R&D- Staff Scientist (Industrial Wood)

The Staff Scientist provides technical leadership and drives innovation within the Industrial Wood portfolio, with primary focus on Kitchen cabinets, furniture, flooring, and specialty markets while supporting Building Products and other SW technological needs. This role develops, optimizes, and commercializes advanced coatings systems while serving as a key technical resource for industrial customers.

The Staff Scientist is accountable for solving complex product and process challenges using deep expertise in chemistry, substrates, and testing. The role delivers timely, high-quality technical solutions across the division and enterprise and serves as a customer-facing technical expert. In addition, the position plays a critical role in mentoring others and fostering a culture of scientific rigor, continuous improvement, and customer-focused innovation.

This role leads and contributes to projects spanning exploratory research, proof of concept, stage-gate development, commercialization, and service support. The Staff Scientist partners closely with Marketing and Sales to shape the multi‑generational product roadmap and ensure on-time product launches aligned with business strategy. Strong understanding of product design, regulatory requirements, raw materials strategies, and regional/global technical initiatives is required.

Job duties include contact with other employees and access to confidential and proprietary information and/or other items of value, and such access may be supervised or unsupervised. The Company therefore has determined that a review of criminal history is necessary to protect the business and its operations and reputation and is necessary to protect the safety of the Company’s staff, employees, and business relationships.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the country for which you are applying for employment (without now or in the future needing sponsorship for employment work visa and/or permanent residence status)
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Bachelor’s degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field.  
• 12 years of coatings-specific industry experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of coatings manufacturing and application processes. 
• Project support through effective data analysis. 
• Ability to utilize standard software applications including Minitab, spreadsheets, and presentations.

• 10+ years of OEM paint and coatings experience.
• 15 years of coatings-specific industry experience.
• Experience working with products and technologies including Solvent-based, Water-based and UV technologies for OEM application. Wood coating experience is a plus.
• Experience on customer application lines.
• Customer-facing technical leadership.
• DFSS or Lean Green Belt certified.
• Kepner-Tregoe (KT) trained.

Successful candidate will be required to sign an Employee Restrictive Covenant Agreement where permitted by law.

At Sherwin-Williams, our purpose is to inspire and improve the world by coloring and protecting what matters. Our paints, coatings and innovative solutions make the places and spaces in our world brighter and stronger. Your skills, talent and passion make it possible to live this purpose, and for customers and our business to achieve great results. Sherwin-Williams is a place that takes its stability, growth and momentum and translates it to possibility for our people. Our people are behind the strength of our success, and we invest and support you in:

Life … with rewards, benefits and the flexibility to enhance your health and well-being Career … with opportunities to learn, develop new skills and grow your contribution Connection … with an inclusive team and commitment to our own and broader communities It's all here for you... let's Create Your Possible

At Sherwin-Williams, part of our mission is to help our employees and their families live healthier, save smarter and feel better. This starts with a wide range of world-class benefits designed for you. From retirement to health care, from total well-being to your daily commute—it matters to us. A general description of benefits offered can be found at . Click on “Candidates” to view benefit offerings that you may be eligible for if you are hired as a Sherwin-Williams employee.

Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case and will impact where actual compensation may fall within the stated wage range. The wage range listed for this role takes into account the wide range of factors considered in making compensation decisions including skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. The wage range, other compensation, and benefits information listed is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws including with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act where applicable.

Sherwin-Williams is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic information, creed, marital status or any other consideration prohibited by law or by contract.

As a VEVRAA Federal Contractor, Sherwin-Williams requests state and local employment services delivery systems to provide priority referral of Protected Veterans.

Please be aware, Sherwin-Williams recruiting team members will never request a candidate to provide a payment, ask for financial information, or sensitive personal information like national identification numbers, date of birth, or bank account numbers during the application process.

• Lead technical development and maintenance of business activities for the Industrial Wood portfolio.
• Serve as a technical liaison to Marketing by supporting technology road mapping, competitive assessment, and customer-facing technical activities.
• Coordinate with internal Innovation teams to ensure visibility, alignment, and effective transition of new technologies.
• Lead or support global technology development, product development, and service projects through commercialization.
• Drive new and modified product introductions that address customer and industry needs.
• Operate independently to identify, recommend, and lead strategic R&D initiatives.
• Collaborate across labs, disciplines, and stakeholders to deliver market-ready solutions.
• Influence customers and stakeholders through clear, persuasive technical communication.
• Improve efficiency by standardizing practices and eliminating redundant development across labs.
• Mentor and develop R&D team members.