Failure Analysis and Materials Testing Scientist

About Lubrizol  
The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is a specialty chemical company whose science delivers sustainable solutions to advance mobility, improve wellbeing and enhance modern life. Founded in 1928, Lubrizol owns and operates more than 100 manufacturing facilities, sales, and technical offices around the world and has about 8,000 employees. For more information, visit www.Lubrizol.com.

We value diversity in professional backgrounds and life experiences. By enabling a consistent, unbiased, and transparent recruitment process, Lubrizol seeks to create a positive experience for candidates so we can get to know them at their best. We recognize unique work and life situations and offer flexibility, ensuring our employees feel engaged and fulfilled in every aspect of life.   

Job Title: Failure Analysis and Materials Testing Scientist

Job Location: Brecksville, OH

Job type: Full-Time

Type of role: Hybrid 

Join Our Thriving Team at Lubrizol as a Failure Analysis and Materials Testing Scientist

Unleash Your Potential. At Lubrizol we're transforming the chemical industry and looking for exceptional talent to join us on this journey. If you are ready to join an international company with talent around the world, and want to make a real impact, we want you on our team.

What You'll Do:

As a Failure Analysis and Materials Testing Scientist, you'll be at the forefront of our innovation, and you will be responsible for conducting failure analysis and chemical resistance testing of CPVC (Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride) materials used in piping as well as novel applications You'll collaborate with a diverse group of passionate individuals to deliver sustainable solutions to advance mobility, improve wellbeing and enhance modern life. You will use your expertise to collaborate and provide technical service along the entire value chain:  providing risk assessment for new business development opportunities, collaboration with product development and manufacturing on testing and quality issues, technical expertise for claims and litigation matters, value-added technical service for direct customers worldwide, and best practices guidance for end-users in the building and construction industry.

What We're Looking For:

• Failure Analysis: Investigate and analyze failed CPVC products from building construction and industrial applications to identify root causes and apply lessons learned to improve best practices guidance. 
• Assess Chemical Resistance and Compatibility: Develop and refine protocols for testing compatibility of building construction products with CPVC piping systems.  Conduct testing to evaluate the resistance of newly-developed CPVC compounds against typical industrial chemicals, or the resistance of standard CPVC compounds to chemicals used in novel applications for CPVC.
• Collaborate across the value chain: Work closely with R&D cross-functional teams including chemists, material scientists, engineers, and product development specialists to analyze product qualification failures and provide guidance for future work.  Work with business development team to provide guidance on suitable applications for CPVC.  Collaborate with legal team to provide technical and documentary support for claims and litigation matters.  Assist technical service team in identifying and solving customer quality problems. 
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain complete and accurate records of testing procedures, results, and observations. Prepare concise reports summarizing findings and recommendations.  Prepare and deliver papers and presentations to educate the building & construction and chemical handling industries on chemical and mechanical attributes of the polymer as well as best practices in specification and installation.

Skills That Make a Difference:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Chemicals Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related field.  Considered a plus: Masters or PhD in any of these fields.
• Hands-on experience in failure analysis, chemical compatibility testing, and chemical resistance evaluation of CPVC compounds or similar polymer materials.
• In-depth understanding of PVC or CPVC compounds, polymer chemistry and morphology, material properties, and relevant testing methods. Familiarity with analytical chemistry as it can be applied to failure analysis. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to identify failure modes, interpret observations and test results, and propose effective solutions.
• Proficient in operating and maintaining laboratory equipment and instruments for failure analysis and chemical testing.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively present findings, collaborate with team members, and communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders such as attorneys, piping installers, and building owners.
• Meticulous attention to detail to ensure accurate data collection, record-keeping, documentation, and reporting.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, contribute to group discussions, and support the achievement of team goals.

Perks and Rewards That Inspire:

• Competitive salary with performance-based bonus plans
• 401k Match plus Age Weighted Defined Contribution
• Competitive medical, dental and vision offerings
• Health Savings Account
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, Parental Leave

Ready for your next career step? Apply today and let's shape the future together! 

It’s an exciting time to be part of Lubrizol. Lubrizol is not staying put. We are continually learning and evolving. Our passion delivers our success — not only for Lubrizol but for those who count on us every day: our employees, customers and communities. 

We work with a relentless commitment to operate safely and responsibly, keeping safety, sustainability, ethics, and compliance at the forefront of everything we do. The well-being of our employees, customers and communities is paramount to our culture and in the way we approach our work.

As a diverse, global team, we work together to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges. We impact everyday lives through science only Lubrizol can deliver, and we never stop pushing to do it better.

One of the founding principles of The Lubrizol Corporation more than 90 years ago was treating every employee with dignity and respect. That same commitment is only stronger today. 

More than that, we are committed to providing an environment where every employee can be the best they can be, no matter their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic. 

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