R&D Engineer
Date: Nov 4, 2026
Location: Columbia, MD, US, 21044
Company: W. R. Grace & Co.
Annual Wage Range: $121,952.00 - $167,684.00
Other Compensation: Eligibility for the Short-Term Incentive program and other applicable bonuses
Benefits: U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)
Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.
Job Description
Grace is seeking an R&D Engineer to join our Refining Catalysts Catalyst Evaluation R&D team. This role reports to the Director of Catalyst Evaluation and Services and is located at Columbia, Maryland. The primary function of this position is to support and enhance Grace's technical leadership in catalyst and petroleum testing for the Refining Technologies business. Testing in the Evaluations Research group is essential for new product development, customer reformulation, and customer technical support.
Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership for assigned lab areas, serving as the subject matter expert, and managing day-to-day technical activities. Potential technical areas include processes and reactors for catalyst deactivation; batch and continuous reactors for catalyst performance testing and process evaluation; and analytical methods for feedstock and product characterization.
- Manage R&D projects, leading testing efforts for new product development in collaboration with the FCC Synthesis group and in support of customer activities.
- Provide R&D technical support to sales teams to solve problems.
- Present technical results of R&D and materials analyses to outside customers and maintain and manage direct relationships with contacts in customers technical groups.
- Develop information on product performance and product positioning.
- Work with technical sales in preparation of product packages and provide technical presentations to customers.
- Manage and develop strategy for identifying patentable inventions and filing patent disclosures.
- Attend and participate in professional conferences.
- Up to 10% domestic and/or international travel
Required Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of the fundamentals of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, including process control, kinetics, and heat and mass transfer.
- Experience and ability to master new research areas, technical skills and lead new R&D projects.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Understanding of lab-scale testing equipment and willingness to do hands-on lab work and troubleshooting.
- PhD or Masters in Chemical Engineering with 3 years of relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- PhD in Chemical Engineering.
- Experience in heterogeneous catalysis and reaction engineering.
- Experience with fluidization.
- Experience with Excel Macros, C++ and other programming tools for analysis and compilation of lab data.
Benefits
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance and Disability
- Grace Wellness Program
- Flexible Workplace with maximum overlap with the core hours
- Retirement Plans
- 401(k) Company Match
- Paid Vacation and Holidays
- Parental Leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Company Donation Match Program
Grace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.
Nearest Major Market: Baltimore