Director, Chemistry R&D Platform

Work Modality: Onsite M-F
Locations: San Diego, CA | Houston, TX | Chicago, IL
Pay: 180-250k

About the Company

Our client is an advanced chemical technology company developing next-generation manufacturing platforms that integrate biological and synthetic chemistry to produce critical molecules more cleanly, efficiently, and independently from traditional oil-based supply chains.

Their work spans catalysis, synthetic pathway development, and scalable process design, delivering high-impact solutions across fuels, advanced materials, and strategic industrial sectors. The organization is focused on strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and improving resilience across critical supply chains.

Why This Role Exists

Chemistry is at the core of our client’s innovation engine.

Our client is seeking a Director of Chemistry R&D to lead the technical vision and execution of their chemistry platform — from early reaction discovery through pilot-scale development and manufacturing transfer.

This role sits at the intersection of discovery chemistry, catalysis, process development, and manufacturing integration. The Director will lead cross-functional and cross-site teams, translate novel chemistry into scalable processes, and help define the long-term research roadmap.

This is a build-and-lead role for someone energized by solving complex problems and turning fundamental chemistry into deployed technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Set the technical direction for synthetic and process chemistry across multiple R&D sites

• Drive discovery of novel organic and synthetic reaction pathways

• Lead reaction and process development, including solvent systems, catalyst selection, kinetics, and operating conditions

• Design, optimize, and scale catalytic processes, including:

  • Hydrogenation

  • Hydrodeoxygenation

  • Acid/base catalysis

  • Heterogeneous supported-metal and inorganic catalysis

• Develop and evaluate heterogeneous inorganic catalysts, including management of external partners

• Oversee analytical strategy and method development to quantitatively understand and optimize reaction performance

• Establish testing and characterization protocols for fuels, aerospace, and advanced materials applications

• Translate lab-scale chemistry into pilot- and manufacturing-ready processes in collaboration with manufacturing teams and external partners

• Define long-term research roadmaps and intellectual property strategy

• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing chemistry team

• Partner with executive leadership and project management to track milestones, KPIs, and R&D progress

• Set and uphold high standards for laboratory safety, chemical hygiene, and regulatory compliance

Ideal Candidate Profile

This role is suited for a hands-on technical leader with a builder mindset. The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in high-growth environments, creating systems where they do not yet exist, and leading teams through ambiguity.

Candidates may come from large industrial, energy, chemical, or advanced materials organizations and be ready for greater ownership, speed, and influence.

Strong leadership presence, technical depth, and comfort in startup or scaling environments are essential.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry (preferred) or Master’s/Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or closely related field

• 5–10+ years of relevant industry experience

• Demonstrated excellence in laboratory safety and chemical hygiene

• Experience working in BSL-1 and hazardous materials lab environments

• Experience leading multiple chemistry R&D teams or programs simultaneously

• Deep hands-on experience with synthetic pathway discovery and development

• Experience developing and evaluating heterogeneous metal catalysts for hydrogenation and reduction chemistry

• Experience with acid- and base-catalyzed reaction systems

• Strong background in analytical method development and interpretation, including:

  • GC-FID

  • HPLC

  • LC/MS

  • GC/MS

  • NMR

  • ICP

• Experience managing international technical teams and/or external research partners

• Hands-on experience converting batch chemistry to flow or continuous processes

• Ability to manage export-controlled and ITAR-restricted information

Work Environment

• Onsite leadership presence required

• Multi-location collaboration across U.S. sites

• Up to 20% travel may be required