Senior Development Chemist — Marine Coatings

About the Company

Our client is a globally recognised New Zealand marine-coatings company best known for its premium foul-release and anticorrosive systems used on propellers, running gear, and underwater metals. Their products are used worldwide by boat owners, applicators, and major marine partners who rely on high-performance coatings in harsh saltwater environments.

The company is now entering a major multi-year R&D investment phase. With a rapidly growing technical team and strong commercial momentum, they are building the next generation of innovation in
cathodic-inhibition primers, silicone foul-release coatings, and immersion-resistant technologies
.

To enable this growth, we are seeking an experienced
Senior Development Chemist
to bring deep coatings expertise into a high-performing, start-up-like technical division.

This is a rare opportunity to shape new product lines, influence long-term technology direction, and contribute to succession planning within a rapidly expanding business.

The Role

As Senior Development Chemist, you will be the company's in-house expert on coatings formulation, performance testing, and product development across
primers, silicone foul-release systems, epoxy intermediates, and immersion-grade marine coatings
.

Working across several specialised laboratories equipped with specialised rigs you will lead formulation work and experimental strategy to develop the company's next generation of products.

This is a hands-on, industry-facing, impact-driven role where you will:

• Lead the development of new marine primers and foul-release topcoats to succeed the current product line
• Design and run experimental programmes, material screening, optimisation studies, and failure analyses
• Apply expertise in
  silicone polymer chemistry
  , corrosion behaviour, and marine-environment durability
• Ensure formulations are scalable, robust, and ready for commercial manufacture
• Mentor chemists and support the Product Development Manager in shaping R&D strategy
• Engage with applicators, suppliers, external labs, and field technicians for trials and technical validation

The company's R&D division functions like a start-up environment—fast-growing, collaborative, and technically ambitious. You'll report to the Product Development Manager, and the role is positioned for long-term growth and increasing leadership responsibility as the R&D division expands.

About You

You are an experienced coatings professional who knows
silicone systems, primers, anticorrosive coatings, epoxy intermediates, and immersion technologies
in real industrial settings.

The
ideal
background includes:

• Significant experience in coatings R&D
  , ideally in marine or protective coatings.
• Strong hands-on formulation experience in silicone polymers, foul-release coatings, pretreatments, primers, and corrosion-resistant systems
• A degree (BSc/MSc/PhD) in Chemistry, Materials Science, or related discipline
• Experience from major coatings companies is strongly valued
• Ability to lead complex development projects independently
• Strong communication skills—collaborative, approachable, and comfortable influencing decisions

You are someone who thrives in a growing team, works well with both technical and non-technical colleagues, and brings the confidence to make sound technical decisions while staying open, communicative, and grounded.

Our client is open to
international candidates
, and visa sponsorship is possible.

Why This is a Career-Defining Role

• High influence and visibility
  – play a central role in developing the next generation of marine coatings
• Strong leadership pathway
  – positioned for increased responsibility as the R&D team grows
• A collaborative, expanding technical team
  – industry-experienced chemists, supportive leadership, and an agile environment
• Strong investment in R&D
  – the company is committing major resources over the next 5 years
• Competitive salary
• Work directly with labs, rigs, real-world trials, and the marine industry

If you've ever wanted to drive innovation in a sector where formulation decisions make a real-world difference—from corrosion resistance to long-term fouling performance—this is your chance.

How to Apply

Reach out to us at or call us at for a confidential discussion.

Index Scientific and Technical Recruitment is New Zealand's only recruitment company run by scientists-recruiters. We specialise in serving science, technology, and manufacturing companies. We have the trust of some of the most successful New Zealand and international companies to identify talented technical specialists, managers, executives, regulatory & compliance, and sales & business development specialists. Our commitment lies in enhancing the operation of New Zealand's innovation ecosystem and helping technology and manufacturing companies succeed both locally and internationally.