Our client needs a highly motivated and innovative Scientist to join their New Product Development team.

The Scientist will drive the development of battery separator technologies for lead-acid batteries, focusing on improving performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness.

The Scientist will develop new formulations, optimize manufacturing processes, and validate product performance from the lab to pilot-scale production.

The Scientist focus area’s Polyethylene (PE) separators, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) materials, Silica-filled rubber separators, autoclaved vulcanized rubber separators. Prefer Lead-acid systems Li-Ion a plus.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and synthesis of new, high-performance battery separator materials (polyethylene, silica-filled materials, and AGM) to meet emerging market needs.
• Optimize manufacturing processes including extrusion, pore formation, and coating technologies to enhance separator permeability, mechanical strength, and electrical resistance.
• Utilize Design of Experiments (DOE) to structure and execute comprehensive testing protocols to evaluate separator-level attributes (surface chemistry, wettability, pore structure) and their impact on cell performance.
• Lead programs for incremental product and quality improvement using tools; DOE, problem solving tools such as root cause analysis and EVOP (evolutionary optimization)
• Collaborate with cell developers to integrate new separators into prototype cells, conducting abusive, electrochemical, and life-cycle tests to validate improvements. Evaluate separator performance focusing on ER, acid displacement, dendrite suppression, and oxidation stability.
• Utilize advanced analytical equipment (FIB-SEM, CT scanning, mercury porosimetry) to analyze material microstructure and failure mechanisms.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Manufacturing, Sales, Quality) to transfer new products from the laboratory into pilot-scale and commercial production.
• Write detailed technical reports, SOPs, and conference materials (presentations, technical papers, etc.), and present research findings to stakeholders.
• Awareness of the patent landscape, ensure programs are safe to run to product fruition, where R&D lead to unique solutions, to file patents where appropriate to protect MP innovation and IP.
• Lead by example to promote a zero-incident safety culture
• Ensure strict adherence to safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce waste, and increase efficiency
• Encourage team-driven ideas and implement practical, data-driven solutions
• Promote respect, inclusion, and engagement In a collaborative environment

Requirements:

• BS degree required, advanced degree preferred; Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or related field.
• 5 + years in battery R&D focused on polymers, porous membranes, or separator technology.
• Polyethylene (PE) separators, Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) materials, Silica-filled rubber separators, autoclaved vulcanized rubber separators.
• Strong understanding of polymer physics, surface chemistry, and electrochemical transport mechanisms in porous materials.
• Hands-on capability with extrusion, polymer compounding, and coating technologies.
• Expertise with material characterization tools: SEM, DSC, TGA, Porosimetry, Tensile testers ICP.
• Familiarity with standard global battery testing methods (cycling, EIS, CV), working to American, European and Asian systems as necessary.
• Experience using AI-enhanced modeling and high-throughput data analysis to accelerate component optimization is preferred.
• Strong problem-solving skills, ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to manage NPD projects, and excellent technical communication skills.
• Travel domestically and Internationally to internal plants, customers and conferences.