What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead R&D Engineer/Scientist position at Solstice Advanced Materials?
Job Description
The Lead Research and Development Engineer/Scientist will be responsible for providing guidance, mentorship, and technical expertise to lead critical project groups. You will utilize your background in areas such as materials science, electronics, sensors, controls, or related fields to guide and contribute to the development of innovative solutions. You will be responsible for identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing best practices to enhance the efficiency of R&D activities.
Be part of a team that applies its expertise and knowledge to new product development and technology projects, finding innovative, cost-effective means to improve research, processes, products, and technologies for Solstice’s Spectra Fiber business. You will facilitate design, development, and testing to meet project objectives faster as you commercialize the next generation of high-performance products within Spectra’s fiber and ballistic composite portfolio.
You will report directly to our R&D Applications Manager, and you’ll work out of our Colonial Heights, VA location on an in-person work schedule.
Key Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
YOU MUST HAVE
Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have asylum or refugee status in the U.S.
Compensation
The annual base salary range for this position is $139K-$209K. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Solstice considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.
Benefits Of Working For Solstice Advanced Materials
In addition to a competitive salary, leading-edge work, and developing solutions side-by-side with dedicated experts in their fields, Solstice Advanced Materials employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes employer-subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 12 Paid Holidays.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 40 days from the job posting date; however, this may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Posting updated 10/30/2025.
Solstice Advanced Materials is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status.
About Us
About Solstice Advanced Materials
Solstice Advanced Materials is a leading global specialty materials company that advances science for smarter outcomes. Solstice offers high-performance solutions that enable critical industries and applications, including refrigerants, semiconductor manufacturing, data center cooling, nuclear power, protective fibers, healthcare packaging and more. Solstice is recognized for developing next-generation materials through some of the industry's most renowned brands such as Solstice®, Genetron®, Aclar®, Spectra®, Fluka™, and Hydranal™. Partnering with over 3,000 customers across more than 120 countries and territories and supported by a robust portfolio of over 5,700 patents, Solstice’s approximately 4,000 employees worldwide drive innovation in materials science. For more information, visit Advanced Materials .
The Lead Research and Development Engineer/Scientist will be responsible for providing guidance, mentorship, and technical expertise to lead critical project groups. You will utilize your background in areas such as materials science, electronics, sensors, controls, or related fields to guide and contribute to the development of innovative solutions. You will be responsible for identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing best practices to enhance the efficiency of R&D activities.
Be part of a team that applies its expertise and knowledge to new product development and technology projects, finding innovative, cost-effective means to improve research, processes, products, and technologies for Solstice’s Spectra Fiber business. You will facilitate design, development, and testing to meet project objectives faster as you commercialize the next generation of high-performance products within Spectra’s fiber and ballistic composite portfolio.
You will report directly to our R&D Applications Manager, and you’ll work out of our Colonial Heights, VA location on an in-person work schedule.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead new fiber/composite product development projects (lab and pilot scale)
- Contribute to intellectual property developments for high performance fiber/polymer processes used in ballistic/medical applications
- Interact with customers on product application development
- Experiment/trial development and execution
- Project management and intellectual property research
- Design analysis and prototyping
- Research and Development
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct research and development activities aligned with organizational goals and objectives
- Design and conduct experiments, simulations, and analyses to drive new technology and product development
- Lead ideation, conceptualization, and prototyping of innovative solutions
- Collaborate with internal and external partners
- Ensure R&D projects meet industry standards, regulatory requirements, and quality protocols
- Contribute to strategies for successful commercialization of R&D innovations
YOU MUST HAVE
- Degree in Engineering or Sciences Discipline (chemical, mechanical, fiber/textiles, chemistry, polymer science or similar)
- 10 years of experience in fiber, polymer, composite, and/or ballistic product development applications
- Proven track record of technical leadership and project management.
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements and quality standards in product development.
- Advanced degree in Fiber, Textile, or Chemical Engineering is desirable.
- Hands on experience with UHMWPE fiber, energy absorbing composites, or ballistic product design/testing.
- Experience with fiber production and processing (gel spinning, melt spinning, etc)
- Experience with armor end article fabrication, textiles, and/or ballistic testing.
- Significant experience working in cross-functional teams to develop new products and technology in highly regulated environments.
- Experience in design of experiments, product design, and customer applications support.
- Team oriented with excellent interpersonal skills – ability to lead, motivate, develop, and mentor others.
- Self-starter, with the ability to analyze and solve complex problems.
- Individuals who are able to work without guidance or supervision and have demonstrated knowledge of engineering techniques to optimize design processes
- Track record of successful contributions to products/projects in a matrix organization.
Due to compliance with U.S. export control laws and regulations, candidate must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, or have asylum or refugee status in the U.S.
Compensation
The annual base salary range for this position is $139K-$209K. Please note that this salary information serves as a general guideline. Solstice considers various factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education and training, key skills, as well as market and business considerations.
Benefits Of Working For Solstice Advanced Materials
In addition to a competitive salary, leading-edge work, and developing solutions side-by-side with dedicated experts in their fields, Solstice Advanced Materials employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. This package includes employer-subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance; Short-Term and Long-Term Disability; 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, EAP, and Educational Assistance; Parental Leave, Paid Time Off (for vacation, personal business, sick time, and parental leave), and 12 Paid Holidays.
The application period for the job is estimated to be 40 days from the job posting date; however, this may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Posting updated 10/30/2025.
Solstice Advanced Materials is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, religion, or veteran status.
About Us
About Solstice Advanced Materials
Solstice Advanced Materials is a leading global specialty materials company that advances science for smarter outcomes. Solstice offers high-performance solutions that enable critical industries and applications, including refrigerants, semiconductor manufacturing, data center cooling, nuclear power, protective fibers, healthcare packaging and more. Solstice is recognized for developing next-generation materials through some of the industry's most renowned brands such as Solstice®, Genetron®, Aclar®, Spectra®, Fluka™, and Hydranal™. Partnering with over 3,000 customers across more than 120 countries and territories and supported by a robust portfolio of over 5,700 patents, Solstice’s approximately 4,000 employees worldwide drive innovation in materials science. For more information, visit Advanced Materials .
Salary : $139,000 - $209,000