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Formulation Chemist Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Trelleborg

Development Chemist

Mason City, IA

Evaluate the consequences of formulation or process changes and provide clear guidance to stakeholders. * Support quality, purchasing, and customer-facing teams with technical insight and problem ...

Trelleborg

Development Chemist

Mason City, IA · On-site

Evaluate the consequences of formulation or process changes and provide clear guidance to stakeholders. * Support quality, purchasing, and customer-facing teams with technical insight and problem ...

ChampionX

Field Production Chemist

Storm Lake, IA

Production Chemistry: * Monitor chemical programs at all North Slope facilities with a diverse background of technical knowledge and experience and focus on continuous improvement of current chemical ...

Clean Harbors

CleanPack Chemist (CDL)

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$15.63 - $41.54/hr

The Environmental Field Chemist are (NOT) laboratory-based Chemist. Clean Harbors is the leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico ...

CleanHarbors

CleanPack Chemist (CDL)

Des Moines, IA

$25/hr

The Environmental Field Chemist are (NOT) laboratory-based Chemist. Clean Harbors is the leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico ...

Clean Harbors

CleanPack Chemist (CDL)

Des Moines, IA

$25/hr

The Environmental Field Chemist are (NOT) laboratory-based Chemist. Clean Harbors is the leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico ...

Clean Harbors

CleanPack Chemist (CDL)

Des Moines, IA

$25/hr

The Environmental Field Chemist are (NOT) laboratory-based Chemist. Clean Harbors is the leading provider of environmental, energy and industrial services throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico ...

Hydrite

QC Chemist - 3rd Shift

Waterloo, IA

JOIN A TOP WORKPLACE - QC CHEMIST The primary purpose of this position is to perform required quality control analysis of incoming, manufacturing and outgoing material with authority to make ...

Hydrite

QC Chemist - 3rd Shift

Waterloo, IA · On-site

JOIN A TOP WORKPLACE - QC CHEMIST The primary purpose of this position is to perform required quality control analysis of incoming, manufacturing and outgoing material with authority to make ...

Hydrite

QC Chemist - 3rd Shift

Waterloo, IA

JOIN A TOP WORKPLACE - QC CHEMIST The primary purpose of this position is to perform required quality control analysis of incoming, manufacturing and outgoing material with authority to make ...

Hydrite

QC Chemist - 3rd Shift

Cedar Falls, IA

JOIN A TOP WORKPLACE - QC CHEMIST The primary purpose of this position is to perform required quality control analysis of incoming, manufacturing and outgoing material with authority to make ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsFormulation Chemist JobsFormulation Chemist Jobs in Iowa

Formulation Chemist information

See Iowa salary details

$32.9K

$82.4K

$139K

How much do formulation chemist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for formulation chemist in Iowa is $82,404.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,400.00 and $103,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a formulation chemist?

A formulation chemist helps in the product testing and development of pharmaceuticals or household products, like cleaners, cosmetics, and soaps. Your duties include mixing different agents or compounds and performing tests, such as UV tests, to determine product safety and potential for use. Some formulation chemists work in other industries such as the oil and gas industry where they inspect octane levels for car fuel. You might also find work as a cosmetic chemist where you test makeup and perfumes. Others work in the food industry, testing and creating ingredients and flavor additives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a formulation chemist?

To excel as a Formulation Chemist, you need a strong background in chemistry or chemical engineering, typically with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field. Proficiency in laboratory techniques, analytical instruments (such as HPLC, GC, or spectrophotometry), and familiarity with regulatory standards like GMP are often required. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and strong communication skills help you collaborate effectively and ensure product quality. These capabilities are crucial for developing stable, effective formulations that meet safety, efficacy, and regulatory requirements.

What are some typical challenges a formulation chemist faces when working on new product development?

Formulation Chemists often encounter challenges such as balancing the stability, efficacy, and safety of new products while meeting regulatory requirements and cost constraints. They must troubleshoot issues like ingredient incompatibilities, unexpected chemical reactions, or scale-up difficulties when moving from lab to production. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, such as quality assurance and manufacturing, is essential to address these challenges and ensure a successful product launch.

What is the difference between Formulation Chemist vs Analytical Chemist?

AspectFormulation ChemistAnalytical Chemist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or related fieldBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories focused on product development and formulationLaboratories focused on testing and analyzing samples
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and consumer goods companiesQuality control labs, research institutions, manufacturing plants
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Formulation Chemists focus on developing and optimizing product formulations, while Analytical Chemists specialize in testing and analyzing samples to ensure quality and compliance. Both roles require strong chemistry backgrounds and often work together in product development and quality assurance processes.

More about Formulation Chemist jobs

What are popular job titles related to Formulation Chemist jobs in Iowa?

For Formulation Chemist jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Formulation Chemist jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Formulation Chemist jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Formulation Chemist jobs in IA?

For Formulation Chemist jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Formulation Chemist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Formulation Chemist job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $82,404 per year, or $39.6 per hour.

Development Chemist

Trelleborg

Mason City, IA

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago

Trelleborg rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

84th of 545 rated manufacturers

Job description

Technical Leadership & Material Expertise

  • Act as the subject-matter expert on rubber materials, formulations, and processing interactions.
  • Analyze how raw materials, mixing parameters, and downstream processes affect compound performance.
  • Evaluate the consequences of formulation or process changes and provide clear guidance to stakeholders.
  • Support quality, purchasing, and customer-facing teams with technical insight and problem-solving.

Compound Development Ownership

  • Lead the full lifecycle of compound development—from initial concept and formulation through pilot trials and full-scale production.
  • Maintain accountability for performance, manufacturability, cost, and customer satisfaction at every stage.
  • Document development work, testing results, and decision rationales to ensure traceability and continuous improvement.

R&D Mixing Lab Leadership

  • Establish, equip, and operate an R&D mixing laboratory to support innovation, testing, and rapid prototyping.
  • Develop lab procedures, safety protocols, and testing workflows aligned with production requirements.
  • Use the lab to accelerate development cycles, validate new materials, and troubleshoot production issues.

Collaboration with Mixing Facility

  • Partner closely with the mixing facility and its team to align capabilities, processes, and development needs.
  • Ensure smooth scale-up from lab to production by coordinating trials, optimizing parameters, and validating performance.
  • Provide technical training, guidance, and support to mixing personnel as needed.

Core Responsibilities

Formulation & Recipe Development

  • Develop new rubber formulations and compound recipes tailored to performance, processing, and cost requirements.
  • Maintain and continuously refine existing formulations to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with evolving material availability and customer needs.

Cost Optimization & VAVE

  • Identify and execute materialbased costreduction opportunities without compromising performance.
  • Lead ValueAdd/ValueEngineered (VAVE) initiatives by evaluating alternative raw materials, optimizing formulations, and improving process efficiency.

Project Leadership

  • Drive technical and crossfunctional projects from concept through implementation, ensuring alignment with timelines, deliverables, and business objectives.
  • Coordinate with purchasing, quality, production, and customer teams to ensure smooth execution and clear communication.

R&D Lab Development

  • Build and develop an R&D laboratory to support formulation work, testing, and rapid prototyping.
  • Establish lab workflows, equipment needs, safety practices, and testing capabilities that mirror or support production processes.

Team & Meeting Leadership

  • Lead technical discussions, crossfunctional meetings, and project reviews with clarity and authority.
  • Facilitate collaboration across departments to ensure alignment on materials, processes, and development priorities.

Continuous Improvement

  • Champion continuous improvement initiatives across formulation, mixing, testing, and production processes.
  • Use data, testing results, and rootcause analysis to drive improvements in quality, performance, and efficiency.

Technical Communication & Presentations

  • Prepare and deliver clear, compelling presentations for internal teams, leadership, and customers.
  • Translate complex technical information into actionable insights for nontechnical stakeholders.

Data Analysis & Reporting

  • Analyze test results, production data, and material performance trends to guide decisionmaking.
  • Compile concise, wellstructured summaries and technical reports that document findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

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