What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead R&D Chemist – Energetic Materials position at Rhodes Wolfe?
Lead R&D Chemist – Energetic Materials
Location: Galena, KS (Ideal for Those Who Love the Outdoors; Relocation Assistance is Available)
Salary: Base Profit Sharing Benefits
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Holidays, PTO
Job Type: Full-Time
Typical Hours: 9/80 Schedule, Every Other Friday Off
Travel: Occasional Domestic Travel Rare International Travel
Sponsorship is not available
Lead R&D Chemist Description
Our client, UTEC, a leader in the commercial energetic materials and explosives industry, is looking for a Lead R&D Chemist to drive development efforts and support the company’s continued growth. This role combines hands-on scientific expertise with technical leadership, team development, customer engagement, and strategic support across the business. The ideal candidate brings deep experience in energetic materials, commercial explosives, or similarly reactive systems, along with the ability to guide a small technical team (3-5), translate complex concepts for customers and stakeholders, and identify new application opportunities that advance innovation. This is a highly cross-functional role with exposure across multiple industries and applications, partnering with leading organizations in explosives, mining, defense, and energetic materials. It’s a rare chance to shape technical direction, influence product development, and make a meaningful impact in a highly specialized industry.
Important Note: We are working directly with UTEC Corporation. To be considered for an interview, please apply directly to this job posting.
Lead R&D Chemist Responsibilities
• Lead research, development, and improvement of commercial formulations and related products involving energetic materials, explosives, and hazardous chemical systems
• Oversee a small team of scientists, technicians, and laboratory personnel
• Drive formulation development, testing, scale-up activities, and process optimization efforts
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, ATF, environmental, and laboratory safety regulations
• Collaborate with operations and technical personnel to execute customer projects
• Serve as a technical resource for customers; communicating findings, troubleshooting challenges, and identifying potential solutions
• Contribute to project planning, resource allocation, and laboratory priorities
• Drive innovation, and commercialization of new applications through customer engagement and technical partnerships
Lead R&D Chemist Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in chemistry or physics required
• 7 years of experience with energetic materials or commercial explosives required
• Strong background with R&D and product development required
• Experience with formulation development, testing, scale-up, and process safety required
• Ability to obtain ATF Employee Possessor status required