Principal Chemist

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Principal Chemist | Shape the Future of Adhesive & Sealant Innovation

Location: Stillwater, MN Department: R&D Full-Time | Senior Leadership Role

About the Opportunity

Polywater is seeking an accomplished Principal Chemist to drive innovation and technical excellence across our portfolio of high-performance adhesives, sealants, lubricants, and specialty chemical systems.

In this pivotal role, you’ll provide both scientific leadership and strategic direction, working alongside a skilled team of chemists in developing next-generation materials that solve complex, real-world challenges in demanding applications. You’ll collaborate closely with executive leadership to define product roadmaps, shape R&D priorities, and champion innovation from concept to commercialization.

This is a rare opportunity for a senior-level chemist to have visible impact, broad autonomy, and a direct voice in shaping Polywater’s technical future.

Key Responsibilities

Contribute to R&D strategy and execution for adhesives, sealants, and related product lines, ensuring alignment with market needs and long-term business goals.
Design and optimize formulations with a focus on adhesion science, polymer chemistry, and performance under challenging environmental conditions.
Translate technical insights into business strategy, partnering with leadership to identify growth opportunities and competitive advantages.
Oversee scale-up, testing, and validation to ensure product consistency, reliability, and compliance with regulatory and customer specifications.
Advance analytical and performance testing capabilities within the lab; champion scientific rigor and continuous improvement.
Mentor and develop technical staff, fostering innovation, collaboration, and professional growth within the R&D team.
Represent Polywater externally as a technical authority in adhesives and sealants—engaging with customers, suppliers, and industry thought leaders.

What you Bring

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Polymer Science; Master's or Ph.D. is a plus
10+ years of progressive R&D experience in adhesives, sealants, or related polymer systems, with a proven record of successful product launches
Deep expertise in formulation chemistry, adhesion mechanisms, and material performance optimization.
Demonstrated ability to lead complex projects from concept through commercialization
Exceptional communication and leadership skills; able to influence across technical and business teams
Strategic thinker with a strong commercial orientation and a passion for innovation

Why Polywater

At Polywater, innovation isn't just a goal - it's our identity. You'll join a respected, growth-oriented company known for technical excellence and integrity, where your work directly impacts performance, reliability, and customer trust in industries worldwide.

We offer:

Opportunities to define and lead strategic technical initiatives
A collaborative environment with strong executive support for R&D innovation
Competitive compensation and benefits commensurate with senior-level expertise.

Team Member Benefits:

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision coverage
Company-paid life and AD&D insurance
Short-term and long-term disability coverage
401(k) with company match
Stock Ownership
Quarterly Profit Sharing
Paid time off and paid holidays
A collaborative environment with strong executive support for R&D innovation
Competitive compensation and benefits commensurate with senior-level expertise.
A culture that values curiosity, accountability, and scientific excellence.

Polywater is also proud to be an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company. This means our team members are not just employees - they're employee-owners. Each year, eligible employees receive company stock at no cost to them. As the company grows and succeeds, so does each person's ESOP account value. It's a meaningful long-term wealth-building opportunity and reinforces our culture of shared success, teamwork, and pride in the work we do.

Compensation Range: $140,000 - $200,000 DOE

Range includes base salary plus profit sharing.

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