R&D Technical Leader – Silicone Surfactants

THIS POSITION WILL REQUIRE RELOCATION TO CHICAGO. RELOCATION ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE.

We are seeking a R&D Technical Leader – Silicone Surfactants to head the development, synthesis, and application scale-up of novel organo-modified siloxanes and silicone polyethers.

This is a technical subject-matter-expert role. You will lead the molecular design and synthesis of silicone surfactants—utilizing hydrosilylation and alkoxylation chemistry—to create high-performance cell stabilizers for polyurethane/PIR foams, wetting agents, and surface flow additives.

Key Responsibilities

• Molecule Design & Synthesis: Lead the lab-scale synthesis and optimization of organo-modified silicone surfactants, silicone polyethers, and polyether-modified siloxanes.
• Core Chemistry Execution: Direct synthetic pathways centered heavily on hydrosilylation reactions (Si-H addition with allyl/alkoxylated polyethers), balancing silicone-to-polyether ratios (EO/PO) for specific HLB and surfactant performance.
• Application Tuning: Correlate chemical structures with performance metrics in target applications—specifically polyurethane (PU) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) foam cell stabilization, surface tension reduction, and C.A.S.E. flow/leveling.
• Process Scale-Up: Oversee tech transfer from benchtop synthesis through pilot plant to full commercial production, ensuring reactor safety and batch consistency.
• R&D Leadership: Mentor synthetic chemists, manage project timelines, and act as the senior technical authority on silicone additive technology.

Qualifications & Non-Negotiables

• Education: Ph.D. or M.S. in Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Organometallic Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering.
• Experience: 5+ years of hands-on industrial R&D experience specifically in organosilicone synthesis or silicone surfactant development.
• Must-Have Chemistry Skill: Direct, proven expertise with hydrosilylation reaction chemistry and silicone polyether synthesis.
• Application Knowledge: Solid understanding of how silicone surfactants function in polyurethane/PIR foam cell stabilization, emulsification, or C.A.S.E. surface modification.
• Scale-Up Capability: Experience taking organosilicone batch reactions from lab glassware to commercial chemical reactors.