R&D Scientist

Building our Future Together. FXI is a leading manufacturer of polyurethane foam, which provides an array of comfort solutions to the Bedding, Furniture and Transportation markets. We have made it our mission to provide tailored solutions that delight our customers and consumers. We are an industry leader in the rapidly growing Mattress in a Box segment of the bedding market. We have created a “molecules to doorstep” business model that leverages our leading innovation, scale, and footprint to deliver our own brands as well as other leading brands to the market and to consumers doorsteps. With our corporate headquarters, high-tech research and development facility, and multiple manufacturing locations in North America, FXI has built a culture of innovation and achievement that is recognized by customers, suppliers and peers. We provide one of the broadest sets of comfort solutions to the broadest set of industry players, through the broadest manufacturing platform in the industry. You will find FXI’s comfort technologies inside countless applications you encounter every day. Everywhere comfort is needed, FXI’s innovations lead the way! We are always looking for best-in-class talent to join our innovative, fun, and value-driven culture. What are you waiting for?

Job Purpose: The R&D Scientist will work out of our state-of-the-art Innovation Center where we focus on developing novel polyurethane foam formulations and products. An ideal candidate is a practical, hands-on person with a drive for learning and a passion for science and problem solving. In this role you will use your chemical, materials, and technical expertise, working closely with the business unit leads, marketing, sales, and manufacturing to execute new product development projects and technical service requests. You will develop polyurethane foam products for both technological and commercial implementation. By utilizing the extensive experience and testing resources of our research group, the candidate will provide data-driven solutions to both foam formulations and product constructions.

Responsibilities:

• Develop novel and modify existing polyurethane foam formulations
• Work closely with the technical and automotive sales teams to determine customer needs and adjust foam formulations accordingly
• Create testing methodologies to quantify product performance in non-standard applications
• Facilitate the transition of new foam formulations from the laboratory bench to large-scale manufacturing
• Quickly and effectively respond to technical service requests from manufacturing and commercial team members
• Report research and development findings in written and presentation format
• Deliver presentations to internal and external audiences

Qualifications:

• A minimum of bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or chemistry is preferred. Similar degrees polymer science and materials science will also be considered
• 2-3 years’ experience in polymers research or engineering (preferred, not required)
• Experience working in a laboratory setting (preferred, not required)
• Experience with polymer formulation development (preferred, not required)
• Experience in materials testing and test method development (preferred, not required)
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with internal and external colleagues fostering a collaborative workplace environment.
• Effective communication, presentation, and people skills
• Proficient computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.