Senior Polymer Chemist
Senior Polymer Chemist
Location: North Charleston, South Carolina
*Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates. *
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
- Five or more years of experience and a Master's degree or a Ph.D. 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