Scientist - Raw Material Technology

JOB TITLE: Scientist - Raw Material Technology

Reports to: Raw Materials Technology Manager

Location: Philadelphia, PA

About Axalta Coating Systems

At Axalta, the strength of our company lies in our people, and our legacy is built on more than 150 years in the coatings industry. With approximately 12,800 employees globally and $5.3 billion in annual revenue, our singular focus on providing brilliant coatings sets us apart. Axalta Coating Systems is the only leading global coatings company dedicated solely to the development, manufacture, and sale of liquid and powder coatings.

We serve customers across a wide range of industries, including automotive OEM and refinish, commercial transportation, general industrial, and architectural and decorative sectors. Our innovative products and services include advanced paint systems, color matching tools, application technologies, and comprehensive customer training and business management solutions.

Role Summary :

Axalta Coating Systems is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Scientist to join our Raw Material Technology team at our Global Innovation Center in Philadelphia, PA. This role focuses on the evaluation, qualification, and optimization of raw materials used in coatings formulations. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in coatings science, polymer chemistry, surface science, or materials science, with a passion for high-performance coatings technologies.

Key Responsibilities :

• Evaluate and qualify new raw materials (e.g., resins, pigments, additives, solvents) for use in coatings formulations, considering supply chain stability, costs, and potential supply gaps.
• Collaborate with formulation chemists to integrate raw materials into coating systems and assess their impact on product performance.
• Collaborate with process technology teams to scale-up and implement new materials in manufacturing.
• Design and execute experiments to understand raw material interactions and compatibility.
• Develop and maintain raw material specifications, qualification protocols, and technical documentation.
• Partner with suppliers to assess new technologies and drive raw material innovation.
• Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis of raw material-related issues in manufacturing or customer applications.
• Stay current with industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies.
• Collaborate with global business teams to align raw material strategies with market needs and business objectives.

Basic Qualifications :

• Bachelors, Masters, or Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with advanced degree preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in coatings, adhesives, or related industries (industrial or academic).
• Strong understanding of raw material properties and their influence on coatings performance.
• Hands-on experience with analytical techniques (e.g., FTIR, NMR, colorimetry, rheology, microscopy).
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams.
• Commitment to making safety a priority in all aspects of work.
• Candidate must have a working proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience with Experimental Designs (DOE) and statistical analyses.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements (REACH, TSCA, etc.).
• Familiarity with high-throughput screening or digital formulation tools.
• Experience applying data-driven decision making in R&D or technical evaluation processes.

Key Behavioral Competencies :

• Share Axaltas values of doing whats right, acting boldly, and winning together.
• A change agent that has a successful track record of building strategic relationships with key stakeholders globally.
• Action and results oriented. Attention to details.
• Ability to take complex, disparate information and translate into executive summaries.
• Excellent organizational & relationship management skills.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize work in a self-directed capacity.
• Ability to balance the potentially competing needs of multiple customers in a matrix environment.
• Ability to positively influence others, create a passion for excellence, and execute multiple projects while meeting customer expectations.

Our Company:

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers products whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.

Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140+ countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. Weve recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.