Responsibilities

This posting is for Applications Development Scientist in the Performance Films Technology Organization at Eastman Chemical Company located in Martinsville, VA. The position will have responsibility for applications development supporting automotive and architectural markets.  The focus applications will be in solar control films and paint protection films. The successful applicant will be expected to translate market needs into product concepts and subsequently develop the concepts into commercial products. Candidate must be flexible, proactive, and professional, with experience in market discovery, applications development, and technologies related to thermoplastic thin film applications such as coatings, pressure sensitive adhesive formulations, radiation cured polymeric systems, and web handling. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively and function in an innovative, fast-paced, multidisciplinary team environment 

• Represent the company at industry events and other forums
• Develop relationships and support collaborations with key opinion leaders
• Lead multidisciplinary innovation project teams
• Provide customer training, application support, and troubleshooting
• Provide support for customer inquiries and complaints
• 30% Travel required
• Have a deep desire for market understanding and connect with the ability to build strong relationships and partner with customers, technical service, commercial, manufacturing, and business teams to drive solutions
• Have an understanding of the functional attributes of a wide range of polymers, adhesives and resin materials relevant to Eastman Performance Film technologies
• Translate fundamental knowledge to the development of new applications and the identification of new market platforms
• Understand end-user requirements and testing procedures to determine how Eastman product offerings can enhance Performance Films (Window Film, Architectural Film) applications and performance
• Fabricate and/or utilize existing testing equipment to simulate everyday installer/customer work activities.
• Identify needs and opportunities through direct interactions with customers, sales and marketing teams with the ability to translate those unmet needs into differentiated new product or service solutions
• Ability to work with and connect seemingly unrelated pieces of information
• Translate ideas and concepts into detailed technical work plans
• Assist customers with Performance Films application development
• Support manufacturing and process optimization of existing and new products
• Prepare technical presentations and supporting literature to enable customer engagement.
• Protect intellectual property through patent applications and communicate relevant technical data through presentations at external customers’ sites

Qualifications

Candidate will be expected to develop hands-on and in-depth technical expertise with installation of both automotive and architectural window films as well as automotive paint protection films, variety of laboratory techniques and equipment, and competitive intelligence. MUST work safely and promote a safe work environment for self, colleagues, and functional partners.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

Candidate should possess:

• Minimum of BS degree with 5 years industry experience
• Formal training in general laboratory procedures and safety protocols, and roll-to-roll processes
• Problem solving, analytical and application testing equipment, and conducting internal pilot and production trials 
• Working knowledge of production processes and good laboratory skills are essential. 
• Experience with automotive and architectural films,  construction, installation, optical coatings, adhesives, and substrates.
• High initiative and the ability to work in a team setting across teams, sites, and divisions.
• Clear and effective written and oral communication is essential.
• General computer experience with standard software packages (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)