Job Description

Job Location Chicago CIC - Chicago, IL 60607 Salary Range $102,994.61 - $169,225.50 Salary

At MonoSol, we believe science can make everyday life safer, simpler, and more sustainable. From humble beginnings in Northwest Indiana in 1953, we’ve grown into a global leader in water-soluble film technology, trusted by world-class brands in home care, healthcare, and beyond.

Our Core New Product Development (C-NPD) team is at the heart of this innovation, developing breakthrough packaging solutions that reduce waste and meet evolving consumer needs. We thrive on collaboration, working closely with customers to transform insights into new products that perform in the lab and in the marketplace.

As we continue to tackle global packaging challenges, we remain entrepreneurial and inventive at our core. We take pride in our close-knit culture, where curiosity, creativity, and technical excellence drive progress. Joining us means being part of a team that believes in each other, our work, and the positive impact we can have on the world.

We are seeking a curious and motivated Staff Materials Scientist to join our Core New Product Development (C-NPD) team as a Technical Lead. The role is focused on formulation development and product innovation for water-soluble packaging solutions, helping to meet unmet needs in laundry, autodish, and related applications.

This position blends hands-on experimental work with project leadership: you will lead cross-functional development teams, own technical customer relationships, and translate experimental results into innovative, commercializable products. Unlike roles in polymer synthesis, this position emphasizes application of existing polymers, blends, and conversion processes into new solutions.

The Staff Materials Scientist reports directly to the Head of New Product Development R&D, with significant visibility across the organization and customer partners. As a senior-level technical role, it carries the potential for future direct-report leadership responsibilities as organizational needs and individual performance align.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead formulation projects through MonoSol’s stage-gate innovation framework, from concept to commercialization.
• Partner with customer R&D teams to define requirements, co-develop solutions, and validate product performance.
• Design and execute experiments to explore film formulation, structure–property relationships and converting processes.
• Apply advanced data analysis and modeling tools (Python, JMP, MATLAB) to interpret complex results and accelerate development.
• Guide cross-functional teams in evaluating new materials and processes, ensuring technical rigor and alignment with customer needs.
• Communicate technical results and recommendations effectively to internal leadership and customer stakeholders.
• Mentor and coach junior scientists, strengthening MonoSol’s innovation capability.
• Stay current with external trends in materials, packaging, and sustainability to inform innovation strategy.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. (preferred) or M.S. in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field.
• 5–10 years of experience in formulation and product development, with proven success in translating lab concepts into commercial solutions.
• Strong understanding of polymer chemistry and film structure–property relationships as applied to product design.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects, manage customer relationships, and balance technical and commercial objectives.
• Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation for mechanical and performance testing.
• Proficiency with statistical and computational analysis tools (Python, JMP, MATLAB).
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Creative, curious, and team-oriented professional who thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Additional information

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with a pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:

• The compensation range that is described below is the possible base pay compensation that the company believes in good faith that it will pay for this role at the time of posting based on job grade for the position. Individual compensation within this range is based on many factors such as years of experience etc. so the company might pay more or less than the posted range and it is understood that this range may be modified in the future.
• In addition to base compensation, MonoSol provides a yearly incentive compensation bonus, a profit sharing bonus when eligible, a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision insurances, short term disability, long term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, term life insurance, voluntary term life insurance, transit flexible spending account (if applicable), employee assistance program, identity theft protection, 401k and paid time off (vacation and sick days).

Compensation range - $102,994.61 - $169,225.50

Incentive Compensation Bonus Target – 10% - 15%

Paid time off amount – 15 days

Closing

The above statements describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. This is not intended as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. MonoSol, LLC reserves the right to make changes to the job description whenever necessary.

Disclaimer

As part of MonoSol, LLC’s employment process, finalist candidates will be required to complete a physical drug/alcohol test and background check prior to employment commencing. MonoSol, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status.

Qualifications