Title: Scientist / Senior Scientist – Analytical Chemistry
Location: Boulder / Lafayette, CO
Employment Type: Full-Time | Onsite (5 Days/Week)
Level: Scientist / Senior Scientist
Salary: $125,000 – $180,000 annually + Equity

Position Summary

We are seeking a Scientist or Senior Scientist in Analytical Chemistry to support the Metallurgy and Energetics groups through analytical method development, sample analysis, and structure elucidation.

The selected candidate will collaborate with synthetic chemists and process engineers to advance products from laboratory to pilot scale, troubleshoot analytical challenges, and develop validated methods supporting product specifications.

The role covers synthetic organic reaction products and intermediates, extractants and metal-bearing process streams, energetic binders, propellant ingredients, and fuels.

Key Responsibilities

Analytical Method Development & Validation

• Develop, optimize, and validate HPLC and GC methods for diverse sample types.

• Establish analytical methods supporting product characterization and specifications.

• Troubleshoot analytical issues affecting project timelines.

Structure Elucidation & Characterization

• Perform structural characterization of synthetic organic compounds using LC-MS, GC-MS, NMR, and other spectroscopic techniques.

• Interpret complex analytical results to support research and development.

Instrumentation & Laboratory Operations

• Operate, calibrate, troubleshoot, and maintain HPLC, GC, GC-MS, LC-MS, and ICP-MS instrumentation.

• Maintain accurate laboratory records and instrument documentation.

• Source consumables and reference materials.

• Coordinate instrument maintenance and vendor service relationships.

Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare technical reports and analytical summaries.

• Author and review SOPs, test methods, and validation protocols.

• Communicate findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate with synthetic chemists and process engineers.

• Support analytical requirements during laboratory-to-pilot-scale development.

• Manage multiple analytical projects and deadlines.

Required Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related scientific discipline.

• Master's degree or PhD preferred and may offset experience requirements.

Professional Experience

• 2–10 years of hands-on analytical chemistry experience in an R&D or industrial laboratory.

Technical Requirements

• Strong hands-on expertise in HPLC and GC method development, validation, and troubleshooting.

• Experience with LC-MS and/or GC-MS for compound identification and structural confirmation.

• Strong understanding of chromatographic theory and separation science.

• Experience with Agilent chromatography software, including ChemStation, MassHunter, or OpenLab.

• Strong analytical data interpretation and technical writing skills.

• Ability to operate independently and manage multiple projects.

• Experience safely handling hazardous materials, solvents, and potentially reactive compounds.

• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• Gas-phase analysis using GC, including headspace GC or TCD detection.

• Heterogeneous catalyst characterization, including BET surface area, chemisorption, TPR/TPD, and XRD.

• Experience analyzing fuels or petroleum-derived products, including RP-1, jet fuels, or similar hydrocarbon streams.

• Familiarity with Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, UV-Vis, ICP-MS, and flash chromatography.

• Experience supporting metallurgical and energetic materials programs.

• Experience working in an ITAR-controlled environment.

Performance Expectations

Within the First 3 Months

• Ensure core HPLC, GC, and mass spectrometry instrumentation is calibrated, maintained, and operational.

• Establish documented SOPs.

• Set up consumables sourcing and vendor service relationships.

Within 6–12 Months

• Develop and implement validated HPLC and GC methods across the Metallurgy and Energetics programs.

• Maintain validation protocols and analytical reports.

• Integrate structure elucidation and troubleshooting into laboratory-to-pilot-scale workflows.

• Support project timelines through timely analytical results.

Export Control & Regulatory Compliance

Working Conditions

• Location: Boulder / Lafayette, Colorado

• Schedule: Onsite, five days per week

• Occasional off-hours availability for time-sensitive analyses

• Travel typically under 2%

• Laboratory environment involving hazardous chemicals, solvents, and potentially reactive materials

Compensation & Benefits

Annual Base Salary: $125,000 – $180,000, commensurate with experience, plus equity.

• Medical Coverage: Multiple plans, with many options fully covered for employees and dependents.

• 401(k): Employer match up to 4% of eligible compensation.

• Paid Time Off: Vacation, company holidays, and an end-of-year shutdown.

• Equity: Equity commensurate with experience.

About the Organization

The organization is a venture-backed chemical technology company developing critical molecules and manufacturing capabilities for government and industrial applications.

Its chemistry platform focuses on four major areas:

• Ignition Chemicals: Qualified domestic production of critical ignition materials.

• Propellants & Binders: Development of advanced energetic materials, including high-density rocket-grade kerosene.

• Rare-Earth Extractants: Advanced chemistry for selective separation of critical rare-earth elements.

• Insensitive Explosives: Development of energetic materials without toxic intermediates.

The organization has raised $75 million, operates in the United States and Israel, and partners with defense agencies, industrial organizations, and government contractors.

Its approach combines novel chemistry development with manufacturing expansion through licensed facilities and qualified production lines.

 

At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position's pay range is $125,000.00/Yearly – $150,000.00/Yearly.