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Job Title


R&D- Scientist


Company : Sherwin-Williams


Location : Brecksville, OH


Created : 2026-03-01


Job Type : Full Time


Job Description

A scientist will provide technical leadership and innovation for our Industrial Wood portfolio, focusing on the building products segment, but will also be involved with other segments such as kitchen cabinets, furniture, and flooring. This role develops and optimizes advanced coatings systems and provides technical support to our industrial customers. The individual is accountable for solving complex technical problems around products and processes while demonstrating significant chemistry, substrate, and testing knowledge. The scientist will be responsible for providing timely, accurate, and solutions to these technical problems across the division and the entire enterprise. In addition to technical responsibilities, this position plays a key role in proactively mentoring chemists, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, continuous learning, and customer-centric innovation. This role will also serve as a customer-facing technical expert and will heavily interact and interface with OEMs throughout the development timelines.Job duties include contact with other employees and access 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. 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 the assessment, development, reformulation, quality improvement, maintenance, and enhancement of products by planning, executing, and analyzing experiments with clear and accurate results. •    Demonstrate innovation and initiative by generating new project proposals and developing R&D programs of significant technical and commercial value. •    Develop and launch new products and methods, improve existing products, and proactively identify and resolve issues before they impact customers or operations. •    Identify, recommend, and lead strategic projects, including the evaluation and adoption of new technology solutions. •    Collaborate with the broader technology team to build and advance technology platforms. •    Provide technical support to Marketing, Sales, and Manufacturing to ensure efficient product flow and accurate technical information for Sherwin Williams customers. •    Develop new and innovative coating technologies that enable the laboratory to deliver differentiated solutions for customers. •    Maintain a strong understanding of customer needs, market dynamics, and relevant business factors. •    Mentor and coach technical professionals at all levels. •    Lead multiple technically complex projects simultaneously. •    Understand and apply the Stage Gate process in project execution. •    Comply with all safety policies and maintain thorough laboratory documentation. •    Independently lead projects and project teams with minimal guidance from management. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS•    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.   •    10+ years of formulating coatings experience.•    Demonstrated knowledge of manufacturing of coatings and application processes. •    Demonstrated  project management skills.•    Project support through effective data analysis. •    Ability to utilize standard software applications including Minitab, spreadsheets, and presentations.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS•    10+ years of OEM paint and coatings experience.•    Experience working with products and technologies including water-based building products for OEM application. Wood coating experience is a plus.•    Experience on customer application lines. •    Customer-facing technical leadership.•    DFSS or Lean Green Belt certified.TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: 20%This position is not eligible for sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, including conversion to H-1B visa. Successful candidate will be required to sign an Employee Restrictive Covenant Agreement where permitted by law.