Electroplating Chemist

Position Summary

The Electroplating Chemist is responsible for the development, optimization, scale-up, and commercialization of advanced electroplating processes and surface treatment of electrodeposited copper foil technologies for high-performance PCB, battery, and advanced electronics applications. This role combines hands-on laboratory work with pilot-scale and manufacturing support to develop new products, improve process capability, and solve complex technical challenges. The position serves as a key technical resource for innovation, product development, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Research & Product Development

·         Design and execute laboratory experiments to develop new electroplating bath chemistries, additives, and surface treatment technologies for electrodeposited copper foil manufacturing.

·         Develop next-generation plating processes to improve electrical, mechanical, thermal, and surface performance characteristics.

·         Investigate new materials, additives, and process technologies to support strategic growth initiatives.

·         Lead new product development projects from concept through commercial implementation.

·         Develop technical data packages and qualification plans for customer approvals.

Process Development & Scale-Up

·         Translate laboratory findings into pilot-scale and production-scale processes.

·         Design experiments (DOE) to optimize plating performance and establish process windows.

·         Evaluate relationships between plating chemistry, operating conditions, deposit structure, and product performance.

·         Support technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing operations.

·         Establish process control methodologies and operating specifications for new products.

Technical Problem Solving

·         Lead root-cause investigations involving plating defects, contamination events, and process instability.

·         Utilize analytical techniques to characterize deposits, surface morphology, and chemical composition.

·         Develop corrective actions and long-term solutions for complex technical issues.

·         Support customer-facing technical discussions and failure analysis investigations.

Laboratory & Analytical Activities

·         Perform chemical analysis and characterization of plating baths and deposits.

·         Utilize laboratory equipment to evaluate electrochemical performance, deposit properties, and material characteristics.

·         Maintain laboratory documentation, technical reports, and experimental databases.

·         Develop new analytical methods to support process development and quality improvement.

Customer & Market Development

·         Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to understand emerging technical requirements and market trends.

·         Generate technical presentations and reports for customers, management, and industry partners.

·         Participate in technical conferences, industry working groups, and collaborative development programs.

Intellectual Property & Innovation

·         Identify opportunities for patentable technologies and process innovations.

·         Maintain awareness of industry developments, competitive technologies, and emerging market opportunities.

·         Contribute to the company's intellectual property strategy and technology roadmap.

Required Qualifications

·         Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Metallurgy, or related technical field.

·         Minimum 5 years of hands-on electroplating, electrochemical process development, or surface finishing experience.

·         Strong understanding of electrochemistry, electrodeposition mechanisms, and plating process fundamentals.

·         Experience designing and executing structured experimental programs.

·         Proven ability to analyze technical data and draw actionable conclusions.

·         Strong technical writing and presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

·         Advanced degree (M.S. or Ph.D.) in Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Materials Science, or related field.

·         Experience developing copper, nickel, tin, silver, gold, or specialty alloy plating systems.

·         Experience in electrodeposited copper foil, printed circuit boards, semiconductor, battery materials, or advanced electronics manufacturing.

·         Knowledge of adhesion promoters, surface treatments, and foil roughening technologies for PCB laminates.

·         Familiarity with analytical tools such as SEM, EDS, XRF, ICP, HPLC, cyclic voltammetry, or surface characterization techniques.

·         Experience with statistical analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), and process modeling.

·         Demonstrated record of successful commercialization of new products or processes.

Key Competencies

·         Scientific curiosity and innovation

·         Experimental design and execution

·         Electrochemical process expertise

·         Advanced analytical and data-driven problem solving

·         Project management and technical leadership

·         Cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Commercial teams

·         Technology commercialization

·         Safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance

Success Measures

·         Successful development and commercialization of new products.

·         Reduction in development cycle time.

·         Achievement of customer qualification milestones.

·         Patent disclosures and intellectual property generation.

·         Improvement in product performance and process capability.

·         Successful scale-up of laboratory technologies to production.

·         Technical leadership in strategic growth programs.

Ideal Candidate Profile

A hands-on electrochemist who enjoys spending time both in the laboratory and on the manufacturing floor, capable of developing novel plating technologies while solving real-world production challenges. This individual combines strong scientific rigor with practical manufacturing experience and has a demonstrated ability to move new technologies from concept to commercial reality. They should be comfortable working across R&D, engineering, quality, and production teams to accelerate product development and process improvement. The candidate should have a working understanding of process control for sequential-step electroplating lines.