Research Scientist - Roofing and Waterproofing Products

Position Summary: This position will be responsible for the development of new roofing and waterproofing products for residential and commercial applications.  He/She will be responsible for development of new products, improvement of existing products, advance laboratory testing, competitive analysis as well as value engineering initiatives intended for existing product lines. Position reports directly to the Principal Scientist or Manager of R&D and may supervise other scientists and research technicians.

Responsibilities:

• Work independently, manage research projects and work in teams towards executing the initiatives of the Manager of R&D and the research team
• Generate ideas that will enhance existing products and lead to the development of new products, test procedures and protocols.
• Develop investigative work resolving associated technical issues on products and projects
• Use sound scientific principles such as statistical analysis, material science, rheology and solid mechanics.
• Cross-functional interaction with Product Management, Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Marketing, Technical Services and external vendors
• Design and conduct hands on experimentation using standard test methods and advanced analytical equipment
• Manage multiple short and long-term projects
• Use advanced material characterization techniques to establish structure property relationships of materials and final product performance
• Execute plant trials by transferring technology from small scale lab models to large scale plant production. Conduct and design testing internally and externally adhering to regional and third-party code agencies and guidelines.
• Work closely with partner companies and key raw material suppliers to advance the development of products or processes.
• Represent Polyglass USA at key industry meetings and technical conferences.
• Manage technical business support for current products including raw material qualification, benchmarking of competitive materials and product/system testing internally and at external laboratories.
• Publish reports and conduct technical presentations at regular intervals on key projects.
• Advance the technology in building products & systems to improve performance, reduce total installed cost and established sustained competitive advantage.
• Assist in training new R&D scientists and technicians as needed and as directed by the Manager of R&D.
• Promotes health, safety and environmental regulations by ensuring that standards, policies, and procedures are adhered to in compliance with corporate, federal, state, and local requirements.
• Performs other duties as required for the success of Polyglass USA, Inc.

Requirements:

• Experience in the development of new products for roofing and waterproofing applications, as membranes, underlayment, above and below grade waterproofing membranes, air and vapor barriers, and synthetic adhesives
• Working knowledge of roofing and waterproofing membrane systems codes and industry standards
• Experience developing product from the lab, through scale-up and to the final launch
• Knowledge of material science, rheology, viscoelasticity and solid mechanics.
• Lab experience working with analytical and mechanical instruments for polymers and membranes characterization like: DMA, TMA, DSC, DSR, FTIR, TGA, Universal testing machine, etc.
• Ability to use analytical lab tools and data to generate correlations that predict ultimate material performance and durability
• Strong analytical problem-solving skills
• Ability to identify novel new approaches that establish sustained competitive advantage
• Able to multitask, and work effectively with internal and external partners at a technical and interpersonal level
• Masters in Material Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, Building Science, or related fields with minimum 4 years of experience in one or more of these fields: asphalt, polymer modified asphalt, polymers, adhesives, concrete, and or waterproofing membranes for commercial or residential applications or similar endeavors.
• Bachelors of Science /Arts in Material Science Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering ,Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, Organic Chemistry or related fields with minimum 6 years of experience in one or more of these fields: asphalt, polymer modified asphalt, polymers, and or roofing and waterproofing      membranes for commercial or residential applications or similar endeavors
• Minimum of 10 years industrial experience in asphaltic products, polymer modified asphalt, polymers, and/ or roofing and waterproofing membranes for commercial or residential applications or similar endeavors

Preferred Background:

• Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering, Civil Engineering ,Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Science, Organic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or related fields with minimum 2 years of experience in one or more of these fields: asphalt, polymer modified asphalt, polymers, adhesives, building materials, concrete, and or roofing and waterproofing  membranes for commercial or residential applications or similar endeavors.

This position is located on-site in Deerfield Beach, FL.  Polyglass will provide relocation assistance.