Overview

We are seeking an Associate R&D Engineer to support a small, collaborative coatings R&D team in the Southwest Metro. This role is ideal for a recent graduate (0–2 years experience) with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry who enjoys hands-on lab work and thrives in a less formal, entrepreneurial environment.

The position will begin as a 6-month contract, with the intent to convert to a full-time employee based on performance and business needs. This individual will contribute to experimental design and hands-on development of chemical coatings, including bonding proprietary coatings to a variety of customer-provided substrates.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute experiments based on prepared experimental test plans
• Support experimental design and assist in development of coating formulations and bonding techniques
• Perform hands-on laboratory work including surface preparation, coating application, and testing
• Record experimental findings in laboratory notebooks following best practices
• Assist in analyzing experimental data and preparing charts, summaries, and conclusions
• Follow detailed verbal and written instructions from senior R&D engineers
• Read and interpret technical articles, reports, and customer specifications
• Provide verbal updates and present experimental findings to the R&D team
• Support technical report writing and documentation
• Maintain general understanding of quality systems and production documentation
• Utilize basic CAD tools (training available if needed) to support technical drawings
• Assist with general lab organization, equipment use, and safety compliance

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (required)
• 0–2 years of experience (internships and academic lab work acceptable)
• Hands-on laboratory experience
• Basic understanding of scientific method and experimental design
• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills
• Ability to work in a small team environment with evolving priorities

Preferred Skills

• Exposure to coatings, adhesives, or surface chemistry
• Experience with data analysis and chart preparation
• Familiarity with CAD (can be trained)
• Comfort working outside of a highly structured corporate environment

Top Technical Skills

• Experimental design
• Hands-on lab experience
• Ability to work effectively in a non-traditional, small-company setting

Work Environment

• Small, collaborative coatings company
• Hands-on R&D laboratory setting
• Opportunity for growth into a full R&D Engineer role upon conversion

This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career chemist to gain hands-on coatings development experience and grow within a dynamic R&D environment.