Principal Scientist

DESCRIPTON SUMMARY:

The primary objective of this role is to lead new product development programs as well as longer range research initiatives and to in the identify, assess, and demonstrate technical feasibility of novel technologies to advance FLEXcon’s growth and innovation objectives. This role will assess commercial viability of products and/or processes and provide technical assessment of exploratory new business opportunities requiring roll to roll processing of multilayer structures.

The scope of this role includes:

• Improving existing products or developing new ones by identifying, assessing, and developing new technologies based on stage gate decisions considering customers’ needs and wants and aligning them with the company’s ability to source, produce, and market the product. This involves conducting market research, analyzing customer feedback, and testing prototypes with potential users.
• Collaborating with other departments such as engineering, design, marketing, and sales to ensure that the product meets the quality, cost, and time-to-market requirements.
• Communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders to present the product vision, strategy, and progress.
• Keeping up to date with the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in the industry.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervisory Responsibilities:   ☐ Yes  ☒ No

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

1. Utilize scientific method for discovery, validation, and product development.

2. Support Flexcon business teams, Project Management Office, and technology groups as requested, providing scientific guidance, technical research, timeline estimates, as well as support for assessing the risks and costs of identified development opportunities or competitive technologies.

3. Assess technical developments, identify key performance differentiation, and incorporate into potential new technology platforms.

4. Work with Academia, Consultants and startup businesses to identify opportunities for collaboration leading to commercialization of new business initiatives.

5. Identify and quantify the structure, property, and performance relationships in new material designs. 

6. Work with lab personnel to ensure accurate observations, data collection, hypothesis development and validation to meet project timelines.

7. Develop working prototypes and test efficacy/performance against target specifications.

8. Ensure an understanding of critical scientific principles in the development of new products, processes.

9. Assist teams evaluating opportunity economics by recommending alternative technical solutions, providing cost estimates, creating development specifications/project plans and understanding customer perceived value.

10. Publish and present technical reports, internally to Business Teams, Executive Team, Operating Team and the Board and externally to appropriate conferences, customers, and end-users, that summarize key findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on data and applied material science.

11. Support initial scale-up trials to confirm lab results.

12. Provide technical support at customers and in manufacturing for development and specifications as needed.

13. Develop and support the technical aspects of patent evaluations and filings.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. EDUCATION: PhD in Chemistry or Polymer or Material Science with 10 years of experience / Master’s degree in chemistry or Polymer or Material Science with minimum 12 years of experience/ Bachelor’s degree with a of minimum 15 years relevant work experience in a lab environment.

2. EXPERIENCE: Adhesive and Tape industry knowledge preferred, specifically in the automotive, healthcare and/packaging market. Technology and product/process development in an appropriate industry with science background with a demonstrated record of sustained commercial success over at least 15 years with Bachelor’s degree, less with advanced degree. A demonstrated record of technology knowledge, skills and data analysis leading to products and processes that are repeatable and reproducible based on sound science.  Ability to work in, or support by servant leadership, cross-functional teams. Experience in writing patents, claim chart analysis, and grant applications as well as working with Academia on research initiatives strongly desired.

3. PERSONAL CONTACTS (Internal/External): Interaction within all levels of the internal organization up to and including the Board of Directors, suppliers, customers, end-users, technical associations, universities, incubators, consultants, IP counsel, USPTO, FDA, and other Federal Agencies.

4. CONFIDENTIAL DATA: Daily interaction with extremely confidential scientific findings that may result in Flexcon IP.  Exposure to financial assessment and cost structures. NDA information receiver and sender, exposure to Customer, University, and End-User intellectual property.

5. COGNITIVE/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Significant portion of time is devoted to experimental design, process impacts and data interpretation requiring concentration and attention to detail with limited interruptions. See physical evaluation below.

6. PHYSICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT: Category 3 Hybrid Employee must be onsite in the office 4 days per week. 

7. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to mentor, coach, and develop across departments in a collaborative manner. 

8. TRAVEL %: Up to 10% of time depending on projects, globally dependent on projects.  May include time embedded at Suppliers, Universities, and Customers.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES (Top Five):

• Technical Expertise, Structure Property Knowledge – broad based, creative and innovation design working collaboratively internally and externally.  Knowledge of material behavior and availability of chemistries in the industry.

• Technical Communication – high level ability to communicate to the full breadth of the organization and external stakeholders in written and spoken formats.

• Problem Solving – Individual and collaborative problem solver, combine with strong Decision Making aptitude.

• Mentoring and Coaching – part of the formal role is mentoring current and next generation leaders taking proactive steps to coach others in the organization