Research Chemist

PPG Industries is a global leader in coatings, materials, and specialty products. Within our Aerospace Strategic Business Unit, we develop and manufacture advanced coating systems that enhance safety, performance, and durability for commercial, military, and general aviation applications. We are seeking a motivated Coating Chemist to join our innovative team to help advance next-generation technologies in aerospace coating. The S&T Research Chemist will be responsible for the design, formulation, and optimization of high-performance aerospace coating systems, including primers, topcoats, and specialty finishes that meet industry standards such as MIL-PRF, AMS, Boeing Material Specifications (BMS), and other customer-specific requirements. The role focuses on developing resin blends, pigment dispersions, and additive packages to achieve targeted properties such as corrosion resistance, adhesion, flexibility, and weatherability. The chemist will conduct comprehensive laboratory evaluations encompassing rheology, viscosity control, film build analysis, and cure kinetics using techniques such as FTIR, DSC, and TGA. Interpreting performance and analytical data to refine formulations, diagnose issues, and support qualification is a key part of this role. Close collaboration with process engineering, manufacturing, quality teams as well as business and marketing is required to scale lab-developed formulations to production, ensuring reproducibility and compliance with quality systems and environmental standards such as AS9100, TSCA, and REACH. Additional responsibilities include maintaining detailed experimental documentation, preparing technical reports, and presenting findings to R&D and product management teams to support technology transfer and new product introductions. Key Responsibilities Formula & Product Development: Develop products to meet industrial standards, specifications, and other customer requirements. Apply fundamental chemical and materials science knowledge to accelerate innovation and new product development. Monitor the technology landscape, including the patent landscape, and produce new patents. Project Management: Use appropriate experimental designs and data analysis techniques to support product development. Manage project timelines and deliverables, including project management, capturing updates, meeting internally and externally, and reporting. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with various departments to ensure the successful scale-up, qualification, and commercialization of new materials and product line extensions. Qualifications Educational Background: Ph.D. in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Materials Chemistry, or Materials Engineering. Experience: Minimum of 7+ years of experience in laboratory work or formulation background Technical Expertise: Strong background in inorganic or organic chemistry, analytical instrumentation (FTIR, DSC, viscometry, etc.) and coating performance testing methods as well as statistical design, DOE DFMEA, PFMEA . Attention to detail and good organizational skills. Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to guide and mentor teams. Strong collaboration skills and a desire to work in a team-oriented, global environment are important. Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident. The base salary range for this position is $125,000 to $130,000, with the possibility of an annual bonus up to 10% of base salary. PPG offers comprehensive benefits such as Health, Dental, Life, Retirement Plan, Paid Vacation & Holidays, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Disability/Leave, and other Voluntary benefit offerings. Actual benefit offerings confirmed at the time of hire. About us: PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™ Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit and follow @PPG on X. The PPG Way 2030 We are customer champions Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow. We act with purpose and speed Agile. Data-driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value. We are excellent operators Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers. We compete to win Future-focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths. We are PPG proud Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world. At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io. PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply. Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process. PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday. PPG is the world’s leading coatings company, serving more industries than any of our competitors. From automobiles and jetliners to wind turbine blades, and from ocean-going vessels and water tanks to family homes, our coatings and specialty materials help our customers protect, enhance and beautify valued assets. As part of our team, you’ll have access to world-class customers, industry experts, the best and brightest colleagues, and leading-edge technology.