Company description
química liposoluble ("ql") is a family-owned business that manufactures additives for the lubricant industry. We produce sulfonic acids and sodium, barium, and calcium sulfonates at our manufacturing facility in the state of jalisco, mexico, using a differentiated process using sulfuric acid. We also provide toll manufacturing services and technical assistance in the manufacture of products under customers' specifications, including specialty sulfonates and sulfonate greases.
ql is widely recognized in the lubricants industry, where it has established technical and commercial relationships with some of the major industry participants worldwide. We have earned brand name recognition due to the high quality of our products and comprehensive technical assistance. We export ~80% of our sales volume to the us, europe, and asia.
company was founded in 1984 and today is led by a member of the family's second generation. Under the new leadership, ql is embarking on an aggressive growth strategy that seeks to materially expand our product portfolio and find new applications for our sulfonate chemistry. The company is also engaged in the optimization of its manufacturing process as part of its commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
role description
ql has been selling sulfonate additives globally for more than 40 years. Our portfolio of sulfonic acids and metal sulfonates are widely recognized for their superior performance, consistent quality, and high purity. They are successfully used in a variety of end-uses, including as grease thickeners and anti-corrosion additives in coatings, metal working fluids, and industrial lubricants. The outstanding performance of our products is the result of a proprietary manufacturing process, which relies on highly controlled sulfonation and overbasing reactions.
our r&d program seeks to diversify our business by developing new sulfonate- or sulfonic acid-based products, identifying new applications for our core chemistry and developing variants for our existing product line. We also seek to optimize our manufacturing process by continuously evaluating new raw materials and identifying opportunities to improve yield, lower energy consumption, automatize operations and lower waste disposal and other operating costs. The r&d chemist / chemical engineer will take a critical role in the r&d program and be responsible for delivering continuous innovation.
key responsibilities include:
* fundamental research into the key chemical processes in our manufacturing and our products' applications
* research key technological trends affecting our core markets
* development of new sulfonate and sulfonic acid products and existing product variants, in collaboration with ql's commercial and manufacturing teams
* evaluation of raw material alternatives
* technical development of new toll manufacturing projects
* optimization of ql's existing manufacturing processes, including improvements to ql's core reaction and separation operations, energy use, and waste management
* provide technical assistance to customers
* provide technical input in the development of ql's commercial strategy
* conduct proprietary research to support ql's marketing efforts, for publication at industry conferences and to reinforce ql's market status as a technical leader
qualifications
* bachelor's degree in chemistry or chemical engineering from a renowned university
* preferred master's or doctorate degree in chemistry or chemical engineering with a research focus on organic chemistry, petrochemical synthesis, reaction engineering, lubricant or grease formulation, or related field
* 0 to 10 years of professional experience; preferred experience in lubricant or petrochemical manufacturing, and research and development
* professional proficiency in spanish and english languages
other conditions
* role is located at our manufacturing plant in poncitlán, jalisco, mexico; opportunity to reside in nearby cities or towns
* company-provided housing and vehicle may be offered, depending on qualifications
* travel required to industry conferences and onsite client meetings in the us, europe, and asia
* customary benefits package and compensation comprised of a base salary and bonus