Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: APOG), was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. Apogee is a growing, profitable company with annual revenues approaching $1.5 billion. We provide distinctive metal and glass solutions for enclosing commercial buildings, and glass and acrylic solutions for picture framing and display applications. To learn more visit: www.apog.com.
The Apogee Performance Surfaces segment has grown from $100M to $200M in revenue through a recent acquisition. Our brands in the Performance Surfaces portfolio develop and manufacture high-performance coated materials for a variety of applications, including wall décor, museums, graphic design, architectural interiors, digital display, and industrial flooring markets. We are the global leader in anti-reflective, conservation grade electrostatic dissipative, high-definition, and abrasion resistance coatings, that provide protection, innovative designs, and exceptional durability.
Position Summary
The Senior Scientist – Radiation Curable Coatings is a technical leader within the R&D organization, responsible for the design, formulation, and commercialization of UV/EB-curable coatings through a deep understanding of structure–property–performance relationships, coating–substrate interactions, application-method-driven formulation requirements, and gloss control mechanisms. This role combines hands-on formulation chemistry with project leadership, technical mentoring, and cross-functional collaboration to advance the company’s innovation pipeline and core technologies.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design and formulation of UV/EB-curable coatings (acrylate, methacrylate, epoxy, cationic, hybrid systems).
- Apply deep understanding of structure–property relationships to optimize adhesion, hardness, flexibility, chemical resistance, weatherability, optical properties, cure response, and gloss level.
- Design coatings for and troubleshoot adhesion to wood, glass, acrylic, vinyl, aluminum, and steel.
- Develop and optimize low-gloss and matte coatings using controlled incompatibility, surface topology control, matting agents, phase separation, and cure kinetics.
- Formulate coatings compatible with roll coating, spray, curtain coating, vacuum coating, and flow/slot-die coating.
- Establish relationships between molecular structure, formulation, processing conditions, substrate characteristics, and surface morphology.
- Troubleshoot formulation, application, gloss, adhesion, and scale-up challenges.
- Define technical objectives, experimental plans, and success criteria aligned with business and application needs.
- Communicate progress, risks, and tradeoffs to cross-functional stakeholders.
- Ensure formulations are robust, scalable, and deliver consistent appearance and performance.
- Mentor junior and mid-level chemists in formulation strategy, gloss control, and application-aware formulation.
- Promote best practices in experimental design, data quality, and documentation.
- Collaborate with application engineering, manufacturing, quality, sales, and customers.
Personal Attributes and Experience
- PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Materials Science.
- 5–10+ years of industrial experience in UV/EB-curable coatings including free-radical, EB, cationic, or dual-cure systems.
- Demonstrated expertise in structure–property–performance relationships.
- Proven experience with low-gloss or matte coatings.
- Experience with multiple substrates and coating application methods.
- Track record of leading technical projects to commercialization.
- Familiarity with rheology, FTIR cure monitoring, DMA, surface roughness, and gloss measurement.
- Prior experience mentoring or leading chemists and technicians.
Our Benefits
We care about and invest in our employees. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their well-being and foster professional development. Here is a glimpse of what you can look forward to if you join our team.
Competitive Benefits Package for employees and their dependents (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability)
Incentive Plans
401(k) with employer contribution and match
Employee Stock Purchase Plan with employer match
Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick Time)
Paid Holidays
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Wellness Program
Training and Career Progression
Work Environment
This job is primarily performed in an office environment. The noise level in the office is generally moderate.
#LI-TV1
Apogee and our brands are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Skills Required
- PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, or Materials Science
- 5-10+ years of industrial experience in UV/EB-curable coatings (free-radical, EB, cationic, or dual-cure)
- Demonstrated expertise in structure-property-performance relationships
- Proven experience with low-gloss or matte coatings
- Experience with multiple substrates (wood, glass, acrylic, vinyl, aluminum, steel) and coating application methods
- Track record of leading technical projects to commercialization
- Familiarity with rheology, FTIR cure monitoring, DMA, surface roughness, and gloss measurement
- Prior experience mentoring or leading chemists and technicians
Apogee Enterprises Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Apogee Enterprises and has not been reviewed or approved by Apogee Enterprises.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Ownership via an Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a company match is positioned as a core element of total rewards, enhancing long‑term value beyond base pay. Plan updates and corporate materials emphasize this equity component as a meaningful part of compensation.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) with employer contribution and match is consistently highlighted, signaling solid support for long‑term savings. Job materials and corporate content frame retirement plans as a key pillar of the package.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellness and mental‑health resources include screenings, flu shots for employees and dependents, and an EAP with multiple counseling visits plus an online CBT tool. These offerings indicate tangible investment in wellbeing beyond core medical coverage.
Apogee Enterprises Insights
What We Do
By definition, Apogee means "highest point." It's no coincidence that it's also the name of our company. For over 70 years it is a name that has inspired and driven us to achieve a higher level of excellence in all we do. We are not satisfied with the status quo. We aim higher, think bigger, and endeavor to create even more value for every Apogee stakeholder. We strive to create peak value. Apogee is a leader in architectural products and services. Our glass and aluminum window, storefront and curtainwall systems make buildings look great, reduce energy consumption, and protect occupants and property. Our highly skilled team designs glass and metal building façades, completes massive orders for skyscrapers on time, and manages complex window, curtainwall and storefront installation projects. We are also a leader in the protection and conservation of all things framed and displayed. Our Tru Vue business provides high-performance glass and acrylic products for the custom framing, fine art, and technical glass markets.
