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Product Development Chemist Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Henkel

Product Development Chemist

Madison Heights, MI · On-site

$70K - $87K/yr

What you'll do * Lead new product development projects for adhesive and sealant technologies ... Masters Degree (or equivalent experience) in Materials Science, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering

PPG

Lead Development Chemist

Adrian, MI

Lead Development Chemist responsible for managing special adhesives and sealants projects at the ... Facilitate product launches through involvement in the Secure Launch process * Develop technical ...

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Product Development Chemist information

See Michigan salary details

$43.6K

$72.7K

$117.7K

How much do product development chemist jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development chemist in Michigan is $72,659.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,000.00 and $93,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a product development chemist do?

A Product Development Chemist is responsible for designing, formulating, and testing new products, typically in industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, or chemicals. They conduct experiments, analyze results, and refine formulations to meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards. Their work involves close collaboration with other departments such as engineering, marketing, and quality assurance to ensure the product meets market needs and company goals. They also document their processes and maintain compliance with industry regulations.

What are some common challenges faced by product development chemists when bringing new products from concept to launch?

Product Development Chemists often face challenges such as balancing innovative formulations with regulatory compliance, sourcing reliable raw materials, and ensuring product stability and scalability. They must collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including R&D, quality assurance, and manufacturing, to troubleshoot issues and adapt formulations as needed. Effective communication and adaptability are crucial, as project requirements or market expectations can shift during the development process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a product development chemist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Product Development Chemist, you need a strong background in chemistry, analytical techniques, and formulation science, typically supported by a degree in chemistry or related fields. Familiarity with laboratory instrumentation (such as HPLC, GC, and spectrophotometers), safety protocols, and regulatory compliance systems is essential. Creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration are vital soft skills for developing innovative products and working effectively with cross-functional teams. These skills and qualifications ensure the safe, efficient, and successful creation of new chemical products that meet market and regulatory demands.

What is the difference between Product Development Chemist vs Quality Control Chemist?

AspectProduct Development ChemistQuality Control Chemist
Primary FocusCreating and improving products, formulation developmentTesting and inspecting products to ensure quality standards
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D departmentsManufacturing facilities, labs for testing
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Chemistry or related field, experience in formulationBachelor's in Chemistry or related field, knowledge of testing methods
Industry UsageProduct innovation, formulation designProduct verification, quality assurance

While both roles require a chemistry background, Product Development Chemists focus on creating and improving products, whereas Quality Control Chemists ensure products meet quality standards through testing. Both roles are essential in the product lifecycle and often collaborate within the same industry sectors.

What are the most commonly searched types of Product Development Chemist jobs in Michigan?

The most popular types of Product Development Chemist jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Product Development Chemist jobs in Michigan?

For Product Development Chemist jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Product Development Chemist jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Product Development Chemist jobs in Michigan are:

What are popular job titles related to Product Development Chemist jobs in MI?

For Product Development Chemist jobs in MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Product Development Chemist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Product Development Chemist job openings in Michigan 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 $72,659 per year, or $34.9 per hour.

Product Development Chemist

Henkel

Madison Heights, MI • On-site

$70K - $87K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Henkel rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 63 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

25th of 104 rated chemical manufacturers

Job description

About this Position
AtHenkel, you'll be part of an organization that's shaping the future throughinnovation, sustainability and collaboration. With our trusted brands likePersil®, 'all®, Loctite®, Snuggle®, and Schwarzkopf® and our cutting-edgetechnologies, you'll have countless opportunities to explore new paths andgrow.
Thisposition is with our Adhesive Technologies business unit - where we empower ourpeople to transform industries and provide our customers with a competitiveadvantage through adhesives, sealants and functional coatings.
Dare to learn new skills, advance in your career andmake an impact at Henkel. What you'll do
  • Lead new product development projects for adhesive and sealant technologies, guiding products from concept through commercialization.
  • Design, execute, and analyze laboratory experiments to evaluate formulation performance, adhesion and other properties.
  • Partners cross-functionally with Application Engineering, Sales, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and more to deliver customer-focused solutions and implement new product introductions.
  • Ensure all new products comply with global chemical regulations, product requirements, and customer specifications, including international health, safety and environmental standards.
  • Protect Henkel's intellectual property by identifying innovative technologies, documenting, and collaborating with internal and external partners.
  • Tests or supervises tests on product stability and performance
What makes you a good fit
  • Masters Degree (or equivalent experience) in Materials Science, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
  • A minimum of 5 years' industrial experience in formulating adhesive and sealant systems, preferred in Polyurethane, Epoxy or Silicone chemistry
  • Understanding of product applications and testing criteria needed for current and future automotive applications
  • Insights of product offerings, industry trends and ongoing research in the Adhesives & Sealants area, especially with focus on sustainability
  • Detailed understanding of adhesives formulation, testing, application and curing of Polyurethane, Epoxy or Silicone based systems
  • Strong team spirit, appreciation of an agile working environment and ability to lead by example
  • This is an on site role. Selected candidate should expect to be onsite 5 days per week unless traveling for work or taking paid time off.
Some benefits of joining Henkel
  • Health Insurance: affordableplans for medical, dental, vision and wellbeing starting on day 1
  • Work-Life Balance:Paid time off including sick, vacation, holiday and volunteer time, and vacation buy / sellprogram
  • Financial: 401kmatching, employee share plan with voluntary investment and Henkel matchingshares, annual performance bonus, service awards and student loanreimbursement
  • Family Support:12-week gender neutral parental leave (up to 20 weeks for parents givingbirth), fertility support, adoption & surrogacy reimbursement, discountedchild and elderly care, and scholarships
  • Career Growth: diversenational and international growth opportunities, access to thousands of skillsdevelopment courses, and tuition reimbursement

Thesalary range for this role is $70000.00 and $87000.00. This range represents thegood-faith minimum and maximum wages the Company reasonably expects to offerfor this role at the time of posting. In addition to base salary, thisposition may be eligible for incentive pay or other forms of compensation, asapplicable. The Company also offers a comprehensive benefits package asdescribed above. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as thecandidate's skills, experience, education, training, and work location. Thisposting is intended to comply with all applicable state and local paytransparency laws.
Henkeldoes not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or employment agencies.Unsolicited referrals and resumes are considered Henkel property and therefore,Henkel will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of anunsolicited referral.
AtHenkel, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and lifeexperiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us.Henkel is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicantswithout regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability,veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.

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