Job Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Job Location: Wheeling, WV
Department: Inkjet R&D
Reports To: Senior Manager of Inkjet Technologies
Supervisory Responsibilities: None currently Objective of the Position The Senior Ink Chemist is responsible for the research, development, formulation, testing, and commercialization of innovative inkjet and security ink technologies that support TROY Group's products and intellectual property. This position serves as a senior technical resource within the Inkjet R&D team and leads complex ink development and troubleshooting initiatives from initial concept through production scale-up and product release. Job Summary / Essential Responsibilities - Lead the formulation and development of new inkjet and security ink products, including the improvement and optimization of existing formulations.
- Independently plan, execute, analyze, and document complex ink development projects using sound scientific methodology.
- Apply advanced knowledge of ink chemistry, formulation principles, and inkjet printing processes to develop products that meet performance, quality, reliability, and application requirements.
- Evaluate the physical and chemical properties of ink formulations, including properties such as viscosity, surface tension, density, color, stability, adhesion, durability, and other performance characteristics as applicable.
- Evaluate ink performance and compatibility with applicable inkjet printing systems, printheads, substrates, and end-use applications.
- Identify, investigate, and resolve complex formulation, printing, application, and product-performance issues.
- Research, identify, evaluate, and qualify new raw materials and technologies for use in existing and future ink formulations.
- Develop raw-material specifications and collaborate with suppliers regarding material selection, performance, quality, and technical requirements.
- Partner closely with Quality Assurance, Production, Engineering, and other departments to successfully transition new products and formulation changes from laboratory development to manufacturing.
- Provide technical support during product scale-up, manufacturing, and troubleshooting activities.
- Develop appropriate testing methodologies and interpret experimental data to guide formulation decisions and product improvements.
- Prepare clear and thorough technical documentation, including laboratory records, project reports, test results, specifications, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Release new products and formulation changes in accordance with established ISO-compliant procedures and applicable ERP requirements.
- Identify and appropriately document intellectual property developed through research and formulation activities and maintain strict confidentiality regarding proprietary formulations, processes, and technologies.
- Serve as a senior technical resource and subject-matter expert for ink formulation and inkjet technology within the organization.
- Provide technical guidance, knowledge sharing, and mentoring to other members of the Inkjet R&D team as appropriate.
- Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, raw materials, industry developments, competitive products, and advancements in inkjet and specialty ink chemistry.
- Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, suppliers, customers, and other external technical resources as needed.
- Manage multiple development projects and priorities simultaneously while meeting established project timelines and business objectives.
- Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure laboratory work is conducted safely, accurately, and in accordance with applicable Company, quality, and ISO standards.
- Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Competencies & Position Requirements - Advanced knowledge of ink formulation principles and the physical and chemical properties that affect ink performance.
- Strong working knowledge of inkjet printing technology and the interaction among ink formulations, printheads, printing systems, substrates, and end-use requirements.
- Demonstrated ability to independently formulate, test, troubleshoot, optimize, and commercialize ink products.
- Strong scientific problem-solving and root-cause-analysis skills.
- Ability to design experiments, analyze technical data, draw sound conclusions, and translate findings into practical product-development decisions.
- Knowledge of pigments, dyes, dispersions, solvents, resins, polymers, surfactants, additives, and other raw materials commonly used in ink formulations, as applicable.
- Experience using laboratory instrumentation used to characterize ink and related materials, such as viscometers, spectrophotometers/color measurement equipment, surface-tension measurement equipment, conductivity meters, microscopes, and other applicable analytical instrumentation.
- Ability to successfully transition formulations from laboratory development through manufacturing scale-up.
- Strong technical writing and documentation skills.
- Strong organizational and project-management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical functions.
- Ability to take ownership of assigned projects and work independently with limited technical supervision.
- Ability to provide technical guidance and effectively transfer specialized knowledge to other team members.
- Ability to work within ISO regulations, standards, and established quality systems.
- Strong computer skills and proficiency with standard business and technical software applications.
- Commitment to maintaining an organized, safe, and professional laboratory environment.
Education & Experience - Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a closely related scientific discipline required.
- Minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in ink formulation, development, or related specialty chemical formulation, including significant hands-on experience with inkjet ink development.
- Demonstrated experience independently leading formulation and product-development projects from concept through testing, optimization, scale-up, and commercialization.
- Experience with industrial inkjet printing technologies and ink/printhead interaction strongly preferred.
- Experience with security inks, specialty inks, functional inks, anti-counterfeiting technologies, specialty pigments or taggants, or other security-related printing technologies preferred.
- Experience working with manufacturing, quality, and suppliers to scale laboratory formulations into commercial production preferred.
- Experience working in an ISO-regulated or similar quality-management environment preferred.
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