R&D- Associate Engineer at Sherwin-Williams in Minneapolis, MN

Summary: Sherwin-Williams is a company dedicated to inspiring and improving the world through their innovative paints and coatings. They are seeking an Associate Engineer to support laboratory testing, product development, and powder application studies within the Powder Applications Lab, focusing on foundational technical capabilities in powder coatings and application methods. Responsibilities: - Prepare metal panels and customer substrates, including cleaning, pretreatment, and surface preparation steps - Apply powder coatings using manual electrostatic spray equipment and lab scale spray booths following defined procedures - Support chemists and engineers by executing application trials, recording observations, and helping evaluate film build, appearance, and application consistency - Perform standard performance testing such as adhesion, hardness, impact resistance, gloss measurement, color evaluation, and corrosion testing - Document results in lab notebooks and digital systems with accuracy and attention to detail - Assist in troubleshooting common powder application issues including orange peel, back ionization, transfer efficiency, and film build variation - Maintain equipment cleanliness, calibration checks, and general organization of the Powder Applications Lab - Follow established safety procedures, PPE requirements, and chemical handling guidelines - Support updates to lab procedures, test methods, and work instructions Required Qualifications: - Must be legally authorized to work in the country for which you are applying for employment (without now or in the future needing sponsorship for employment work visa and/or permanent residence status) - Bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math field - Must be at least 18 years of age Preferred Qualifications: - Experience with coatings, polymers, or materials testing - Exposure to powder coating processes, application equipment, or test methods - Basic understanding of industrial finishing lines and powder cure profiles - Familiarity with root cause analysis or basic statistical tools (DOE, 5 Whys, etc.) Required Skills: Powder coating processes, Materials testing Important Skills: Industrial finishing lines, Root cause analysis Benefits: A wide range of world-class benefits designed for you, From retirement to health care, from total well-being to your daily commute