Freelance Ink Formulation Chemist Jobs in California

Why join our team

At HP, we exist to amaze through the technologies we create, the experiences we enable, and the impact we deliver for customers around the world. As an Ink Technology Chemist on HP's global Technical Ink Manufacturing team, you will help develop and advance innovative inks and fluids that power industry-leading inkjet and 3D printing solutions. This role offers the opportunity to work with diverse teams, solve complex technical challenges, and influence products from development through manufacturing. We welcome candidates who are curious, collaborative, and eager to learn, bringing a passion for science and technology, a growth mindset, and a desire to help shape the future of digital printing.

Job Summary

The Ink Technology Chemist develops, optimizes, and supports ink, dispersion, and related chemical technologies throughout the product lifecycle, from research and development through manufacturing implementation and ongoing product support. This role combines formulation science, process development, scale-up, technical problem solving, and cross-functional leadership to deliver solutions that meet performance, quality, manufacturability, regulatory, cost, and supply requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize ink, dispersion, and related formulations to achieve product performance, quality, manufacturability, cost, and supply objectives.

• Lead technical projects from concept through product introduction, qualification, manufacturing implementation, and lifecycle support.

• Apply expertise in formulation science, pigment and dye chemistry, polymers, colloidal systems, and surface chemistry to solve complex technical challenges.

• Design and execute experiments, analyze data, and translate findings into actionable technical recommendations.

• Support process development, manufacturing scale-up, technology transfer, and production readiness activities.

• Lead technical investigations and resolve formulation, process, quality, and manufacturing issues.

• Collaborate with R&D, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, regulatory, and supplier partners to deliver business objectives.

• Support supplier qualification, material evaluation, change management, and risk mitigation efforts.

• Communicate technical progress, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders and management.

• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to project teams and fellow chemists.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related field.

• Experience in formulation development, dispersion technology, pigment or dye chemistry, polymers, colloidal systems, surface chemistry, or related disciplines.

• Strong scientific problem-solving and data analysis skills.

• Experience supporting product development, qualification, scale-up, or manufacturing operations.

• Proven ability to lead technical projects and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with inkjet printing technologies and color science.

• Experience developing inks, dispersions, coatings, paints, colorants, or other particle-based formulations.

• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, scale-up methodologies, and process optimization.

• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and data-driven development.

• Experience with supplier collaboration, regulatory compliance, or quality systems.

• Experience generating intellectual property, patents, or technical publications.

The pay range for this role is$93,400to$143,800USD annually with additional opportunities for pay in the form of bonus and/or equity (applies to United States of America candidates only). Pay varies by work location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Benefits:
HP offers a comprehensive benefits package for this position, including:

• Health insurance

• Dental insurance

• Vision insurance

• Long term/short term disability insurance

• Employee assistance program

• Flexible spending account

• Life insurance

• Generous time off policies, including;

• 4-12 weeks fully paid parental leave based on tenure

• 11 paid holidays

• Additional flexible paid vacation and sick leave (US benefits overview)

The compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.