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Senior Polymer Chemist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PIP Global

Senior Polymer Chemist

Charleston, SC · On-site

Senior Polymer Chemist Location: North Charleston, South Carolina *Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates. * The Senior Polymer Chemist will lead the development, formulation, and ...

PIP Global

Senior Polymer Chemist

Baton Rouge, LA · On-site

Senior Polymer Chemist Location: North Charleston, South Carolina *Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates. * The Senior Polymer Chemist will lead the development, formulation, and ...

PIP Global

Senior Polymer Chemist

Houston, TX · On-site

Senior Polymer Chemist Location: North Charleston, South Carolina *Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates. * The Senior Polymer Chemist will lead the development, formulation, and ...

PIP Global

Senior Polymer Chemist

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

Senior Polymer Chemist Location: North Charleston, South Carolina *Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates. * The Senior Polymer Chemist will lead the development, formulation, and ...

Verde Bioresins, Inc

Sr Polymer Chemist

Fullerton, CA

$120K - $130K/yr

Polymer Chemist will report to our Head of R&D and will be responsible for formulating and testing new bio-based polymers and additives for production, testing their characterization and analyzing ...

Quadratic 3D

Senior Polymer Chemist

Somerville, MA · On-site

D. polymer chemist to design, synthesize and characterize innovative oligomeric/polymeric, photopolymerizable 3D printing resins in a fast-paced startup environment. Candidates getting consideration ...

Quadratic 3D

Senior Polymer Chemist

Somerville, MA · On-site

D. polymer chemist to design, synthesize and characterize innovative oligomeric/polymeric, photopolymerizable 3D printing resins in a fast-paced startup environment. Candidates getting consideration ...

Verde Bioresins, Inc

Senior Polymer Chemist

Fullerton, CA · On-site

$115K - $130K/yr

Fullerton, CA (CA CANDIDATES ONLY) Polymer Chemist will report to our Head of R&D and will be responsible for formulating and testing new bio-based polymers and additives for production, testing ...

Celia Corporation

Senior Vinyl Chemist

Sparta, MI · On-site

The Senior Vinyl Chemist is responsible for developing, formulating, and testing materials used in ... Stay updated on advancements in polymer chemistry and vinyl technology to innovate new products or ...

Da/Pro Rubber, Inc.

Junior Chemist

Broken Arrow, OK · On-site

$19.25 - $25.75/hr

This role offers hands-on experience in industrial polymer chemistry and exposure to materials ... Collaborate with senior chemists and engineers in process improvement and troubleshooting efforts.

Da/Pro Rubber, Inc.

Junior Chemist

Broken Arrow, OK · On-site

$19.25 - $25.75/hr

This role offers hands-on experience in industrial polymer chemistry and exposure to materials ... Collaborate with senior chemists and engineers in process improvement and troubleshooting efforts.

Huntsman

Quality Lab Chemist

Mcintosh, AL · On-site

This position will report to the Sr. Quality Manager . Job Scope The Quality Lab Chemist provides ... D. in Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, or a related field preferred.

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Senior Polymer Chemist information

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$48K

$86.5K

$144K

How much do senior polymer chemist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior polymer chemist in the United States is $86,458.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior polymer chemist do?

A Senior Polymer Chemist specializes in the research, development, and testing of polymer materials, such as plastics, resins, and synthetic fibers. They design experiments to create new materials or improve existing ones, analyze data, and ensure products meet quality standards. In addition to technical work, they often lead teams, manage projects, and collaborate with other scientists and engineers. Senior Polymer Chemists are also responsible for staying updated on industry advancements and regulatory requirements.

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

To thrive as a Senior Polymer Chemist, you need advanced knowledge in polymer synthesis, characterization, and material science, typically supported by a Ph.D. or Master's degree in chemistry or chemical engineering. Familiarity with analytical tools such as NMR, FTIR, GPC, DSC, and relevant laboratory information management systems (LIMS) is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set top professionals apart in this role. These skills are crucial for innovating new materials, ensuring product quality, and collaborating across multidisciplinary teams in research and development environments.

What are some common challenges faced by senior polymer chemists when scaling up new materials from the lab to production?

Senior Polymer Chemists often encounter challenges in translating lab-scale polymer formulations to commercial production. Differences in equipment, process parameters, and raw material variability can affect the consistency and performance of the final product. Additionally, ensuring that the scaled-up process meets regulatory, safety, and quality standards requires close collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and quality control teams. Addressing these challenges typically involves thorough process optimization, pilot trials, and cross-functional teamwork.

What is the difference between Senior Polymer Chemist vs Polymer Scientist?

AspectSenior Polymer ChemistPolymer Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Chemistry or Polymer Science, experience in polymer synthesisBachelor's/Master's/PhD in Chemistry or Polymer Science, research-focused
Work EnvironmentIndustrial labs, manufacturing facilitiesResearch labs, academic institutions
Employer & Industry UsageManufacturers, R&D departments in polymers and plasticsResearch institutions, academia, industry R&D

The main difference between a Senior Polymer Chemist and a Polymer Scientist lies in their focus and work setting. Senior Polymer Chemists typically work in industrial environments, applying their expertise to develop and improve polymer products, while Polymer Scientists often focus on research and development in academic or research institutions. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in their primary responsibilities and work environments.

What cities are hiring for Senior Polymer Chemist jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Polymer Chemist job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Polymer Chemist jobs?

The most popular types of Polymer Chemist jobs are:

What states have the most Senior Polymer Chemist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Polymer Chemist jobs include:

Senior Polymer Chemist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Polymer Chemist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,458 per year, or $41.6 per hour.

Senior Polymer Chemist

PIP Global

Charleston, SC • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Senior Polymer Chemist
Location: North Charleston, South Carolina
*Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates. *
The Senior Polymer Chemist will lead the development, formulation, and optimization of elastomeric materials used in electrical safety products, including insulating gloves and sleeves. This role will serve as a technical leader across R&D and manufacturing, driving innovation in low dielectric, high-performance rubber systems while ensuring compliance with applicable safety and performance standards. This role will also play a critical role in bridging material science, process engineering, and product performance, with a strong focus on scalable formulations, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
This is an onsite position in North Charleston, SC.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Formulation & Material Development
  • Lead formulation of elastomer compounds using materials such as, Natural Rubber (NR), Bromo butyl / Butyl Rubber, EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomers
  • Optimize formulations for dielectric strength / electrical insulation performance, mechanical durability (tensile, elongation, tear resistance) and environmental resistance (ozone, heat, moisture, chemicals)
  • Evaluate additives including curatives, accelerators, plasticizers, fillers, and stabilizers

Process & Manufacturing Integration
  • Partner with manufacturing teams to scale formulations from lab to production
  • Support mixing, calendaring, dipping, and curing processes
  • Troubleshoot processing issues (e.g., viscosity control, dispersion, cure kinetics)
  • Drive continuous improvement in yield, scrap reduction, and cycle times

Product Performance & Compliance
  • Ensure materials meet applicable industry standards (e.g., ASTM, IEC for electrical PPE)
  • Lead testing protocols for dielectric breakdown, aging, and physical properties
  • Support certification and audit processes related to safety compliance

Technical Leadership
  • Act as a subject matter expert for elastomer chemistry across the organization
  • Mentor junior chemists and lab technicians
  • Interface with suppliers to evaluate new raw materials and technologies
  • Provide technical input to product development, sourcing, and quality teams

Innovation & Strategy
  • Identify opportunities for next-generation materials (e.g., improved flexibility, lighter weight, enhanced dielectric properties)
  • Stay current on advancements in polymer science and electrical insulation materials
  • Support IP development, where applicable

REQUIREMENTS
  • Five or more years of experience and a Master's degree or a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, or related field, with deep experience in elastomer formulation and development.
  • Prior experience with rubber compounding and curing systems (sulfur, peroxide, etc.)
  • Prior experience with dielectric or insulating material applications
  • Strong understanding of Structure-property relationships in elastomers and rheology, cure kinetics, and compound processing with elastomeric materials
  • Experience with lab instrumentation (e.g., MDR, DSC, TGA, tensile testing, dielectric testing)
  • Experience supporting manufacturing scale-up

Apply