Niagara Bottling, LLC
Staff Research Scientist
Niagara Bottling, LLC, Diamond Bar, California, United States, 91765
At Niagara, we're looking for Team Members who want to be part of achieving our mission to provide our customers the highest quality most affordable bottled water.
Consider applying here, if you want to:
to: Work in an entrepreneurial and dynamic environment with a chance to make an impact.
Develop lasting relationships with great people.
Have the opportunity to build a satisfying career.
We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages for our Team Members.
Staff Research Scientist
As a Staff Research Scientist at Niagara Bottling, you will do more than lead experimental work—you will shape the future of packaging, materials, and processing innovation at scale. You will serve as a technical leader and strategic thought partner, bridging science and manufacturing to deliver consumer impact through sustainable and high-performance solutions. Essential Functions
Formulates strategy for R&D growth. Designs and implements new R&D projects in materials, design, or process. Leads scientific team and allocates resources effectively to ensure project completion in a timely fashion. Initiates, develops, and maintains relationships with suppliers and other external collaborators. Design and implement Research and Development (R&D) projects including formulation and testing of new resin blends, validation of new resin suppliers, resin-specific process optimization, development of new laboratory testing procedures, and other intellectual property activities. Partner with plant operations, process engineering, and quality teams to plan, execute, and analyze new resin and equipment validation trials at various Niagara manufacturing locations. Provide technical feedback and troubleshooting in real time to adapt trial parameters and ensure alignment with product performance goals and sustainability targets. Apply advanced modeling techniques to understand and predict the behavior of chemical and mechanical systems used in packaging and manufacturing processes. Analyze real-world data to validate model predictions, identify performance trends, and troubleshoot failures. Support material selection and process optimization by correlating mechanical stress, thermal behavior, and chemical interactions in both experimental and simulated environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (R&D, manufacturing, and quality) to integrate modeling insights and communicate research results into scalable and cost-effective solutions. Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice. Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: 6 years of experience in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field, testing, modeling and processing. Experience in a position such as Research laboratory assistant, post-doctoral scholar (6 years). Experience working with graduate researchers, interns or lab assistants (4 years). *experience may include a combination of work experience and education Preferred Qualifications: 10+ years of experience in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field, testing, modeling and processing. 10+ years of experience in a position such as Research laboratory assistant, post-doctoral scholar. 6 years of experience working with graduate researchers, interns or lab assistants. *experience may include a combination of work experience and education Competencies
Proficiency in, but not limited to: Advanced data analysis and simulation capabilities Publication quality communication skills (documents and presentations) Proven experience with analytical laboratory equipment such as Material Strength Testers, Rheometers, DSC, IV testers, FTIR, XRD, finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, and thermodynamic simulations Skills with lab data management or automation software such as LabVIEW, Matlab, Python Microsoft Office Products Problem Solving - identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully Detail oriented and accurate - minimizes mistakes, follows every step in a process and follows through with all tasks Oral Communication - speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; demonstrates presentation skills Written Communication - writes clearly and informatively; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information Beneficial, but not required: Injection molding or blow molding experience Lifting Requirements
40 lbs. For example, must be physically capable to change injection molds and resin in lab or production equipment Physical Demands
Travel up to 15%. Some work in hot, cold, or confined production environments Must be able to operate tools used when changing molds and operating R&D equipment This position embodies the values of Niagara's LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success: Lead Like an Owner
Makes safety the number one priority Keeps alert for safety issues and escalates immediately Effectively prioritizes tasks based on department goals Shows respect to others and confronts interpersonal issues directly Prioritizes resolution of customer issues effectively Responds promptly and honors commitments to internal and external customers
InnovACT
Makes recommendations to continuously improve policies, methods, procedures, and/or products Demonstrates adaptability by reacting appropriately to unexpected changes in situations or circumstances Increases performance through greater efficiency
Find a Way
Seeks to develop technical knowledge through learning from other experts Understands interdepartmental impact of individual decisions and actions Seeks solutions rather than placing blame
Empowered to be Great
Consistently looks for ways to improve one's self through growth and development opportunities Communicates clearly and promptly up, down, and across Communicates effectively to manage expectations
Education Preferred: Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience. Materials Science and Engineering exposure. Polymer processing or science and Packaging training. Foreign Language Required: None Required Preferred: Minimum Professional Proficiency, Spanish Typical Compensation Range Pay Rate Type: Salary, $117,858.39 - $167,948.22 / Year Bonus Target: 10% Annual Benefits Benefits information: https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits Los Angeles County applicants only
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable local and state laws. Employment agency notice
This description does not constitute a contract of employment and Niagara Bottling, LLC reserves the right to modify or change duties, responsibilities, and hours at any time. Niagara Plant Name : CORP-MAIN
#J-18808-Ljbffr
As a Staff Research Scientist at Niagara Bottling, you will do more than lead experimental work—you will shape the future of packaging, materials, and processing innovation at scale. You will serve as a technical leader and strategic thought partner, bridging science and manufacturing to deliver consumer impact through sustainable and high-performance solutions. Essential Functions
Formulates strategy for R&D growth. Designs and implements new R&D projects in materials, design, or process. Leads scientific team and allocates resources effectively to ensure project completion in a timely fashion. Initiates, develops, and maintains relationships with suppliers and other external collaborators. Design and implement Research and Development (R&D) projects including formulation and testing of new resin blends, validation of new resin suppliers, resin-specific process optimization, development of new laboratory testing procedures, and other intellectual property activities. Partner with plant operations, process engineering, and quality teams to plan, execute, and analyze new resin and equipment validation trials at various Niagara manufacturing locations. Provide technical feedback and troubleshooting in real time to adapt trial parameters and ensure alignment with product performance goals and sustainability targets. Apply advanced modeling techniques to understand and predict the behavior of chemical and mechanical systems used in packaging and manufacturing processes. Analyze real-world data to validate model predictions, identify performance trends, and troubleshoot failures. Support material selection and process optimization by correlating mechanical stress, thermal behavior, and chemical interactions in both experimental and simulated environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams (R&D, manufacturing, and quality) to integrate modeling insights and communicate research results into scalable and cost-effective solutions. Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without prior notice. Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications: 6 years of experience in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field, testing, modeling and processing. Experience in a position such as Research laboratory assistant, post-doctoral scholar (6 years). Experience working with graduate researchers, interns or lab assistants (4 years). *experience may include a combination of work experience and education Preferred Qualifications: 10+ years of experience in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field, testing, modeling and processing. 10+ years of experience in a position such as Research laboratory assistant, post-doctoral scholar. 6 years of experience working with graduate researchers, interns or lab assistants. *experience may include a combination of work experience and education Competencies
Proficiency in, but not limited to: Advanced data analysis and simulation capabilities Publication quality communication skills (documents and presentations) Proven experience with analytical laboratory equipment such as Material Strength Testers, Rheometers, DSC, IV testers, FTIR, XRD, finite element analysis, computational fluid dynamics, and thermodynamic simulations Skills with lab data management or automation software such as LabVIEW, Matlab, Python Microsoft Office Products Problem Solving - identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully Detail oriented and accurate - minimizes mistakes, follows every step in a process and follows through with all tasks Oral Communication - speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; demonstrates presentation skills Written Communication - writes clearly and informatively; presents numerical data effectively; able to read and interpret written information Beneficial, but not required: Injection molding or blow molding experience Lifting Requirements
40 lbs. For example, must be physically capable to change injection molds and resin in lab or production equipment Physical Demands
Travel up to 15%. Some work in hot, cold, or confined production environments Must be able to operate tools used when changing molds and operating R&D equipment This position embodies the values of Niagara's LIFE competency model, focusing on the following key drivers of success: Lead Like an Owner
Makes safety the number one priority Keeps alert for safety issues and escalates immediately Effectively prioritizes tasks based on department goals Shows respect to others and confronts interpersonal issues directly Prioritizes resolution of customer issues effectively Responds promptly and honors commitments to internal and external customers
InnovACT
Makes recommendations to continuously improve policies, methods, procedures, and/or products Demonstrates adaptability by reacting appropriately to unexpected changes in situations or circumstances Increases performance through greater efficiency
Find a Way
Seeks to develop technical knowledge through learning from other experts Understands interdepartmental impact of individual decisions and actions Seeks solutions rather than placing blame
Empowered to be Great
Consistently looks for ways to improve one's self through growth and development opportunities Communicates clearly and promptly up, down, and across Communicates effectively to manage expectations
Education Preferred: Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience. Materials Science and Engineering exposure. Polymer processing or science and Packaging training. Foreign Language Required: None Required Preferred: Minimum Professional Proficiency, Spanish Typical Compensation Range Pay Rate Type: Salary, $117,858.39 - $167,948.22 / Year Bonus Target: 10% Annual Benefits Benefits information: https://careers.niagarawater.com/us/en/benefits Los Angeles County applicants only
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the California Fair Chance Act, and any other applicable local and state laws. Employment agency notice
This description does not constitute a contract of employment and Niagara Bottling, LLC reserves the right to modify or change duties, responsibilities, and hours at any time. Niagara Plant Name : CORP-MAIN
#J-18808-Ljbffr