Senior Scientist

Role details

Kaiser Aluminum is known around the world for its superior quality. Our secret is what we put into it—innovative thinking, industry-leading reliability, and a world-class commitment to customer service. In short, the same qualities we look for in our people. We are seeking an experienced and driven Sr. Scientist - Coatings Regulatory & Technology to join our largest plant operations in Newburgh, IN.

The Sr. Scientist – Coatings Regulatory & Technolog y performs coating development activities for all Warrick products. An expectation of this role is to own regulatory compliance (FDA / food contact / global) for coatings and packaging materials and provide technical leadership in coating development, performance, and customer application

.

The primary purpose of this role is twofol

d:Own regulatory compliance (FDA / food contact / global) for coatings and packaging materials. Provide technical leadership in coating development, performance, and customer applicatio

n.

Please apply to requisition R100935 at www.kaiseraluminum.com/caree

rs.

This is an onsite position. At this time, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role, either now or in the future. Therefore, we cannot move forward with candidates who would require sponsorship and or are on (e.g., H-1B, F-1, STEM OPT, OPT) vi

sas.

The role is accountable

• for:Regulatory qualification and certification of all Warrick supplied prod
• ucts,Technical guidance and decision-making on coating selection, performance, and failure
• modesIntegration of regulatory requirements into product development and manufact

uring

Additionally, the position serv

• es as:A senior technical authority for coatings, coating application and packaging s
• ystemsA key interface with customers, suppliers, and Industry Organiz
• ationsA leader of Advanced Engineering coating programs and testing capabi

lities

Major Activities / Key Cha

llengesRegulatory & Compliance Lea

• dershipFull accountability for FDA and food-contact regulatory compliance (U.S., EU, global) p
• rogramsConduct raw material reviews and determine testing requi
• rementsIssue certification letters to customers (FDA, FCN, EU, Prop 65
• , etc.)Lead FDA audits and regulatory tr
• aining,Track emerging global regulations via industry organi

zationsTechnical Leadership – C

• oatingsAct as subject matter expe
• rt for:Pre-tre
• atment,Coating che
• mistry,Coating appli
• cation,Performance, failure modes, and process sensit
• ivitiesDefine coating design rules and selection c
• riteriaSolve complex customer or production-related technical

issuesProduct & Process Deve

• lopmentLead coating development programs (e.g., BPA-NI, sustainability initi
• atives)Support conversion projects and customer qualifi
• cationsEnsure compatibility
• across:Manufa
• cturingForming/
• fillingRegulatory requi

rementsProject & Portfolio Lea

• dershipLead and prioritize coating-related AE projects aligned with business s
• trategySupport TTI, customer, and supplier-driven development p
• rogramsManage risks, deliverables, and cross-functional coord

inationExternal In

• terfaceServe as senior technical conta
• ct for:Customers (qualification, troublesh
• ooting)Suppliers (coating development, sc
• ale-up)Industry organiz
• ations.Represent the organization in technical and regulatory disc

ussionsIntellectual Property & S

• trategyManage Warrick IP strategy and ex
• ecutionCoordinate with legal on patent filings, office actions, and portfolio optim

izationKey Cha

• llengesBalancing innovation vs regulatory cons
• traintsManaging global regulatory uncertainty (FDA vs EU dive
• rgence)Maintaining technical credibility with customers and su
• ppliersPreventing loss of critical tacit knowledge during tra
• nsitionIntegrating regulatory requirements early in deve

lopment

Essential Knowledge & Skills / E

ducationTechnical E

• xpertiseAdvanced knowledge of coatings chemistry, surface treatments, and metal su
• bstratesKnowledge of coating application processes to metal s
• ubstrateStrong understanding of food-contact regulations (FDA, EU,
• Global)Knowledge of testing methods, qualification protocols, and compliance
• systemsKnowledge of customers package forming p

rocessesCore Comp

• etenciesAbility to interpret complex regulations and translate into technical
• actionsStrong problem-solving and root cause analysis ca
• pabilityAbility to work independently with high accoun
• tabilityStrategic thinking and decisio

n-makingLeadership & Interpersona

• l SkillsStrong communication skills (technical \+ executiv
• e level)Ability to influence across functions and external stak
• eholdersProven capability to mentor and develop technica
• l talentAbility to interface with customers, suppliers, and regulator

y bodies

What you will bring to

• the role:Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or related field (p

referred)

Basic / Minimum Qual

• ificationsBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Science or Engineering (Chemistry
• preferred)10\+ years of experience in coatings, packaging, or rel
• ated fieldDemonstrated experience with FDA or food-contact r
• egulationsProven ability to lead technical programs and cross-functiona
• l projectsStrong written and verbal communicat
• ion skillsExperience in customer and supplier in

teractions

No third-party candidate submissions are being accepted at this time for th

is opening.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered based on job-related qualifications and abilities. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran, or disabi

lity status.

About Kaiser Aluminum: Talented people join our team because we are a company passionate about environmental sustainability, employee growth, contributing back to our communities and championing an inclu

sive culture.