R&D- Staff Scientist (Industrial Wood)

Job description

The Staff Scientist provides technical leadership and drives innovation within the Industrial Wood portfolio, with primary focus on Kitchen cabinets, furniture, flooring, and specialty markets while supporting Building Products and other SW technological needs. This role develops, optimizes, and commercializes advanced coatings systems while serving as a key technical resource for industrial customers. The Staff Scientist is accountable for solving complex product and process challenges using deep expertise in chemistry, substrates, and testing.

The role delivers timely, high-quality technical solutions across the division and enterprise and serves as a customer-facing technical expert. In addition, the position plays a critical role in mentoring others and fostering a culture of scientific rigor, continuous improvement, and customer-focused innovation. This role leads and contributes to projects spanning exploratory research, proof of concept, stage-gate development, commercialization, and service support.

The Staff Scientist partners closely with Marketing and Sales to shape the multi‑generational product roadmap and ensure on-time product launches aligned with business strategy. Strong understanding of product design, regulatory requirements, raw materials strategies, and regional/global technical initiatives is required. Job duties include contact with other employees and access to confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised.

The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s staff, employees, and business relationships. 20% Travel

Responsibilities

Lead technical development and maintenance of business activities for the Industrial Wood portfolio. Serve as a technical liaison to Marketing by supporting technology road mapping, competitive assessment, and customer-facing technical activities. Coordinate with internal Innovation teams to ensure visibility, alignment, and effective transition of new technologies. Lead or support global technology development, product development, and service projects through commercialization.

Drive new and modified product introductions that address customer and industry needs. Operate independently to identify, recommend, and lead strategic R&D initiatives. Collaborate across labs, disciplines, and stakeholders to deliver market-ready solutions. Influence customers and stakeholders through clear, persuasive technical communication. Improve efficiency by standardizing practices and eliminating redundant development across labs.

Mentor and develop R&D team members.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Must be legally authorized to work in the country for which you are applying for employment (without now or in the future needing sponsorship for employment work visa and/or permanent residence status)
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.
• 12 years of coatings-specific industry experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of coatings manufacturing and application processes.
• Project support through effective data analysis.
• Ability to utilize standard software applications including Minitab, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of OEM paint and coatings experience.
• 15 years of coatings-specific industry experience.
• Experience working with products and technologies including Solvent-based, Water-based and UV technologies for OEM application. Wood coating experience is a plus.
• Experience on customer application lines.
• Customer-facing technical leadership.
• DFSS or Lean Green Belt certified.
• Kepner-Tregoe (KT) trained. Successful candidate will be required to sign an Employee Restrictive Covenant Agreement where permitted by law.