Research Chemist - S&T Research

2w2 weeks ago

PPG

Burbank, US · Full-time · $125,000 – $130,000

About this role

PPG Industries is a global leader in coatings, materials, and specialty products. Within our Aerospace Strategic Business Unit, we develop and manufacture advanced coating systems that enhance safety, performance, and durability for commercial, military, and general aviation applications.

The S&T Research Chemist will be responsible for the design, formulation, and optimization of high-performance aerospace coating systems, including primers, topcoats, and specialty finishes that meet industry standards such as MIL-PRF, AMS, Boeing Material Specifications (BMS), and other customer-specific requirements. Day-to-day work focuses on developing resin blends, pigment dispersions, and additive packages to achieve targeted properties like corrosion resistance, adhesion, flexibility, and weatherability.

This role involves conducting comprehensive laboratory evaluations encompassing rheology, viscosity control, film build analysis, and cure kinetics using techniques such as FTIR, DSC, and TGA. The chemist will interpret performance and analytical data to refine formulations, diagnose issues, and support qualification, while collaborating closely with process engineering, manufacturing, quality teams, as well as business and marketing to scale lab-developed formulations to production.

Additional responsibilities include maintaining detailed experimental documentation, preparing technical reports, and presenting findings to R&D and product management teams to support technology transfer and new product introductions. This position offers the opportunity to advance next-generation aerospace coating technologies within a global, cross-functional environment.

Requirements

Proven experience in the design, formulation, and optimization of coating systems, preferably aerospace or high-performance industrial coatings.
Hands-on expertise with resin blends, pigment dispersions, and additive packages to achieve corrosion resistance, adhesion, flexibility, and weatherability.
Proficiency in laboratory evaluation techniques including rheology, viscosity control, film build analysis, and cure kinetics.
Experience with analytical instrumentation such as FTIR, DSC, and TGA for performance and formulation diagnostics.
Ability to interpret performance and analytical data to refine formulations, diagnose issues, and support product qualification.
Knowledge of quality and environmental standards such as AS9100, TSCA, and REACH.
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage timelines and deliverables in a cross-functional team environment.

Responsibilities

Develop products to meet industrial standards, specifications, and other customer requirements.
Apply fundamental chemical and materials science knowledge to accelerate innovation and new product development.
Monitor the technology landscape, including the patent landscape, and produce new patents.
Use appropriate experimental designs and data analysis techniques to support product development.
Manage project timelines and deliverables, including capturing updates, meeting internally and externally, and reporting.
Collaborate closely with process engineering, manufacturing, quality teams, and business/marketing to scale lab-developed formulations to production.
Maintain detailed experimental documentation, prepare technical reports, and present findings to R&D and product management teams.

Benefits

Opportunity to work on next-generation aerospace coating technologies within a global leader in coatings, materials, and specialty products.
Collaboration with cross-functional teams including process engineering, manufacturing, quality, business, and marketing.
Access to advanced laboratory equipment and analytical techniques (FTIR, DSC, TGA) for cutting-edge R&D.
Support for professional development through patent generation, technical reporting, and technology transfer initiatives.