R&D- Chemist II

The Coil Coating Innovation R&D team is seeking a highly motivated Chemist II with a strong technical foundation in coating chemistry and demonstrated experience in formulation development, laboratory experimentation, and cross-functional collaboration. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of next-generation coil coating technologies, support maintenance-of-business (MOB) activities, evaluate emerging raw materials and technologies, and drive innovation initiatives aligned with customer and business needs.

This position requires a candidate who combines strong scientific rigor with excellent organizational, communication, and project management skills. The Chemist II will independently execute research projects, analyze technical challenges, develop innovative solutions, and effectively communicate findings to internal and external stakeholders.

Job duties include contact with other employees and access to confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s staff, employees, and business relationships.

This position is eligible for health benefits, such as medical, dental and vision coverage, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), disability coverage, security, retirement and saving benefits. Additional benefits include a generous time away from work package, including personal leave, paid parental leave, medical leave, vacation, and holidays.

This position is also eligible for bonus based on performance and subject to the terms of the Company’s applicable plans.

This role is not remote/hybrid. This role will report to Sherwin-Williams Minneapolis R&D Lab, located at 312 11th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55415.

10% Travel

• Design, formulate, and evaluate high-performance coil coating systems for targeted market applications.
• Develop and optimize coating formulations to achieve desired performance, cost, sustainability, and manufacturing objectives.
• Evaluate new polymers, resins, pigments, additives, and other raw materials to support innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Design and execute laboratory experiments, generate technical data, interpret results, and make scientifically sound recommendations.
• Function under limited supervision and be able to independently design experiments and write reports with limited review.
• Perform coating characterization, performance testing, and failure analysis using appropriate analytical and physical testing methods.
• Lead or contribute to innovation projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring milestones, timelines, and objectives are achieved.
• Create technical reports, presentations, and documentation to effectively communicate project progress and results.
• Communicates with other departments/functions and has a wide network of resources and knows who their resources are.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in laboratory operations, testing methodologies, and development processes.
• Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, competitive products, and regulatory developments affecting coil coatings.
• Maintain accurate laboratory records and ensure compliance with safety, security, environmental, and quality standards.

Minimum Requirements
• Must be legally authorized to work in the country for which you are applying for employment (without now or in the future needing sponsorship for employment work visa and/or permanent residence status)
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering
• 3+ years of coatings specific formulation experience
• Experience with project management
• Familiarity with application and troubleshooting of industrial coatings
• Understanding of spectral measurement data
• Computer knowledge for basic inputting, communication, and data analysis
• Math knowledge
• Analytical chemistry and the ability to extend it beyond the realm of coatings
• Experience with Design of Experiment

Preferred Qualifications
• Master’s degree or PhD in a coating related research area
• Experience in urethane, epoxy, acrylic and their common curing technologies
• Prior experience in coating physical testing, weather exposure
• Prior knowledge in basic polymer physics, i.e., rheology, thermal.
• Expertise with structure-property relationship
• Proficient in statistics and data analysis