Chemical Engineer I
The Chemical Engineer I role at Confidential Client involves contributing to the automotive coatings R&D team to develop innovative, sustainable products for major OEM customers including traditional and electric vehicle manufacturers. The position requires designing and performing experiments under senior supervision, analyzing results, and collaborating closely with customers to enhance automotive paint technologies. This entry-level role emphasizes teamwork, product development, and sustainability initiatives within a 100% onsite work environment.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
Join the Confidential Client’s automotive coatings R&D team as a Chemical Engineer I and support development of next‑generation coatings for OEM and new EV manufacturers. Working on-site, you will run lab experiments, analyze data, and support product development with sustainability and manufacturability in mind.
- Design and perform lab experiments to develop and test automotive coatings (low‑bake, UV‑curable, digital/overspray‑free coatings).
- Analyze results, interpret data, and document findings to identify solution spaces and next steps.
- Support scale‑up and process improvements to reduce carbon footprint and improve paint‑shop efficiency.
- Collaborate with senior scientists and cross‑functional teams to translate technical findings into customer‑facing solutions.
- Interact with customers and observe product performance in real-world applications.
Qualifications
- B.S. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Materials Science (required).
- 0–3 years of hands‑on lab experience preferred; entry‑level candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Background in coatings, polymer chemistry, or related materials science is a strong plus.
- Strong experimental design, data analysis, and record‑keeping skills.
- Good communication skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team.
Compensation & Schedule
- Estimated salary: $73,155 per year (estimated).
- Employment type: Full‑time, 40 hours/week.
- Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (30‑minute lunch).
- Work location: 100% on‑site at the Confidential Client’s facility in Lathrup Village, MI.
About the Team & Industry
The role is embedded in an automotive coatings R&D group serving legacy OEMs (GM, Ford, Toyota, Stellantis, BMW) and leading EV manufacturers. The team prioritizes sustainable, manufacturable coatings solutions for current and future automotive paint‑shop environments.
Key selling points for candidates
- Entry‑level role with clear mentorship under senior scientists.
- Hands‑on R&D experience with tangible customer impact.
- Exposure to advanced coatings technologies and sustainability‑driven product development.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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