Job Title: Senior Formulation Chemist / Chemical Development Engineer Salary: £47,000 – £59,000, depending on experience Location: Bishop Auckland Benefits * Early finish every Friday. * Ongoing training and professional development. * Opportunity to lead new product development and formulation projects. * Collaborative working environment with significant input into product development. * Long-term career progression within an established manufacturing business. The Company An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced chemistry professional to join an innovative and well-established manufacturing business specialising in advanced materials and surface technologies. The business is looking for someone with a strong background in chemical formulation, laboratory testing and product development, particularly someone who has successfully taken formulations from small-scale laboratory batches through to larger-scale manufacturing. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Chemist or Chemical Development Engineer who enjoys hands-on laboratory work but also wants to see their formulations developed into commercially manufactured products. Job Description As a Senior Formulation Chemist / Chemical Development Engineer, you will take responsibility for developing, testing, optimising and scaling up chemical formulations for new and existing products. A key part of the role will involve taking formulations developed in the laboratory and successfully transferring them into larger production volumes, ensuring consistency, performance, quality and manufacturability. Responsibilities will include: * Developing and improving chemical formulations for new and existing products, with a focus on performance, stability and commercial viability. * Designing and carrying out hands-on laboratory experiments, formulation trials and material testing. * Taking formulations from small laboratory batches through pilot trials and into full-scale manufacturing. * Identifying and resolving challenges associated with scaling up formulations, including mixing, viscosity, processing conditions and product consistency. * Conducting physical, chemical and performance testing to validate formulations against required specifications. * Analysing test results and adjusting formulations to improve product performance, durability and manufacturing efficiency. * Working closely with production and engineering teams to successfully introduce new formulations into manufacturing. * Investigating formulation issues, product defects and manufacturing challenges through structured testing and root cause analysis. * Supporting raw material selection, supplier trials and the introduction of alternative materials. Skills & Experience To be considered, you will ideally have: * A degree in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related scientific discipline. * Approximately 5–10 years' experience in a hands-on formulation, R&D, chemical development or product development role. * Strong practical experience developing and modifying chemical formulations within a laboratory environment. * Proven experience conducting laboratory testing, analysing results and improving formulations based on product performance. * Demonstrable experience scaling formulations from small laboratory batches into larger production volumes. * A good understanding of how formulation properties and processing conditions can change during manufacturing scale-up. * Experience working closely with production teams to troubleshoot formulation and manufacturing issues. * Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to independently plan and deliver development projects. Desirable Experience Experience in any of the following areas would be particularly beneficial: * Coatings, inks, paints, resins, adhesives, polymers, laminates or surface treatments. * UV-curable coatings, radiation-cured inks or specialist chemical formulations. * Rheology, viscosity, adhesion, curing behaviour and material compatibility. * Pilot-scale trials, production validation and new product introduction. * Testing material properties such as abrasion, scratch, chemical resistance, durability and adhesion. * Design of Experiments (DoE), formulation optimisation and statistical analysis. The Ideal Candidate We are particularly interested in speaking with experienced chemists who have spent a significant part of their career developing formulations, testing products and solving practical challenges in the laboratory. You will be someone who understands the chemistry behind a formulation but can also appreciate the challenges of manufacturing that product at scale. Most importantly, you will have real hands-on experience taking a formulation from an initial laboratory batch through testing, development and ultimately into larger-scale production
Senior Development Chemist in Shildon employer: Theo James Recruitment
As a Proposals Engineer at our Cramlington location, you will join a dynamic team within a growing international engineering manufacturer that values innovation and collaboration. We offer a highly competitive salary alongside an attractive benefits package, including annual bonuses, private healthcare, and flexible working arrangements, fostering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and well-being. With opportunities to engage in technically complex projects across the global energy and industrial sectors, you will find meaningful and rewarding employment that encourages professional development.
