Research and Development Coating Scientist/Engineer

Advance the automotive market and advance your career at Gentex! Join a collaborative culture devoted to innovation, cooperation, and continuous improvement. Your ideas are not just heard, they are celebrated! Explore Gentex today! POSITION OVERVIEW Contribute to the discovery, development, and improvement of Gentex technology and engage in research and development, testing, and evaluation of novel technologies, processes, and/or applications. WHAT YOU’LL DO Responsible for advancing and developing materials, equipment and processes related to coating(s) as a part of the new product development process. When called upon, assist in problem solving associated with production processes, materials and/or products. Analyze competitor and related patents pertinent to the company’s initiatives, support patent filings and prosecutions and other related activities. Work with suppliers to find products or technologies which can improve quality, reduce cost, or simplify manufacturing. Document and analyze experimental data, including maintaining an accurate notebook and/or database of experimental results. Manage project teams – lead meetings, write minutes, track progress and report finding to senior leadership Perform various laboratory activities relating to research projects within the various R&D groups. Support Gentex Manufacturing in assuring that existing processes and products meet quality specifications. When needed, aid other group members in the performance of their research and development duties. Work closely with key disciplines to ensure smooth product launches into production. Coordination of assembly and testing of new products and/or processes. Participate in technical collaboration with members from other sections and/or divisions. Continue to learn and build expertise in a particular technical field, providing consulting to others as needed. Other duties as assigned. HOW YOU’LL DO IT Uses professional concepts in accordance with company objectives to solve complex problems in creative and effective ways. Proven creativity and brainstorming skills. Self-motivated – ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Ability to work in a team environment and/or independently. Strong work ethic and the ability to focus on the job at hand. Must demonstrate the ability for critical thinking. Complying with all Company policies and procedures, safety regulations, company safety policies and safely perform all duties, including but not limited to, promoting a safe workplace. Maintaining high level of honesty, integrity and confidentiality with respect to company matters. WHAT TO BRING Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) degree in Engineering, Science or other related field; MS or PhD in Engineering, Science or related field or at least two years of relevant experience is preferred. Proven creativity and strong problem-solving abilities and track record. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Proven problem-solving skills. WHAT WILL HELP Ability to quickly comprehend and apply new technology. Demonstrated technical interdisciplinary skills. Project management skills. Experience guiding and mentoring junior personnel. Knowledge of statistics and design of experiments. Ability to communicate with those with different types and levels of skills. Proactive – Demonstrated ability to fix a problem before it happens. Predisposition to get involved. Motivated by discovery and problem solving moderated by a sound business sense. Gentex is an equal opportunity employer Gentex extends equal employment opportunities to qualified applicants and employees regardless of an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), disability, marital status, military service, height, weight, genetic information, or any other reason protected by law. Assistance Gentex is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. For accommodation requests, email us at recruiting@gentex.com. Gentex will not discriminate against any qualified individual who can perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation. Understand your right to work At Gentex, we use E-verify to confirm you're authorized to work in the U.S. E-Verify – English & Spanish Right to Work – English Right to Work - Spanish Gentex develops and manufactures high-quality products for the automotive, aerospace, and commercial fire protection industries. As a pioneer in the industry, we don’t do average. Exploration, failure, persistence, and discovery are words our team members live by. Our collaborative culture is founded on a devotion to quality and innovation. Everyone shares an ownership mentality and the leadership team embraces an unpretentious management style. Team members work in a fast-paced environment where they enjoy a wide-range of perks. We believe when our company does well the team members who helped it succeed should be rewarded, so we provide quarterly profit sharing bonuses and employee stock purchase plans alongside our 401k matching program. Gentex is located near the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, yet we're only 30 minutes away from the metropolitan Grand Rapids area.