What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Development Chemist position at NIC Industries, Inc.?
Company Description NIC Industries, Inc. manufactures industry-leading coatings that are distributed and sold in nearly 90 countries worldwide. Its divisions—Cerakote, Prismatic Powders, and Cerakote Ceramics—serve diverse markets and have helped NIC become one of the top 25 largest paint and coating manufacturers in the United States. The company’s products are used across technology, aerospace, sporting goods, and automotive industries, providing high-performance solutions for demanding applications. Team members at NIC work in an environment focused on innovation, quality, and global customer impact.
Role Description The Senior Development Chemist is a full-time, on-site role based in White City, OR, responsible for developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting advanced coating systems and related technologies. This role includes designing and executing laboratory experiments, formulating and testing new products, and analyzing data to improve performance, durability, and application characteristics. The chemist collaborates with R&D, production, quality, and technical service teams to translate customer and market needs into viable formulations and process improvements. Daily activities also involve maintaining detailed documentation, ensuring adherence to safety and regulatory standards, and supporting scale-up and commercialization efforts for new and existing products. The Senior Development Chemist may mentor junior staff, contribute to long-term R&D strategy, and participate in cross-functional projects that drive innovation and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Role Description The Senior Development Chemist is a full-time, on-site role based in White City, OR, responsible for developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting advanced coating systems and related technologies. This role includes designing and executing laboratory experiments, formulating and testing new products, and analyzing data to improve performance, durability, and application characteristics. The chemist collaborates with R&D, production, quality, and technical service teams to translate customer and market needs into viable formulations and process improvements. Daily activities also involve maintaining detailed documentation, ensuring adherence to safety and regulatory standards, and supporting scale-up and commercialization efforts for new and existing products. The Senior Development Chemist may mentor junior staff, contribute to long-term R&D strategy, and participate in cross-functional projects that drive innovation and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
- Strong laboratory skills, including experimental design, formulation, testing, and data analysis.
- Expertise in coatings technologies, including paint, powder, and ceramic coatings, and their performance characteristics.
- Experience with quality control practices, test methods, and documentation to ensure consistent product performance.
- Background in research and development (R&D), including product development, scale-up, and process optimization.
- Knowledge of polymers and resin systems relevant to industrial coatings and related materials.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Experience in industrial or specialty coatings environments, ideally in high-performance or niche applications.
- Ability to work safely in a laboratory and production setting, adhering to company and regulatory safety standards.
- Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and capability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Effective communication skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and documenting technical work.