Process Development Chemist III - Polymer

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Laboratory Setting, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.), Strong Odors (chemical, lubricants, biological products etc.), Will work with hazardous/toxic materials

Job Description

Title: Process Development Chemist III - Polymer

Location: Sunnyvale, CA

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 1st Shift

As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.

How will you make an impact?
We are seeking a highly motivated Process Development Chemist to join our Polymer Chemistry Manufacturing team. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing technical expertise in polymer chemistry processes, supporting day-to-day manufacturing operations, and ensuring efficient, high-quality production. This role involves hands-on troubleshooting, training, and continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of polymer chemistry, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will also support the generation and review of batch records, technical summary documents to support the timelines of individual projects, and the investigation and documentation of any deviations in production. The scientist drives the implementation of new component systems, part changes, and other process related activities to support ongoing and new projects. This position will also help the production team in implementing manufacturing protocols and performing in-process testing of products. The candidate will follow SOPs and work in compliance with safety, regulatory and quality guidelines.

What you will do:

• Develop, optimize, and scale up polymer chemistry processes to improve manufacturing efficiency and product quality.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance safety, yield, and cost-effectiveness.
• Provide day-to-day troubleshooting support to manufacturing teams to resolve process-related issues in real-time.
• Work closely with production operators, engineers, and quality teams to address process deviations and ensure continuous production.
• Develop and deliver training programs for manufacturing operators and technicians on polymer chemistry processes, safety protocols, and equipment operation.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for polymer chemistry within the manufacturing team, providing guidance and support as needed.
• Collaborate with R&D teams to ensure smooth integration of new processes into manufacturing, providing feedback and recommendations to optimize scalability and manufacturability.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret process data to monitor performance, identify trends, and drive data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure all processes comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Lead or participate in cross-functional teams focused on continuous improvement initiatives, including Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other process improvement methodologies.
• Develop, review, and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), batch records, and other process documentation to ensure clarity and accuracy.
• Ensure that all documentation meets internal quality standards and regulatory requirements.

How will you get here?

Education, Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or a related field, with a focus on polymer chemistry & 5+ years of experience in process development, manufacturing support, or a related role within a chemical, polymer, or related industry.
• Strongly Preferred: Master's degree in Chemistry or a related field, with a focus on polymer chemistry & 3+ years of experience in process development, manufacturing support, or a related role within chemical, polymer, or related industry.
• Polymer experience is a must.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Strong understanding of polymer chemistry, manufacturing processes, and equipment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with a hands-on approach to troubleshooting.
• Proven ability to analyze data and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience in training and developing technical staff.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Knowledge of safety, environmental, and regulatory standards related to chemical manufacturing.
• Proficiency in using process modeling and statistical analysis software is a plus.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range estimated for this position based in California is $90,900.00–$136,350.00.

This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs

• Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement

• At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy

• Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan

• Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount

For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards