Innovation Scientist

The Innovation Scientist will work on technology development, vet end use customer feedback as part of transformational innovation, front end innovation as well as R&D activity including formulations, testing and test development. The role includes but is not limited to innovating new products and processes, supporting existing products and processes, optimizing operational costs and installation costs, as well as the design and performance requirements of products used in building envelope systems. This position will research latest technologies using laboratory, pilot-scale, and plant-scale processing equipment and end use evaluation tools such as ethnography to create new products and building assemblies, test methods, formulations, and processing techniques. Effective communication of this knowledge will be demonstrated by teaching others, sharing knowledge, and collaborating with stakeholders within and outside our organization. This position will operate under the general guidance of the Director R&D/Innovation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Innovation Research

• Work with Universities and startups to identify and develop new technologies leading to transformational innovation

• Read and research latest technologies to identify future new products and processes

• Collaborate with raw material suppliers to innovate new raw materials

• Collaborate and share knowledge with others

• New Product / Process Development

• Research and Develop technologies to create and sell new products

• Create new tests that support new product and process development

• Organize work in alignment with business priorities

• Cost Reduction

• Manage existing formulation

• Research new formulations

• Technical resource to answer technical questions

Principal Accountabilities

• Support the Innovation Leader by maintaining the technical expert role and state of the art technology competencies within the area of focus in Transformational Innovation and Front End Innovation projects.

• Develop and maintain the role of technical expert in area of focus for all facets of existing products.

• Drive product technology advancements and innovations by investigating, creating, and bringing in new materials, processes, designs, and procedures into the organization.

• Manage and lead the Ideation and Building the Business Case efforts of Transformational Innovation, Front-End Innovation and Phase-Gate development projects.

• Communicate project status, study results, innovative efforts, etc., regularly and effectively (meetings, reports and presentations).

• Adapt to changing business needs and goals.

Required Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

• Chemical Formula Expertise & Knowledge

• Existing Product line formulations and raw materials

• New Product formulation research and development

• Operation of analytical, mechanical property and chemical processing equipment

• Test equipment knowledge and test method development

• Safety compliance and procedures knowledge

• Math/algebra/applied statistics

• Laboratory Information Data System knowledge

• Computer knowledge of current programs

• Processing technology

• Polymer manufacturing technologies

• Small-, Pilot-, Plant-scale processing equipment

• Plant batch- and/or continuous-manufacturing processes

• Assembly and Fabrication

• Testing equipment

• Elementary concepts in building envelope system technology

• Design

• Installation

• Product / System testing in the Field

• Knowledge of polymer materials and compounds

• Company rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Internal processing and purchasing specifications.

• Standard test methods and procedures

• Handling, storage safe handling of hazardous waste and materials.

• Data Analysis

• Leadership skills

• Interpersonal skills-oral communication, written communication

• Computer literacy

• Operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of all lab equipment

• Individual and group problem solving skills

• Mathematical reasoning and problem solving