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Senior PhD Lubricant Formulation Chemist

CPS, Inc.
Virginia, VA Full Time
POSTED ON 5/24/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 7/18/2026
PhD Lubricant Formulation Chemist

If you have a PhD and have been working in industry for more than 5 years, this could be an incredible career move for you! Due to promotion, this exciting position has opened up. We are looking for someone who thrives in a collaborative R&D environment using hypothesis driven experimental design to create new lubricant formulations in conjunction with customers, commercial, and regulatory interactions. People here call this home and are promoted often!

Lead formulation projects in the development of next generation Engine Oil additives. Lead Cost-of-Goods Sold (COGS) and Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) improvement projects including the evaluation of new componentry and projects addressing ever-changing environmental regulations. Lead research projects looking to improve our fundamental understanding of the performance impacts of different chemistries and formulation styles.

Responsibilities:

  • Develop fundamental understanding of Engine Oil technologies using new or existing components, base oils, etc., in line with identified technical and business needs. Responsibility for all technical aspects of the development process including setting up of test matrices using statistical design of experiments, test development, test scheduling and the interpretation and reporting of resulting data.
  • Use appropriate methodology to improve the performance, durability and functionality of Engine Oil additive technologies in line with identified technical and business needs.
  • Maintain accurate, up-to-date lab notebooks in accordance with established company policy. Maintain objectivity and accuracy in reporting and recording data.
  • Technical project management in line with Product Development Process. May coordinate several workstreams in parallel.
  • Where necessary, represent the company in technical societies and other industry activities. Maintain adequate level of technical expertise and self-development through study, seminars, etc. Keep informed of advanced developments inside and outside the company. Represent products at customer and OEM interfaces as required.
  • May direct the work of technicians and other chemists assigned to projects.
  • Complete special assignments and participate in project teams as required for business needs and for your personal development.
  • Take personal responsibility for a safe working environment in the office and laboratory. Know, understand and consistently adhere to established safety policy and procedures. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of changes or additions to safety procedures and assist in safety training activities as required.
  • Interact and maintain technical relationship with 3rd party suppliers.
  • Work with Legal team to ensure effective protection and generation of IP.

Salary

$100,000 - $140,000

Benefits

Broad insurance packages, 401K, Pension Plan, Summertime work hours, 3 weeks vacation, and more!

Experience:

PhD required with 5-10 years of Hypothesis based formulation skills, maybe from automotive, but will look at ag chems, oil and gas, drilling fluids, and any general lubricant, coatings, pigment dispersion, maybe even plastic additives, etc. Project Management experience, DOE, Experimental Design, strong skills in Structure Property relationship evaluation. We require a strong formulator with a great personality who is humble, yet able to ask questions, and outgoing enough to be in front of customers.

  • If you’d like to hear more about this opportunity and others we are currently working on, please contact Stephanie Kemp at skemp@cps4jobs.com.

JO: 34.26SK

Salary : $100,000 - $140,000

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