Research and Development Ink Chemist
- Location
- San Diego, California, United States of America
- Work mode
- On-site
- Employment type
- Full-time
About the job
Research and Development Ink Chemist Description - Research and Development Ink Chemist
Why join our team
At HP, we exist to amaze through the technologies we create, the experiences we enable, and the impact we deliver for customers around the world. As an Ink RnD Chemist in HP’s Chemistry Center of Excellence Organization located in sunny San Diego, you will help develop and advance innovative inks and fluids that power industry-leading inkjet and other printing solutions. This role offers the opportunity to work with diverse teams, solve complex technical challenges, and design innovative products from concept through development and transfer to final manufacturing. We welcome candidates who are curious, collaborative, and eager to learn, bringing a passion for science and technology, a growth mindset, and a desire to help shape the future of digital printing .
Job Summary
The R&D Chemist is responsible for the design and formulation of ink, dispersion, and related chemical technologies through a combination of empirical design and modeling methods. This role combines formulation science, process development, scale-up, technical problem solving, and cross-functional leadership to deliver solutions that meet performance, quality, manufacturability, regulatory, cost, and supply requirements. The work will focus on developing components and formulations that expand various ink and printing fluid attributes. It will also involve optimizing the new inks for drop formation and the printing process. Part of the role is to collaborate with the printer component designers to implement system level changes to balance tradeoffs in the various components.
Responsibilities
- Design and optimize ink, dispersion, and related formulations to achieve product performance, quality, Regulatory, Manufacturability, cost, and supply objectives.
- Lead component development and technical projects from concept through product qualification and introduction
- Cross-functional/pan global team participation and leadership
- Apply expertise in formulation science, pigment and dye chemistry, polymers, colloidal systems, and surface chemistry to solve complex technical challenges.
- Design and execute experiments, analyze data, and translate findings into actionable technical recommendations.
- Support Print system characterization, process development, manufacturing scale-up, technology transfer, and production readiness activities.
- Lead technical investigations and resolve formulation, process, quality, and manufacturing issues.
- Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, supply chain, regulatory, and supplier partners to deliver business objectives.
- Communicate technical progress, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders and management.
- Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to project teams and fellow chemists.
Qualifications
- Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, or a related field.
- Understanding of fundamental chemical mechanisms. Key areas include:
- Formulation development and dispersion technology
- Pigment and dye chemistry
- Polymers in solution,
- Organic and Inorganic nanoparticle suspensions
- Interfacial and surface chemistry
- Proficiency in appropriate analytical instruments and data interpretation
- Wet chemistry or ink formulation experience
- Strong written and spoken communication skills
- Ability to creatively solve problems in a fast-paced product development environment
- Ability to work and effectively interact (remotely, as needed) with team members from other disciplines, projects, organizations, cultures, and companies
- Demonstrated leadership, teamwork/interpersonal, communication and technical skills
- Resourceful, creative, and flexible
Desired qualifications
- Programming skills
- Familiarity with printing technology and color science
- Formulation experience is a plus
The pay range for this role is $114,600 to $170,000 USD annually with additional opportunities for pay in the form of bonus and/or equity (applies to United States of America candidates only). Pay varies by work location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Benefits:
HP offers a comprehensive benefits package for this position, including:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Long term/short term disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Life insurance
- Generous time off policies, including;
- 4-12 weeks fully paid parental leave based on tenure
- 11 paid holidays
- Additional flexible paid vacation and sick leave ( US benefits overview )
The compensation and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, with or without notice, subject to applicable law.
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Job - Engineering Schedule - Full time Shift - No shift premium (United States of America) Travel - Not Specified Relocation - Yes Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) -
HP, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and prospective employees, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, age, disability, or status as a protected veteran, marital status, familial status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, uniformed service status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable national, federal, state, and local law(s).
Please be assured that you will not be subject to any adverse treatment if you choose to disclose the information requested. This information is provided voluntarily. The information obtained will be kept in strict confidence.
For more information, review HP’s EEO Policy or read about your rights as an applicant under the law here: “ Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal "
From HP's careers page (Workday), checked 6 Nov 2026.
How to apply
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- Fill in the form and upload your résumé there. Jobiwork never sees your application.
- HP will reply to you directly. No real employer asks you for money to apply.
Posted 5 Nov 2026 · checked 6 Nov 2026 · Report this job