catalysts, and formulations to meet performance targets
• Evaluate structure-property relationships and recommend material improvements

Process Development & Scale-Up

• Lead scale-up activities from lab to pilot and manufacturing environments
• Collaborate with plant operations to improve yield, consistency, and process robustness
• Troubleshoot synthesis and processing challenges during commercialization

Analytical & Data Interpretation

• Utilize and interpret data from analytical tools (GPC, FTIR, NMR, GC, etc.)
• Apply Design of Experiments (DOE) and statistical analysis to optimize formulations and processes
• Maintain thorough documentation and communicate findings through reports and presentations

Technical Collaboration

• Work closely with formulation chemists, application teams, and manufacturing
• Interface with raw material suppliers and external partners
• Support technical discussions related to product performance and development

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities for new materials and process improvements, including sustainable and renewable chemistries
• Contribute to intellectual property development
• Stay current with industry trends, patents, and emerging technologies

Safety & Compliance

• Operate in accordance with EHS, ISO, and Responsible Care principles
• Maintain strong laboratory safety and documentation practices

Qualifications

Required

• Master's degree in chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering (or bachelor's with significant relevant experience)
• 8–15+ years of experience in polyols, polyurethanes, or related polymer systems
• Strong hands-on experience with chemical synthesis and process scale-up
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on complex technical projects

Preferred

• Experience with bio-based polyols (e.g., soybean oil or renewable feedstocks)
• Background in coatings, roofing, adhesives, or construction materials
• Experience supporting commercial manufacturing environments
• Patent or publication experience

What You’ll Bring

• Deep expertise in polymer and polyurethane chemistry
• Strong problem-solving and data-driven decision-making skills
• Ability to translate lab results into real-world manufacturing outcomes
• Effective communication across technical and cross-functional teams

Why This Opportunity

• Work on materials that directly impact real-world building performance
• Engage in hands-on chemistry with commercial application
• Opportunity to contribute to sustainable and next-generation materials
• Strong connection between R&D and manufacturing execution

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