Senior Polymer Chemist

The Senior Polymer Chemist will lead the development, formulation, and optimization of elastomeric materials used in electrical safety products, including insulating gloves and sleeves. This role will serve as a technical leader across R&D and manufacturing, driving innovation in low dielectric, high-performance rubber systems while ensuring compliance with applicable safety and performance standards. This role will also play a critical role in bridging material science, process engineering, and product performance, with a strong focus on scalable formulations, reliability, and regulatory compliance.

This is an onsite position in North Charleston, SC.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Formulation & Material Development

• Lead formulation of elastomer compounds using materials such as, Natural Rubber (NR), Bromo butyl / Butyl Rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomers
• Optimize formulations for dielectric strength / electrical insulation performance, mechanical durability (tensile, elongation, tear resistance) and environmental resistance (ozone, heat, moisture, chemicals)
• Evaluate additives including curatives, accelerators, plasticizers, fillers, and stabilizers

Process & Manufacturing Integration

• Partner with manufacturing teams to scale formulations from lab to production
• Support mixing, calendaring, dipping, and curing processes
• Troubleshoot processing issues (e.g., viscosity control, dispersion, cure kinetics)
• Drive continuous improvement in yield, scrap reduction, and cycle times

Product Performance & Compliance

• Ensure materials meet applicable industry standards (e.g., ASTM, IEC for electrical PPE)
• Lead testing protocols for dielectric breakdown, aging, and physical properties
• Support certification and audit processes related to safety compliance

Technical Leadership

• Act as a subject matter expert for elastomer chemistry across the organization
• Mentor junior chemists and lab technicians
• Interface with suppliers to evaluate new raw materials and technologies
• Provide technical input to product development, sourcing, and quality teams

Innovation & Strategy

• Identify opportunities for next-generation materials (e.g., improved flexibility, lighter weight, enhanced dielectric properties)
• Stay current on advancements in polymer science and electrical insulation materials
• Support IP development, where applicable

REQUIREMENTS

• Master's (10+ years) or Ph.D. (8+ years) in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field, with deep experience in elastomer formulation and development.
• Prior experience with rubber compounding and curing systems (sulfur, peroxide, etc.)
• Prior experience with dielectric or insulating material applications
• Strong understanding of Structure-property relationships in elastomers and rheology, cure kinetics, and compound processing with elastomeric materials
• Experience with lab instrumentation (e.g., MDR, DSC, TGA, tensile testing, dielectric testing)
• Experience supporting manufacturing scale-up