Synthetic Chemist - Energetics Manufacturing

Job Description

Synthetic Chemist - Develop the chemistry behind next-generation energetics manufacturing

Waltham, Massachusetts On-site

Opportunity Summary

Join an early-stage defense technology company developing advanced chemical manufacturing systems for critical energetic materials. The company is combining chemistry, automation, and continuous processing to increase domestic production capacity for materials used across defense applications. As a Synthetic Chemist, you will own hands-on chemistry development at the front end of the technical pipeline. You will design and execute experiments, develop and optimize synthetic routes, investigate reaction mechanisms, and build the technical understanding required before chemistry moves into pilot-scale production. This is a highly experimental role centered on synthesis, reaction development, and problem solving at the bench. You will work closely with process development engineers and chemists to ensure laboratory discoveries can ultimately translate into safe, repeatable, and scalable manufacturing processes.

About Us

We are a venture-backed defense manufacturing startup developing modular, highly automated production systems for energetic materials. The team is building new approaches to chemical manufacturing that combine continuous processing, advanced chemistry, and automation to improve production speed, safety, consistency, and scalability.

Job Duties

Design and execute laboratory experiments to develop and characterize chemical reactions

Develop, evaluate, and optimize synthetic routes and reaction conditions

Use structured experimental approaches, including DoE and parametric studies, to understand key reaction variables

Investigate reaction mechanisms, impurities, failure modes, and competing chemical pathways

Generate reliable experimental data that informs reaction design and future scale-up

Develop and apply analytical methods to evaluate reaction performance and product characteristics

Use tools such as NMR, HPLC, GC-MS, FTIR, and related techniques to support chemistry development

Work closely with process development teams as chemistry transitions from flask and small-reactor experiments toward pilot-scale systems

Evaluate thermal behavior, chemical stability, and process hazards throughout development

Troubleshoot reactions, laboratory equipment, and experimental systems

Identify opportunities to simplify chemistry, processing steps, and experimental workflows

Clearly document results and communicate technical recommendations across chemistry and engineering teams

Qualifications

Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, Catalysis, or a related field

5+ years of professional experience in synthetic chemistry, reaction development, or closely related experimental R&D

Strong hands-on experience with benchtop chemical synthesis

Experience designing and optimizing reactions rather than primarily executing established procedures

Strong understanding of reaction chemistry, experimental design, and laboratory practices

Working knowledge of analytical techniques such as NMR, HPLC, GC-MS, or FTIR

Strong experimental troubleshooting and problem-solving skills

Ability to operate independently in a hands-on laboratory environment

Ability to lift up to 50 pounds

Ability to work on-site and travel as needed

Must meet applicable U.S. export-control requirements and be eligible to obtain a U.S. security clearance

Preferred Experience

Continuous-flow chemistry or flow reactor development

Reaction scale-up from benchtop experiments into larger laboratory or pilot systems

Process chemistry or chemical process development

Nitration chemistry or other highly exothermic reactions

Experience working with energetic, hazardous, reactive, or toxic materials

Analytical method development using HPLC, IC, NMR, ICP-OES/MS, DSC/TGA, or related techniques

Experience within pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, fine chemicals, energetics, propellants, explosives, or other chemistry-intensive manufacturing environments

Experience working closely with process development or chemical engineering teams to transition chemistry toward production

Why Join Us

This role offers significant ownership over chemistry that is intended to move beyond laboratory research and into real-world production.

You will work at the point where fundamental chemistry decisions are made, with direct visibility into how your experimental work influences process development, pilot-scale systems, and future manufacturing.

The environment is hands-on and highly technical, with close collaboration across chemistry, process engineering, automation, and hardware development.

Early-stage equity and competitive benefits.

Compensation Details

$150,000 - $200,000

Full-time