Polymer Synthetic Chemist

6d6 days ago

Hexcel Corporation

Decatur, US · Full-time · $115,000 – $145,000

About this role

Can Chemistry Propel the Future of Aerospace? Are you a polymer chemist who sees molecules as building blocks for innovation? Hexcel’s opportunity in Decatur, Alabama is your launchpad to transform expertise into real-world impact on carbon fiber R&T team.

You’ll engineer the next generation of high-performance materials, developing polyacrylonitrile precursor chemistry for aerospace, defense, and renewable energy. Your discoveries will shape product performance, cost efficiency, and sustainability across global industries. At Hexcel, your chemistry will be scaled, spun, and flown.

Join the carbon fiber R&T team where innovation drives the future of flight, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing. Decatur is a community of innovators along the Tennessee River, blending Southern charm, outdoor adventure, and a growing tech scene. Relocation assistance is available.

Hexcel leads in manufacturing advanced composite materials like carbon fiber, resins, prepregs, and honeycombs. With strong investment in research and development and a culture of continuous improvement, join the strength within at global R&T centers and manufacturing sites.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Polymer Science, or related field, with deep expertise in polymer synthesis and molecular design
5+ years of industrial research experience in polymer chemistry; experience with polyacrylonitrile highly preferred
Proven ability to translate lab-scale insights into pilot and commercial-scale solutions
Strong understanding of structure-property relationships and advanced analytical techniques
Hands-on experimental skills and a track record of solving complex technical problems
Project management experience and ability to lead and collaborate across teams

Responsibilities

Develop and apply synthetic routes, formulations, and characterization methods to enhance PAN precursor and carbon fiber performance
Focus on polymer development and application to create next generation PAN
Monitor scientific literature and competitive trends to guide new research directions
Analyze and document experimental results, sharing insights with internal and external stakeholders
Advance polyacrylonitrile precursor chemistry for high-performance carbon fiber
Translate lab-scale polymer synthesis into pilot and commercial-scale solutions