R&D- Sr. Scientist (Coatings) - Sherwin-Williams

This Automotive Finishes Division R&D Sr. Scientist will lead Automotive OEM Interior New Product Development initiatives and is accountable for providing timely and accurate solutions to multiple complex problems using considerable technical expertise and experience. This position has responsibility for delivering new products and methods, improving processes, mentoring technical team members, and continuing to develop in areas of recognizable expertise. This position reports to the Automotive OEM Interior Senior Technical Manager.

Job duties include contact with other employees and access confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s staff, employees, and business relationships.

Here, we believe there’s not one path to success, we believe in careers that grow with you. Whoever you are or wherever you come from in the world, there’s a place for you at Sherwin-Williams. We provide you with the opportunity to explore your curiosity and drive us forward. Sherwin-Williams values the unique talents and abilities from all backgrounds and characteristics. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply, including individuals with disabilities and Protected Veterans. We’ll give you the space to share your strengths and we want you show us what you can do. You can innovate, grow and discover in a place where you can thrive and Let Your Colors Show!

At Sherwin-Williams, part of our mission is to help our employees and their families live healthier, save smarter and feel better. This starts with a wide range of world-class benefits designed for you. From retirement to health care, from total well-being to your daily commute—it matters to us. A general description of benefits offered can be found at

. Click on “Candidates” to view benefit offerings that you may be eligible for if you are hired as a Sherwin-Williams employee.

Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and will impact where actual compensation may fall within the stated wage range. The wage range listed for this role takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.

The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed 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.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws including with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act where applicable.

Sherwin-Williams is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to an inclusive and diverse workplace. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law or by contract.

As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Sherwin-Williams requests state and local employment services delivery systems to provide priority referral of Protected Veterans.

Please be aware, Sherwin-Williams recruiting team members will never request a candidate to provide a payment, ask for financial information, or sensitive personal information like national identification numbers, date of birth, or bank account numbers during the application process.

•    Understand the challenges and needs for next generation solvent-borne and water-borne Automotive OEM Interior coatings; work with internal technical teams and strategic vendors to explore and develop new technology platforms that are novel and of commercial impact.
•    Coordinate and leverage in-house resin capabilities and development activities.
•    Identify articulated and unarticulated customers’ needs to build product profiles which will lead to next generation technologies and breakthrough products.
•    Collaborate with all functional teams and drive execution of innovation strategy.
•    Develop and capture intellectual property.
•    Lead project teams, or highly technically-challenging programs, or several unrelated projects at one time.
•    Directly mentor/coach/train technical team members as recognized Subject Matter Expert.
•    Create product development efficiencies.
•    Utilize structure-property relationships to guide prototype design, and problem-solving in development activities.
•    Collaborate with Automotive R&D and application teams to implement new technology platforms.
•    Interact with Innovation teams and other division technical teams to leverage work.
•    Interact with marketing and stake holders, take initiative in developing new project proposals of strategic impact for Automotive OEM Interior segment.
•    Serve as technical expert in Automotive OEM Interior products and technologies, provide technical trainings, respond to highly complex technical topics, work on solutions, and present/communicate results with broader teams.
•    Preserve technical knowledge by issuing reports on technology development projects.
•    Adhere to safety policies and laboratory procedures.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS
•    Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.
•    Must have the legal right to work in the country for which you are applying for employment (without now or in the future needing sponsorship for employment work visa and/or permanent residence status).
•    10 years of coatings-specific industry experience with track record of technology deliveries.
•    Problem-solving and project-management skills.
•    Ability to tailor communications to fit the needs of the audience.
•    Ability to adapt and change quickly in response to new situations/demands.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
•    Ph.D. degree in chemistry/polymer-related field.
•    12 years of coatings-specific industry experience.
•    Technical expertise, knowledge and experience working with industrial coatings including 1K and 2K primer, monocoat, basecoat/clearcoat systems in solid shades and metallics in both solvent based and waterborne systems.
•    Design for Six Sigma (DFSS)
•    Design of Experiment
•    Experience leading cross functional teams.

Travel Requirement: Up to 10% Domestic and International

Upon completion of construction, the individual selected for this role will primarily work at the new Sherwin-Williams Global Technology Center in Brecksville, Ohio. Construction is expected to be complete in Q4 2024. Until then, the role will be based at Warrensville Technology Center, located at 4440 Warrensville Center Road, Warrensville Hts, OH 44128.