Product Development Chemist

Job Title: Product Development Chemist – Soldering & Brazing Products           

Department: Product Development – Technical Services

Location:         Willoughby, OH

Position Summary:

Are you a hands-on chemist who thrives on turning technical ideas into market-ready, high-performance products? Join Fusion Incorporated as a Product Development Chemist and play a key role in developing, refining, and supporting soldering, brazing, and paste products that serve customers across a range of industries worldwide.

You’ll work closely with our Senior Development Chemist to formulate and enhance alloys, fluxes, and chemical binders, drive product improvements, and facilitate smooth transitions from development through manufacturing. This is a high-impact role for a collaborative problem-solver who excels at practical product development, enjoys innovation and cross-functional teamwork while delivering solutions that meet customer and business needs.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:  

• Drive Product Improvements: Modify existing formulations to solve customer challenges and expand application possibilities.
• Innovate & Formulate: Research, formulate, and optimize new soldering/brazing pastes, powder alloys, chemical binders, and fluxes in partnership with senior technical leadership.
• Lead Lab-to-Plant Transitions: Design and execute laboratory experiments, analyze results, and lead scale-up activities from development to manufacturing.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Partner with Quality, Technical Services, Sales, and customers to troubleshoot issues, verify product requirements, provide recommendations and ensure robust documentation and compliance.
• Support Continuous Improvement: Participate in plant focus groups, perform analytical testing, and contribute to process enhancements that boost efficiency and quality.
• Lead second-source material validation projects and facilitate Materials Review Board meetings to strengthen supply chain resilience. 
• Maintain Core Systems: Manage bill of materials and routers in our ERP system, and help build our IP Formulation database.
• Provide Technical Backup: Assist with SDS database maintenance and serve as a reliable resource across the organization.
• Adhere to Fusion's Quality Policy, ISO 9001 standards, and established procedures: actively seeking opportunities for continuous process improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned or directed for varies Technical Services operations.

Essential Requirements:     

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Metallurgy, Materials Science, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience in a product development lab or technical role (experience with alloys, fluxes, pastes, or brazing/soldering materials is highly preferred).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound, data-driven decisions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills — you’re comfortable collaborating with technical and non-technical stakeholders alike.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• A proactive, team-oriented mindset with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.

Environment and Working Conditions:

This role operates in a dynamic mixed office, laboratory, and plant environment. Occasional handling of lead, cadmium, and other chemicals is required while strictly following safety protocols and using appropriate PPE.

The employee must also be able to:

• Stand, walk, and move throughout the facility for extended periods.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) and safely work around industrial materials and equipment.

Fusion Inc. is committed to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will make every reasonable effort to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities so they can perform the essential functions of this position.

What We Offer:

• Medical, Dental, Prescription and Vision Coverage benefits
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days, Holidays, Bereavement, and Jury Duty
• 401(K) with Company Match and Discretionary Profit Sharing
• Company paid Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Company paid Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Discretionary Company Bonus programs
• A collaborative and supportive work environment

Why Join Fusion Inc?

At Fusion, you’ll be part of a collaborative, innovation-driven team where your work directly impacts product quality and customer success. You’ll gain broad exposure across R&D, manufacturing, quality, and technical services while developing your expertise in a specialized and technically challenging field. And these benefits:

• Fusion Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age (40 and over), disability, genetic information, veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law.