Formulation Scientist - Motorsports

Location: Lexington, KY, US, 40509

Company: Valvoline Global

Why Valvoline Global Operations?

Valvoline Global is a worldwide leader in automotive and industrial solutions, creating future-ready products and best-in-class services for partners around the globe. Established in 1866, we introduced the world’s first branded motor oil, claiming our position as The Original Motor Oil. As an affiliate of Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies, we continue to invest strategically and expand globally, driving unparalleled product innovation and sustainable business solutions.

Our corporate values of care, integrity, passion, unified, and excellence shape everything we do. Living out our values is what makes our company, our employees, our partners, our customers, and the communities we serve great.

When you join Valvoline Global, you join a culture that is committed to: treating all people with care, operating with integrity, striving for excellence in everything we do, showing passion about delivering on our commitments, and being unified in all our enterprise endeavors.

Careers for the Driven

Valvoline has a rewarding opportunity as a Formulation Scientist-Motorsports . We whole-heartedly adopt a ‘never idle’ mindset. We also know that outstanding service begins and ends with our employees. So, we’re looking for good people to join our team. You bring your skills, talents, and drive. We will give you a great place to work, a competitive salary and benefits, and the resources and support to develop and advance within our global company.

The Formulation Scientist-Motorsports role will focus on creation and continuous improvement of lubricants for Formula One power units, and other motorsport engines, to meet or exceed performance, reliability, and sanctioning body targets. The successful candidate will formulate these lubricants from individual components and will not incorporate commercial additive packages. This role requires working with cross-functional teams to develop and refine lubricants, supporting combustion engines, hybrid systems, and cooling elements, to ensure increased performance deploying adjacent and/or cutting-edge technologies. In alignment with strategic directives, this role will sponsor and conduct research at National Laboratories and Universities, using the acquired data to design high performance lubricants, then confirming performance with both laboratory-based and on track testing.

How You’ll Make an Impact

• Create new racing engine oil formulations from basic components without the use of commercial additive packages to constantly increase engine performance and durability for F1, NASCAR, and other types of professional racing.
• Design groundbreaking engine lubricants through laboratory-based testing and iterative product trials, ensuring lubricants meet stringent quality and effectiveness standards, often being the first to deploy new technology in the automotive space, and continually strives to improve performance.
• Lead product trials in collaboration with racing teams at racing events and during on track tests, with a commitment to monitoring and refining lubricant formulations based on acquired real-world performance data, analytical modeling, and first principle physics and chemistry.
• Conduct research and leads studies to develop innovative lubrication solutions that enhance engine performance, durability, and efficiency in high-stress racing environments
• Establish and grows a strong external network of collaborators in academia, government laboratories, suppliers, and the racing industry
• Define trade secrets patentable inventions, and seek intellectual property protection when applicable
• Provide technical support to race teams, component suppliers, sanctioning bodies, etc. as required
• Other duties and responsibilities as determined by Valvoline Global Operations from time to time in its sole discretion.

What You’ll Need

• Minimum B.S. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering
• Direct experience in F1 racing engine oil and formulation
• Strong technical background in engineering fundamentals including lubrication, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid mechanics

• 10+ years lab experience with 5-7 years’ experience in motorsports or relevant R&D activity

• Possess an intellectual curiosity with a passion to explore and innovate both within and outside of stated area of expertise in pursuit of increased engine performance

• Familiarity with racing driveline hardware, fluid formulation, transmission operation and designs

• Knowledge of engine and transmission performance testing

• Ability to evaluate and select both providers and products from our sourced products portfolio for the professional racing industry

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for both technical and non-technical audiences

• Passion and enthusiastic, ability to work individually and in teams

• Lab environment, must be able to lift 25 pounds. Travel is required to perform some responsibilities of position.

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

What Will Set You Apart

• Masters or PhD preferred
• Ability to speak Japanese is preferred
• Experience in Intellectual Property generation and control
• Experience in tribology and lubricant product development

Benefits That Drive Themselves

• Health insurance plans (medical, dental, vision)
• HSA and flexible spending accounts
• 401(k)
• Incentive opportunity*
• Life insurance
• Short and long-term disability insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays*
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee discounts
• Tuition reimbursement*
• Adoption assistance*

*Terms and conditions apply, and benefits may differ depending on position.

Valvoline Global provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Are you good at what you do? Join us.

The Company has put a process in place to make its recruitment process accessible to any and all users. Reasonable accommodations will be provided, upon request, to applicants with disabilities in order to facilitate equal opportunity throughout the recruitment and selection process. Please contact Human Resources at 1-800-Valvoline or email to make a request for reasonable accommodation during any aspect of the recruitment and selection process. The contact information is for accommodation requests only; do not use this contact information to inquire about the status of applications.

Requisition ID: 998

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Nearest Major Market: Lexington