About this role
UW Interco, LLC
Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: APOG), was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. Apogee is a growing, profitable company with annual revenues approaching $1.5 billion. We provide distinctive metal and glass solutions for enclosing commercial buildings, and glass and acrylic solutions for picture framing and display applications. To learn more visit: www.apog.com.
The Apogee Performance Surfaces segment has grown from $100M to $200M in revenue through a recent acquisition. Our brands in the Performance Surfaces portfolio develop and manufacture high-performance coated materials for a variety of applications, including wall décor, museums, graphic design, architectural interiors, digital display, and industrial flooring markets. We are the global leader in anti-reflective, conservation grade electrostatic dissipative, high-definition, and abrasion resistance coatings, that provide protection, innovative designs, and exceptional durability.
Position Summary The Senior Scientist – Radiation Curable Coatings is a technical leader within the R&D organization, responsible for the design, formulation, and commercialization of UV/EB-curable coatings through a deep understanding of structure–property–performance relationships, coating–substrate interactions, application-method-driven formulation requirements, and gloss control mechanisms. This role combines hands-on formulation chemistry with project leadership, technical mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration to advance the company’s innovation pipeline and core technologies.
Responsibilities
• Lead the design and formulation of UV/EB-curable coatings (acrylate, methacrylate, epoxy, cationic, hybrid systems). • Apply deep understanding of structure–property relationships to optimize adhesion, hardness, flexibility, chemical resistance, weatherability, optical properties, cure response, and gloss level. • Design coatings for and troubleshoot adhesion to wood, glass, acrylic, vinyl, aluminum, and steel. • Develop and optimize low-gloss and matte coatings using controlled incompatibility, surface topology control, matting agents, phase separation, and cure kinetics. • Formulate coatings compatible with roll coating, spray, curtain coating, vacuum coating, and flow/slot-die coating. • Establish relationships between molecular structure, formulation, processing conditions, substrate characteristics, and surface morphology. • Troubleshoot formulation, application, gloss, adhesion, and scale-up challenges. • Define technical objectives, experimental plans, and success criteria aligned with business and application needs. • Communicate progress, risks, and tradeoffs to cross-functional stakeholders. • Ensure formulations are robust, scalable, and deliver consistent appearance and performance. • Mentor junior and mid-level chemists in formulation strategy, gloss control, and application-aware formulation. • Promote best practices in experimental design, data quality, and documentation. • Collaborate with application engineering, manufacturing, quality, sales, and customers.
Personal Attributes and Experience
• PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science (highly preferred). • 5–10+ years of industrial experience in UV/EB-curable coatings including free-radical, EB, cationic, or dual-cure systems. • Demonstrated expertise in structure–property–performance relationships. • Proven experience with low-gloss or matte coatings. • Experience with multiple substrates and coating application methods. • Track record of leading technical projects to commercialization. • Familiarity with rheology, FTIR cure monitoring, DMA, surface roughness, and gloss measurement. • Prior experience mentoring or leading chemists and technicians. • Strategic application of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies to drive business outcomes, enhance decision-making, and improve operational efficiency.
Work Environment This job is primarily performed in an office environment. The noise level in the office is generally moderate.
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Our Benefits We care about and invest in our employees. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their well-being and foster professional development. Here is a glimpse of what you can look forward to if you join our team.
• Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability)
• Incentive Plans
• 401(k) with employer contribution and match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Program
• Training and Career Progression
Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.