Coatings Scientist - Metal Packaging Innovation; Food Grade

Ready to revolutionize protective coatings for metal packaging while ensuring food safety across millions of consumer products?

Our client is an established metal packaging manufacturer with multiple locations across the US, known for their innovation-driven culture, collaborative team environment, and commitment to quality and safety. As a key player in the food-grade metal cap and closure industry, they serve major brands in pickles, jams, jellies, and home canning products.

As Coatings Scientist, you'll lead the development and commercialization of industrial coating systems that protect metal closures from corrosion while maintaining food contact safety standards. You'll work directly with experienced senior engineers, manage projects from concept through full‑scale production, and solve complex coating challenges across multiple manufacturing facilities. This role offers the unique opportunity to impact products used in millions of homes while working with cutting‑edge coating technologies and a supportive technical team.

• Develop and optimize solvent‑based industrial coating formulations for metal caps and closures, ensuring superior adhesion, corrosion resistance, and food contact compliance
• Lead coating system troubleshooting across manufacturing plants, analyzing failure modes and implementing corrective actions to improve production yields and quality metrics
• Collaborate with coating vendors to evaluate new materials and technologies, conducting trials and performance testing to advance product capabilities
• Manage projects from R&D through commercialization, coordinating with quality, manufacturing, and customer teams to ensure successful product launches
• Conduct on‑site assessments at production facilities (30% travel) to optimize coating application processes and resolve technical challenges in real‑time
• Design and execute analytical testing protocols to validate coating performance against food safety regulations and customer specifications
• Work closely with plant personnel to implement process improvements, providing technical training and support to operations teams
• Partner with customer technical teams to develop customized coating solutions that meet specific application requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or related technical field
• 8+ years of hands‑on experience with industrial coatings, specifically metal coatings or protective coating systems
• Proven expertise in solvent‑based coating formulation, application methods, and performance testing
• Strong knowledge of food‑grade coating requirements and food contact regulations
• Comfortable working in industrial manufacturing environments with frequent plant floor presence
• Excellent troubleshooting and analytical skills with ability to diagnose complex coating failures
• Willingness to travel approximately 30% to manufacturing sites and customer locations
• Authorization to work in the US without sponsorship requirements

• Experience in metal packaging, food packaging, or related industries
• Background with coating equipment manufacturers or printing technologies
• Familiarity with quality management systems in manufacturing environments
• Project management experience leading cross‑functional technical initiatives
• Base salary range: $115,000 - $135,000 (based on experience and qualifications)
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage from Day 1
• Competitive vacation and PTO policy
• Clear growth pathways into quality management, project management, and process engineering roles
• Stable, growing company with expanding project pipeline and long‑term career opportunities
• Location:
  
  Downers Grove, IL area (Chicago suburbs) with access to on‑site test facilities and R&D labs

Work arrangement:
Primarily on‑site with regular travel to manufacturing facilities and customer sites

The close‑knit technical team values collaboration and innovation, with members who have decades of experience and a genuine commitment to mentoring and knowledge sharing. You'll be joining a business experiencing growth with increasing projects in the near term, offering excellent opportunities for professional development and impact.

Ready to make your mark in food‑safe coatings innovation? Apply via Linked In and Pave Talent will contact qualified candidates within 48 hours. Confidential search - your application is fully private. Apply now!