Research Chemist

PPG Industries is a global leader in coatings, materials, and specialty products. Within our Aerospace Strategic Business Unit, we develop and manufacture advanced coating systems that enhance safety, performance, and durability for commercial, military, and general aviation applications. We are seeking a motivated Coating Chemist to join our innovative team to help advance next-generation technologies in aerospace coating.

The S&T Research Chemist will be responsible for the design, formulation, and optimization of high-performance aerospace coating systems, including primers, topcoats, and specialty finishes that meet industry standards such as MIL-PRF, AMS, Boeing Material Specifications (BMS), and other customer-specific requirements. The role focuses on developing resin blends, pigment dispersions, and additive packages to achieve targeted properties such as corrosion resistance, adhesion, flexibility, and weatherability. The chemist will conduct comprehensive laboratory evaluations encompassing rheology, viscosity control, film build analysis, and cure kinetics using techniques such as FTIR, DSC, and TGA. Interpreting performance and analytical data to refine formulations, diagnose issues, and support qualification is a key part of this role.Close collaboration with process engineering, manufacturing, quality teams as well as business and marketing is required to scale lab-developed formulations to production, ensuring reproducibility and compliance with quality systems and environmental standards such as AS9100, TSCA, and REACH. Additional responsibilities include maintaining detailed experimental documentation, preparing technical reports, and presenting findings to R&D and product management teams to support technology transfer and new product introductions.

Key Responsibilities

• Formula & Product Development: Develop products to meet industrial standards, specifications, and other customer requirements. Apply fundamental chemical and materials science knowledge to accelerate innovation and new product development. Monitor the technology landscape, including the patent landscape, and produce new patents.

• Project Management: Use appropriate experimental designs and data analysis techniques to support product development. Manage project timelines and deliverables, including project management, capturing updates, meeting internally and externally, and reporting.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with various departments to ensure the successful scale-up, qualification, and commercialization of new materials and product line extensions.

Qualifications

• Educational Background: Ph.D. in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Materials Chemistry, or Materials Engineering.

• Experience: Minimum of 7+ years of experience in laboratory work or formulation background

• Technical Expertise: Strong background in inorganic or organic chemistry, analytical instrumentation (FTIR, DSC, viscometry, etc.) and coating performance testing methods as well as statistical design, DOE DFMEA, PFMEA . Attention to detail and good organizational skills.

• Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to guide and mentor teams. Strong collaboration skills and a desire to work in a team-oriented, global environment are important.

• Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident.

The base salary range for this position is $125,000 to $130,000, with the possibility of an annual bonus up to 10% of base salary. PPG offers comprehensive benefits such as Health, Dental, Life, Retirement Plan, Paid Vacation & Holidays, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Disability/Leave, and other Voluntary benefit offerings. Actual benefit offerings confirmed at the time of hire.