Research Scientist I

Job Purpose

As part of the Siding Technology Team, identify, develop, and implement technologies and new products that improve customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, product quality, and business profitability.

In this position you will have the opportunity to:

•    Assume responsibility for personal safety and for the safety performance of our team.
•    Research materials and methods to determine their suitability for use in residential & commercial construction products, including working with third party labs and testing agencies.
•    Familiarity with wood and cellulosic materials – properties, characterization methods, and process technologies
•    Develop project charters and lead project teams to completion.
•    Design, build and test product prototypes to determine fitness for use and installation methodology.
•    Familiarity with paint and coating technologies, including application methods and process technologies.
•    Assist with development of non-standard test methods that provide meaningful performance data to guide decision making.
•    Competent of Design of Experiments (DOE), failure analysis, and data analysis
•    Assist with the Legal team to obtain and protect LP intellectual property.
•    Maintain records according to technology team procedures and corporate records retention guidelines.
•    Communicate and collaborate effectively with other functions, including Safety, Engineering, Quality, Marketing & Sales, Environmental, & Operations.
•    Participate in the development and evaluation of new technology.
•    Perform other duties as necessary for the Technical team.
 

What do I need to be successful?

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
•    Expertise in scientific research practices, statistical analysis of data, full-scale and lab-scale product manufacturing technology, equipment, process operating parameters and product attributes.
•    Knowledge of the building products industry, equipment, processes, equipment suppliers, and construction applications. 
•    Ability to apply mathematics, science, and engineering to a variety of complex business problems.
•    Familiarity with R&D work processes and project management practices.
•    Good business acumen and technical judgment.
•    Ability to function effectively on multi-disciplinary teams and with co-workers at all levels and in various departments.
•    Ability to communicate effectively across a wide spectrum of disciplines.
 

Education/Experience

Education:
•    Bachelor’s degree in Scientific and/or Engineering Discipline.

Experience:
•    An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the key responsibilities of this position.
 

Work Environment

•    Office, laboratory, construction, and manufacturing environments. 
•    Moderate to heavy travel requiring a flexible schedule.

About LP

As a leader in high-performance building solutions, LP Building Solutions manufactures engineered wood building products that meet the demands of builders worldwide. Its extensive offerings include innovative and dependable building products and accessories, such as the LP Structural Solutions portfolio (LP WeatherLogic® Air & Water Barrier, LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Flooring, LP® TechShield® Radiant Barrier, LP® FlameBlock® Fire-Rated Sheathing and more), oriented strand board (OSB), LP® TopNotch® Sub-Flooring, LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding, and LP® Outdoor Building Solutions®.

In addition to product solutions, LP provides industry-leading service and warranties. Since its founding in 1973, LP has been Building a Better World™ by helping customers construct beautiful, durable homes. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, LP operates 26 plants across the U.S., Canada, Chile and Brazil. 

LP’s values-driven, positive culture creates an environment where talented and hardworking people thrive in a safe, ethical, fun, challenging and rewarding place to work.  For more than 50 years, we’ve developed careers and provided advancement opportunities in the building products industry.