Company Description For more than 20 years, Vorbeck Materials has been pushing the boundaries of what advanced materials can do. Today, that foundation is powering technologies built for some of the world’s most demanding environments, from PFAS-free firefighting foams to advanced signal technologies for defense, communications, and industry. Innovation is at the core of Vorbeck. With more than 100 patents, we’ve spent two decades transforming breakthrough materials science into technologies designed to solve complex, real-world challenges.
Twenty years in, Vorbeck is accelerating. We’re scaling technologies, expanding into new markets, and building the team that will shape what comes next. Job Description Job Type:  Full-time Classification: Exempt Pay: $70,000 - $90,000, based on experience Physical Setting/work location: On-site in Columbia, MD Vorbeck is seeking a technically skilled and collaborative Senior Associate, R&D Chemist to play an active role in the research, formulation, testing, and continued development of our PFAS-free firefighting foam technologies.
This role will have the opportunity to develop and improve formulations, design and conduct experiments, evaluate product performance, and translate laboratory results into meaningful product improvements. The ideal candidate combines strong scientific fundamentals with a hands-on approach to laboratory research and problem-solving. This individual will work closely with scientists, engineers, technicians, and production personnel to solve technical challenges, advance research initiatives, and help move new technologies from laboratory development through scale-up and commercialization.
Formulation & Product Development: Develop, evaluate, and improve firefighting foam concentrates across Vorbeck's product lines. Design and execute formulation experiments, evaluate raw materials and formulation variables, and use experimental results to improve product performance, stability, manufacturability, and other key product characteristics. Laboratory Testing & Data Analysis: Perform analytical and performance testing of Vorbeck formulations, competitive products, raw materials, and developmental samples.
Analyze and interpret experimental results, identify trends and performance relationships, and use data to guide formulation development and technical decision-making. Maintain accurate and traceable laboratory records in accordance with established documentation practices. Research & Experimental Design: Develop and execute internal research projects that support product development and broader technical objectives.
Design experiments and new performance testing protocols to investigate formulation behavior, product performance, and technical challenges. Identify new research opportunities and independently advance assigned projects from initial concept through experimentation, analysis, and communication of results. Scale-Up & Production Support: Provide laboratory and technical support as successful formulations progress toward scale-up and production.
Collaborate with engineering, production, quality, and other technical teams to evaluate formulation performance, troubleshoot technical challenges, and provide laboratory data and findings that inform scale-up and production decisions. Technical Documentation & SOP Development: Develop, maintain, and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs), laboratory methods, formulation instructions, and other technical documentation.
Clearly communicate experimental methods, results, conclusions, and recommendations to technical and cross-functional team members. Laboratory Safety & Operations: Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and efficient laboratory environment by following established safety procedures and properly utilizing required personal protective equipment (PPE). Ensure chemicals, formulations, samples, and laboratory materials are properly handled, stored, and disposed of in acc