Senior Associate, R&D Chemist

Company Description

For more than 20 years, Vorbeck Materials has been pushing the boundaries of what advanced materials can do. Today, that foundation is powering technologies built for some of the world’s most demanding environments, from PFAS-free firefighting foams to advanced signal technologies for defense, communications, and industry.

Innovation is at the core of Vorbeck. With more than 100 patents, we’ve spent two decades transforming breakthrough materials science into technologies designed to solve complex, real-world challenges.

Twenty years in, Vorbeck is accelerating. We’re scaling technologies, expanding into new markets, and building the team that will shape what comes next.

Job Description

Job Type: Full-time
Classification: Exempt
Pay: $70,000 - $90,000, based on experience
Physical Setting/work location: On-site in Columbia, MD

Vorbeck is seeking a technically skilled and collaborative Senior Associate, R&D Chemist to play an active role in the research, formulation, testing, and continued development of our PFAS-free firefighting foam technologies. This role will have the opportunity to develop and improve formulations, design and conduct experiments, evaluate product performance, and translate laboratory results into meaningful product improvements.

The ideal candidate combines strong scientific fundamentals with a hands-on approach to laboratory research and problem-solving. This individual will work closely with scientists, engineers, technicians, and production personnel to solve technical challenges, advance research initiatives, and help move new technologies from laboratory development through scale-up and commercialization.

• Formulation & Product Development: Develop, evaluate, and improve firefighting foam concentrates across Vorbeck's product lines. Design and execute formulation experiments, evaluate raw materials and formulation variables, and use experimental results to improve product performance, stability, manufacturability, and other key product characteristics.

• Laboratory Testing & Data Analysis: Perform analytical and performance testing of Vorbeck formulations, competitive products, raw materials, and developmental samples. Analyze and interpret experimental results, identify trends and performance relationships, and use data to guide formulation development and technical decision-making. Maintain accurate and traceable laboratory records in accordance with established documentation practices.

• Research & Experimental Design: Develop and execute internal research projects that support product development and broader technical objectives. Design experiments and new performance testing protocols to investigate formulation behavior, product performance, and technical challenges. Identify new research opportunities and independently advance assigned projects from initial concept through experimentation, analysis, and communication of results.

• Scale-Up & Production Support: Provide laboratory and technical support as successful formulations progress toward scale-up and production. Collaborate with engineering, production, quality, and other technical teams to evaluate formulation performance, troubleshoot technical challenges, and provide laboratory data and findings that inform scale-up and production decisions.

• Technical Documentation & SOP Development: Develop, maintain, and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs), laboratory methods, formulation instructions, and other technical documentation. Clearly communicate experimental methods, results, conclusions, and recommendations to technical and cross-functional team members.

• Laboratory Safety & Operations: Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and efficient laboratory environment by following established safety procedures and properly utilizing required personal protective equipment (PPE). Ensure chemicals, formulations, samples, and laboratory materials are properly handled, stored, and disposed of in accordance with established procedures and applicable safety requirements.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Technical Support: Collaborate with R&D, production, business development, and other teams to connect laboratory research with broader product and business initiatives. Participate throughout the product development lifecycle, providing technical insight and data to inform formulation development, scale-up, production, customer applications, and commercialization. Support broader team needs through data analysis, technical input for proposals and customer opportunities, and clear communication of research findings and recommendations.

• Additional Responsibilities: Perform other duties as assigned to support organizational goals and business needs.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline required.

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related scientific discipline preferred, but not required.

Experience:

• Three or more years of relevant industry, laboratory, or applied research experience in chemical formulation, materials development, applied chemistry, or a related field preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to design and execute experiments, analyze results, and interpret technical data.

• Background in formulation scale-up, process development, or transitioning laboratory formulations to production is strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of or hands-on work with surfactants, foams, coatings, polymers, colloids, or other formulated chemical products is preferred.

Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrates initiative, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

• Solid understanding of chemical principles, experimental design, and laboratory safety practices.

• Capable of independently planning and executing laboratory experiments and research projects.

• Analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret experimental data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.

• High attention to detail with a commitment to accurate, reproducible, and well-documented laboratory work.

• Demonstrated ability to develop, write, or improve laboratory procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs). 

• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information to both technical and cross-functional audiences.

• Comfortable balancing independent research responsibilities with collaborative team priorities.

• Effective organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple experiments and competing priorities.

• Adaptability and effectiveness in a fast-paced research and product development environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand for extended periods of time, up to approximately seven hours during a workday.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds as part of regular job responsibilities.

• Must be able to perform the physical activities necessary for laboratory work, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, and handling laboratory materials and equipment.

Additional Information

Benefits include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Program
• Vacation, Personal Time, and 10 Paid Holidays
• Company-sponsored Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Opportunity for Relocation Assistance

*Vorbeck is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, or related medical conditions), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law. This position will involve work on government contracts and the government requires that qualified candidates must be United States citizens. All personal information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.*