Coatings Chemist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Coatings Chemist Job Description

The Coatings Chemist will work in an applications laboratory, formulating and testing architectural paints to ensure high performance, quality, and environmental responsibility. This role involves hands-on laboratory work to develop new paint formulations, optimize existing products, and support innovation projects and customer needs, while collaborating closely with scientists and technicians.

Responsibilities

• Formulate architectural paint by selecting and mixing appropriate resins, pigments, additives, and solvents to achieve targeted properties such as adhesion, durability, color, and gloss.
• Test new architectural paint materials in a laboratory setting to evaluate performance, quality, and consistency.
• Conduct laboratory testing, including viscosity measurements, drawdowns on various substrates, stain resistance evaluations, and application testing.
• Provide technical support for key innovation projects, contributing to new product development and improvement of existing formulations.
• Support customer service activities by offering technical insight and troubleshooting related to paint and coating performance.
• Perform hands-on experimental work in the lab to generate reliable, repeatable test data and results.
• Collaborate with scientists and other technicians to plan, coordinate, and execute technical laboratory work and experiments.
• Ensure laboratory safety by following established safety procedures, guidelines, and best practices at all times.
• Maintain accurate records of formulations, test conditions, and results to support ongoing development and quality control efforts.
• Consider environmental impact and regulatory requirements when developing and testing new paint formulations.

Essential Skills

• Practical experience working with and making paint or coatings, preferably architectural paints.
• Hands-on laboratory experience in paint or coating formulation and testing.
• Proficiency in conducting viscosity measurements and interpreting viscosity data.
• Experience performing application testing and evaluating coating performance on different substrates.
• Ability to perform drawdowns and stain resistance testing for architectural coatings.
• Strong foundation in chemistry, particularly in paint, coatings, and polymer chemistry.
• Ability to work safely in a laboratory environment and follow established safety procedures.
• Collaborative skills to work effectively with scientists and technicians on technical projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Diploma with 5+ years of hands-on paint or coating laboratory experience.
• Associate degree with 2+ years of hands-on paint or coating laboratory experience.
• Bachelor’s degree with 0+ years of hands-on paint or coating laboratory experience; co-op or industrial internship experience is preferred.
• Background in polymer chemistry or related disciplines.
• Experience specifically with architectural paint is strongly preferred.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to generate reliable, high-quality experimental data.
• Interest in innovation and contributing to new product development in the coatings industry.

Work Environment

This role is based in an applications laboratory focused on architectural paint development and testing. You will work with specialized laboratory equipment for viscosity measurement, drawdowns, stain resistance, and application testing on various substrates. The environment emphasizes safety, innovation, and collaboration, with opportunities to work closely with industry experts and receive one-on-one training and mentoring. The organization has a global reach and a culture that values employees, encourages technical growth, and supports contributions to a wide range of industries.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Wilmington, DE.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $32.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Wilmington,DE.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on us.fitly.work for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.