Principal Scientist

Summary:

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain knowledge of technical developments, which could contribute to or be a competitive threat to project objectives. 
• Maintain compliance with the Quality Manual, Safety Policy and other procedures.
• Develop and validate new test methods as necessary.
• Identify and innovate new technologies that could be applied in the adhesive space.
• Present and communicate new ideas effectively to upper management to make the case for investment.
• Develop, improve and customize products, equipment, formulas, processes and test methods for new products identified by sales and marketing.

• Provide specifications and appropriate testing for new incoming raw materials and finished products as required. 
• Review product specifications and performance requirements to determine adequate design of products to meet these requirements.
• Conduct Research and development efforts to enhance current products or qualify alternative vendors or materials.

• Assist in the resolution of concerns assigned by Quality for goods and processes.
• Maintain laboratory to cGMP and GLP requirements as necessary.
• Write technical reports and prepare presentation/talk for technical conference and proceedings.

• Plan and conduct research and development programs arising from approved Technical Inquires.
• Maintain an awareness of technical developments, intellectual property, and compliance regulations relating to areas of interest to the company. Pursue patent applications or maintain proprietary information as appropriate.
• Technology transfer of optimized formulation processes and/or medical device design to Process Technology team.

• Mentor and train junior level scientists and technicians.

Qualifications, Education and/or Experience Required:

• Ph.D. in chemistry, polymer chemistry, engineering, materials science, or related discipline 
• 10+ years of experience developing medical devices and adhesives for target applications and markets.
• In-depth understanding of adhesive curing mechanism and structure-process-property relationships of components and adhesive products.

• Experience and knowledge in stage-gate process, computer literacy with knowledge of cGMP, and ISO requirements preferred.
• Experience in medical device product development process and scale-up activities (design verification and design validation)

• Proven track record of new technology development and technology transfer (invention) activities

• Experience with the Product Development Process, Design Controls, and Change Controls for regulated and non-regulated industries
• Experience with Human Factors/Usability Engineering (preferred, not required)
• Experience in fundamental failure analysis methodology for a root cause analysis.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Solid teamwork and leadership skills 

Language Skills:

• English required, bilingual (Spanish) a plus.

Physical Demands:

• Position requires walking, standing for prolonged periods, occasionally required to sit, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. May frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. 

Work Environment:

• Non-temperature-controlled warehouse, non-temperature-controlled production floor, temperature-controlled office. 

Other Duties: 

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

AAP/EEO Statement: 

• CHEMENCE® provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.