Sr. R&D Scientist

NIC Industries is hiring a Sr. R&D Scientist for our White City, Jackson County location. This full-time role leads the development of next-generation high-performance coatings and advanced materials, driving projects from initial concept through commercial deployment.

About the Role

We're looking for an accomplished materials scientist or chemist to own the end-to-end development of high-performance coatings and advanced material systems. You'll combine hands-on laboratory expertise with program leadership, managing the technical strategy and execution across concept development, material qualification, manufacturing scale-up, and commercialization support. This role requires both deep technical knowledge and the ability to guide cross-functional teams toward innovation and market readiness.

What You'll Do

• Design and execute laboratory experiments to develop and characterize high-performance coatings and advanced materials
• Lead technical programs from concept through qualification and scale-up, owning the technical direction and decision-making
• Manage and mentor laboratory technicians in experimental execution and data collection
• Build comprehensive technical documentation and scientific evidence packages supporting product qualification and regulatory compliance
• Collaborate with manufacturing, product, and commercial teams to translate laboratory innovations into scalable, market-ready solutions
• Analyze experimental results and recommend design improvements to enhance material performance and manufacturability

What We're Looking For

• Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in materials science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or a closely related field
• 7+ years of professional R&D experience in coatings, polymers, materials chemistry, or advanced materials development
• Demonstrated expertise in materials characterization techniques and laboratory methodology
• Proven ability to lead technical projects from concept through commercialization
• Strong scientific communication skills and ability to document technical work for regulatory and internal audiences
• Experience supervising or mentoring technical staff
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, scalability, and cost considerations in material development

About NIC Industries

NIC Industries develops and manufactures innovative high-performance coatings and advanced materials serving industrial and commercial markets. We combine materials science expertise with manufacturing excellence to deliver products that outperform in demanding applications.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their application through this listing. Include your resume and a brief summary of your most relevant R&D experience and achievements.