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Principal Chemist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Chemist is responsible for the development and management of formulation projects to assist ... Customers, Principals

Principal Propellant Chemist

Tucson, AZ ยท On-site

$90 - $120/hr

Job Overview The Materials Engineering Department (NE-SW) within the Mechanical Products Team is looking for a propellant chemist with chemical analysis and nonโ€‘metal materials application ...

Associate Chemist

Iselin, NJ ยท On-site

$22/hr

The Wet Chemistry Elemental Analysis lab is a high volume and fast paced group, providing accurate ... Principal Responsibilities Perform sample preparation procedures for all materials produced by R&D ...

Associate Chemist

Iselin, NJ ยท On-site

$22/hr

The Wet Chemistry Elemental Analysis lab is a high volume and fast paced group, providing accurate ... Principal Responsibilities Perform sample preparation procedures for all materials produced by R&D ...

Principal Epoxy Chemist

Rocky Hill, CT ยท On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Guide and mentor junior chemists and provide technicalleadership within the team What makes you a good fit * Master's or PhD degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Materials ...

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Principal Chemist information

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$36.5K

$109.4K

$182K

How much do principal chemist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal chemist in the United States is $109,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,000.00 and $125,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a principal chemist make?

A principal chemist typically earns between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. They often hold advanced degrees and have extensive expertise in chemical research, development, and leadership roles within laboratories or manufacturing settings.

What are some common challenges faced by principal chemists when overseeing multiple research projects simultaneously?

Principal Chemists often manage several complex research projects at once, which requires strong organizational and leadership skills. Balancing competing priorities, ensuring accurate data analysis, and meeting project deadlines can be challenging, especially when coordinating with multidisciplinary teams. Effective communication and delegation are key to overcoming these challenges, as is staying current with industry regulations and advancements. This role also involves mentoring junior chemists and ensuring high standards of laboratory safety and compliance.

What is a principal chemist?

A Principal Chemist is a senior-level scientist who leads research and development projects in the field of chemistry. They are responsible for designing experiments, analyzing complex data, and developing new products or processes. Principal Chemists often supervise teams of chemists and technicians, provide technical expertise, and ensure compliance with safety and regulatory standards. They play a key role in driving innovation and advancing scientific knowledge within their organization.

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

To thrive as a Principal Chemist, you need advanced knowledge in chemistry, extensive laboratory experience, and typically a master's or PhD in chemistry or a related field. Familiarity with analytical instruments (such as HPLC, GC-MS), laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and relevant regulatory standards is essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills set outstanding Principal Chemists apart. These skills are vital for leading research projects, ensuring accurate results, and driving innovation in a laboratory environment.

What is the difference between Principal Chemist vs Senior Chemist?

AspectPrincipal ChemistSenior Chemist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, PhD often preferred, relevant certificationsBachelor's or Master's in Chemistry, some roles may prefer certifications
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing facilities, R&D departmentsResearch labs, quality control, product development teams
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, chemicals, manufacturing companiesPharmaceuticals, chemicals, industrial sectors
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for seniority and responsibilitiesOften compared to Principal Chemist for experience level

The Principal Chemist typically holds a higher level of responsibility, overseeing projects and guiding teams, while the Senior Chemist focuses on executing research and development tasks. Both roles require strong chemistry expertise, but the Principal Chemist often has more leadership duties and strategic input.

More about Principal Chemist jobs
What cities are hiring for Principal Chemist jobs? Cities with the most Principal Chemist job openings:
What states have the most Principal Chemist jobs? States with the most job openings for Principal Chemist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Principal Chemist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $109,393 per year, or $52.6 per hour.

Principal Scientist/Senior Principal Scientist, Process Chemistry

Zoetis Spain SL

Kalamazoo, MI โ€ข On-site

$170 - $230/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

Principal Scientist/Senior Principal Scientist, Process ChemistrySkip to main content#Principal Scientist/Senior Principal Scientist, Process Chemistry page is loaded## Principal Scientist/Senior Principal Scientist, Process ChemistryApplylocations: Kalamazoo - Downtown Portage Streettime type: Full timeposted on: Posted 11 Days Agojob requisition id: JR00020614**Role Description****Position Summary:**The Principal Scientist / Senior Principal Scientist is an experienced scientific leader within process chemistry, leveraging advanced knowledge across multiple disciplines to innovate, troubleshoot, and optimize complex chemical syntheses and scale-up processes. This role requires a highly motivated and independent leader with a proven track record in pharmaceutical or veterinary medicine research and development, capable of driving projects from lead candidate identification through commercial process technical transfer. The successful candidate will lead multi-disciplinary teams, applying deep technical and functional expertise to independently design and execute complex experiments and projects, often in ambiguous situations with significant uncertainty. As a key scientific resource, incumbent influences strategic direction, drives novel experimental approaches across multiple projects, and ensures alignment of work with departmental and organizational goals. The role demands strong people management skills, including mentoring, coaching, and career development of colleagues, while championing productivity improvements and fostering collaboration across functions. Additionally, the candidate may serve as a project leader for various corporate initiatives, providing strategic direction and driving alignment with broader organizational objectives in a global setting.**Essential Duties and Responsibilities:*** Lead process chemistry efforts, including design, development, and scale-up of chemical syntheses for novel veterinary therapeutics.* Independently design, scale-up, and optimize synthetic processes from mg to multi-kilogram scale.* Apply the principles of green chemistry in API process design to select safer solvents and reagents, minimize waste, reduce environmental impact and improve overall efficiency.* Develop and execute impurity control strategies to ensure product quality, safety and regulatory compliance* Provide strategic direction and support across multiple projects simultaneously, acting as a scientific resource and technical leader within the group.* Lead technology transfer activities to commercial manufacturing facilities ensuring processes are safe, robust, economical, and environmentally responsible.* Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, understanding the significance and impact of decisions on project progression. Make recommendations to management regarding key sensitive and high impact decisions; involves stakeholders in important decisions affecting them.* Prepare and review technical and regulatory documentation, including CMC dossiers and development reports.* Develop and implement innovative strategies, tools, and technologies for continuous process improvement.* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive digital transformation initiatives in Process Chemistry.* Champion novel experimental approaches and business management tools to enhance productivity and impact.* Mentor and supervise colleagues, providing guidance, coaching, and career development support.* Represent the chemistry function on global research project teams and develop constructive relationships with internal and external partners.* Contribute to intellectual property strategy, including the protection and filing of small molecule IP.**Requirements:*** Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry with minimum of 8 years of industry experience in pharmaceutical or veterinary medicine, process chemistry research and development, and at least 2 years of leadership experience managing teams or projects.* Broad expertise in modern synthetic organic chemistry, with a track record of strategic and innovative solutions to synthetic problems. Proficiency in chemical literature searching (SciFinder, Reaxys, etc.), and in compound characterization and spectral analysis (HPLC, GC, NMR, UV, LC-MS).* Extensive hands-on experience in process chemistry scale-up, including multi-kilogram scale API manufacturing and technology transfer.* Experience with technical and operational risk assessments (e.g., process robustness/FMEA, mutagenic impurities, nitrosamines, PFAS, E&L, etc.).* Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively influence project teams, external partners, and management.* Working knowledge of ICH guidelines and cGMP requirements.* Knowledge of process safety requirements and regulations (such as OSHA, REACH, and other relevant standards) applicable to chemical manufacturing and API processes.* Experience with automated laboratory reactors and data-rich experimentation, Design of Experiments (DOE), Quality by Design (QbD) concepts* Experience working in dynamic global environments and collaborating with contract organizations (CROs/CMOs/CDMOs).* Knowledge of small molecule intellectual property strategies and filings.**Preferred/Plus Qualifications*** Post-doctoral experience.* Experience with animal health Industry and veterinary medicine drug development.* Experience with the development and implementation of continuous flow manufacturing processes.* Experience with data analytics, digital transformation, and use of AI/ML in Process Chemistry.Full timeRegularColleagueAny unsolicited resumes sent to Zoetis from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Zoetis mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Zoetis employees, or to Zoetis resume database will be considered Zoetis property. Zoetis will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.Zoetis will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.***Notice:** Zoetis Recruiters will contact candidates via email from an address ending in **@zoetis.com** and may also initially connect with candidates through **LinkedIn**, including LinkedIn InMail. Zoetis does not use Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or other web-based/generic email domains to communicate about job opportunities, interviews, or offers of employment. If you receive a recruitment-related email message claiming to be from Zoetis that does not come from **@zoetis.com**, please treat it as suspicious. For your security, do not reply, click links, open attachments, share personal or financial information, or send money in response to unexpected or questionable recruitment communications.*Zoetis is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status or any other protected classification. Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity to use our online application system. We offer reasonable accommodations as an alternative if requested by an individual with a disability. Please contact Zoetis Colleague Services at zoetiscolleagueservices@zoetis.com to request an accommodation. Zoetis also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. All applicants must possess or obtain authorization to work in the US for Zoetis. Zoetis retains sole and exclusive discretion to pursue sponsorship for the acquisition or maintenance of nonimmigrant status and employment eligibility, considering factors such as availability of qualified US workers. Individuals requiring sponsorship must disclose this fact. Please note that Zoetis seeks information related to job applications from candidates for jobs in the U.S. solely via the following: (1) our company website at www.Zoetis.com/careers site, or (2) via email to/from addresses using only the Zoetis domain of โ€œ@zoetis.comโ€. In addition, Zoetis does not use Google Hangout for any recruitment related activities. Any solicitation or request for information related to job applications with Zoetis via any other means and/or utilizing email addresses with any other domain should be disregarded. In addition, Zoetis will never ask candidates to make any type of personal financial investment related to gaining employment with Zoetis. #J-18808-Ljbffr