Fireproofing Application Specialist

PPG; Springdale (PA); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel 15-20%

401K

Medical Dental Vision

Family Leave

Paid Time Off

Job summary

PPG is seeking an experienced Passive Fire Protection (PFP) Application Specialist in Springdale, PA to bridge R&D and field performance. You will test pre-production PFP coatings, push them to the limit in high‑temp ovens, and deliver precise feedback to refine life‑saving formulations while supporting third‑party certification.

This hands‑on role requires meticulous documentation, strong customer‑facing skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships with R&D, production, test

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience in application and testing of coatings.
• Proven expertise in spray/trowel systems, pumps, surface prep, and curing.
• Ability to produce audit-ready fire-test documentation under deadlines.
• Experience coordinating with third-party testing bodies.
• Willingness to wear Tyvek PPE and operate high-temp ovens.

Responsibilities

• Bridge R&D and reality: design and execute exhaustive PFP trial tests and document results.
• Lead third-party fire testing coordination with global institutes and ensure comprehensive documentation for certifications.
• Own fire-testing milestones and oversee production runs and in-house spray-outs.
• Generate detailed PFP trial reports and maintain CRM records and compliance data.

Skills

Coating application

Testing experience

Spray/trowel systems

PFP expertise

Customer-facing

Tools

Pumps

Plurals-component spray equipment

Surface prep

Job description

Location: Springdale, PA

Join PPG's elite Passive Fire Protection (PFP) Application Specialist team—the critical bridge between R&D innovation and real-world performance. As our “first customer,” you will rigorously test pre-production PFP coatings like PPG PITT-CHAR® NX and STEELGUARD®, push them to their limits in high-temp ovens, and deliver precise feedback to refine life‑saving formulations. You will then lead global third‑party certification, ensuring flawless execution of fire‑test protocols. This hands‑on, high‑impact role demands PFP mastery, meticulous documentation, a strong customer‑facing attitude, and proven interpersonal skills to build trusted relationships with R&D, production, third‑party institutes, and external stakeholders worldwide.

Join PPG's elite Passive Fire Protection (PFP) Application Specialist team—the critical bridge between R&D innovation and real‑world performance. As our “first customer,” you will rigorously test pre-production PFP coatings like PPG PITT-CHAR® NX and STEELGUARD®, push them to their limits in high-temp ovens, and deliver precise feedback to refine life‑saving formulations. You will then lead global third‑party certification, ensuring flawless execution of fire‑test protocols. This hands‑on, high‑impact role demands PFP mastery, meticulous documentation, a strong customer‑facing attitude, and proven interpersonal skills to build trusted relationships with R&D, production, third‑party institutes, and external stakeholders worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Bridge R&D and Reality: Receive first‑batch PFP materials; design and execute exhaustive application trials (spray, trowel, curing) to stress‑test char expansion, adhesion, and fire resistance. Document failure points and collaborate with R&D for rapid adjustments.
• Third‑Party Fire Testing Leadership: Coordinate with global institutes (England, Saudi Arabia, Peru, etc.) to align UL 1709, EN 13381, ISO 834 fire‑test protocols, deadlines, and deliverables. Supply exhaustive documentation—never “too much information”—to secure PFP certifications.
• Deadline‑Driven Execution: Own immovable fire‑testing milestones. Witness production runs, oversee in‑house PFP spray‑outs in high‑temp furnaces, and ensure every detail is captured for regulatory records.
• Hands‑On PFP Application (25% of role): Perform daily PFP spray‑outs and intumescent testing at PPG facilities or third‑party sites while wearing full Tyvek PPE. Operate pumps, plural‑component systems, and high‑temp test ovens for PFP validation.
• Bespoke R&D Support: Fulfill custom PFP requests, including in‑house furnace testing.
• Global Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong customer‑facing relationships through face‑to‑face interactions with fire‑testing institutes, production teams, and stakeholders. Conduct virtual and in‑person meetings to keep PFP projects on track.
• Administrative Excellence (80% when not traveling): Generate detailed PFP trial reports, CRM updates, fire‑test data packages, and compliance documentation.

Qualifications

• No degree required.
• Hands‑on experience in application and testing of coatings
• Proven expertise in spray/trowel systems, pumps, surface prep, and curing; comfort pushing performance to failure in high‑temp ovens.
• Meticulous attention to detail—capable of producing exhaustive, audit‑ready fire‑test documentation under tight deadlines.
• Strong customer‑facing attitude and experience—professional, proactive communicator who excels in face‑to‑face technical discussions with clients, fire engineers, certifiers, and third‑party partners.
• Experience coordinating with third‑party testing bodies
• Willingness to wear full Tyvek PPE and work with high‑temp ovens and hazardous materials.

Travel Expectations

• 15–20% annual travel

Preferred Skills

• Hands‑on experience in application and fire‑testing of Passive Fire Protection (PFP) coatings
• Proven expertise in PFP spray/trowel systems, pumps, surface prep, and curing; comfort pushing char performance to failure in high‑temp ovens.
• Proven expertise in PFP spray/trowel systems, pumps, surface prep, and curing; comfort pushing char performance to failure in high‑temp ovens.
• Pump and plural‑component spray equipment expertise for thick‑film PFP.
• Certification in PFP application (NACE/SSPC, FROSIO, ICorr) or fire testing standards.
• Familiarity with furnace‑based PFP testing, hydrocarbon fire curves, or wind blade fire protection.
• Multilingual (Spanish/Portuguese a plus for South America).

• Salary Range: 80,000 - 120,000 annually; plus annual incentive bonus
• with Travel
• 401K
• Medical Dental Vision
• Family Leave
• Paid Time Off

How we work

At PPG, we bring teams together to accelerate collaboration and career development, with in‑person work Monday through Thursday and the opportunity to work remotely on Flexible Fridays. Schedules may vary by location.

About Us

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD®

Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X.

The PPG Way 2030

We are customer champions

Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow.

We act with purpose and speed

Agile. Data‑driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.

We are excellent operators

Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers.

We compete to win

Future‑focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths.

We are PPG proud

Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world.

At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.

PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email [e-mail].

PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience, training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other