Global Adhesive Engineering & Digital Transformation Leader (m/f/d)

DuPont Group; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

DuPont seeks a Global Adhesive Engineering & Digital Transformation Leader to define and execute the engineering strategy for automotive and advanced mobility structural adhesives. You will lead the global engineering organization from Auburn Hills, MI, driving digital transformation with AI/ML and predictive CAE capabilities across multiple regions.

The role requires 15+ years in structural adhesives or automotive materials, with proven leadership of global technical teams and extensive OEM

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Materials Science, or related field; MS with significant industry experience considered.
• 15+ years in structural adhesives, polymers, or automotive materials.
• Experience leading global technical teams.
• Expertise in CAE/FEA, material modeling, mechanical testing, and durability characterization.
• Experience working with automotive OEMs in senior technical or customer-facing leadership.
• Experience leading large-scale digital, engineering, or data-driven transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Define engineering strategy for automotive structural adhesives portfolio and lead global technical authority.
• Direct CAE and simulation capabilities, establish testing methods and qualification processes.
• Lead digital transformation for engineering with AI/ML and data-driven decision making.
• Develop and supervise a high-performing global engineering team across regions.
• Engage with automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers on validation and product adoption.
• Deliver measurable business value through accelerated development and revenue growth.

Skills

CAE/FEA

Material modeling

Mechanical testing

Durability characterization

Global leadership

Automotive materials

AI/ML in engineering

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CAE/FEA software

Material modeling tools

Data platforms

Job description

At DuPont, our purpose is to empower the world with essential innovations to thrive. We work on things that matter. Whether it’s providing clean water to more than a billion people on the planet, producing materials that are essential in everyday technology devices from smartphones to electric vehicles, or protecting workers around the world. Discover the many reasons the world’s most talented people are choosing to work at DuPont. Why Join Us | DuPont Careers DuPont is seeking a Global Adhesive Engineering & Digital Transformation Leader to define and execute the engineering strategy for our automotive and advanced mobility structural adhesives portfolio, including BETATECH™, BETAMATE™, BETAFORCE™, and BETASEAL™ technologies. This senior leadership role combines deep expertise in structural adhesives, vehicle engineering, and simulation with global team leadership and customer-facing technical influence. The successful candidate will lead DuPont's global engineering organization while driving a multi-year digital transformation strategy that leverages advanced modeling, AI/ML, and data-driven engineering capabilities to accelerate innovation, strengthen customer partnerships, and create competitive advantage. The role also provides leadership for DuPont's global Engineering Center of Excellence in Auburn Hills, Michigan, while developing the next generation of technical talent and ensuring long-term organizational continuity.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical & Engineering Leadership Serve as the global technical authority for structural adhesives, vehicle body structures, crashworthiness, lightweighting, joint durability, and NVH performance. Lead engineering strategy and technology development across DuPont's automotive structural adhesives portfolio, ensuring solutions meet component, subsystem, and vehicle-level performance requirements.
• Direct advanced CAE and simulation capabilities, including material model development, verification, validation, and performance prediction. Establish and standardize mechanical and thermal characterization methods to support product development, customer validation, and engineering excellence globally. Drive differentiated engineering capabilities that strengthen DuPont's competitive position and support customer adoption.
• Digital Transformation Leadership Own the business strategy and roadmap for engineering digital transformation, advancing the use of AI/ML, physics-based modeling, and closed-loop CAE capabilities. Lead cross-functional collaboration with Digital R&D, Corporate IT, and engineering teams to deliver scalable digital solutions that enable data-driven decision making. Establish governance, standards, KPIs, and data management practices that support predictive engineering and long-term platform sustainability. Champion digital innovation, ensuring appropriate resources, infrastructure, and organizational alignment to achieve program objectives. Partner with Finance, Legal, and IT to deliver measurable business outcomes while protecting intellectual property, data integrity, and regulatory compliance.
• Global People Leadership Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing global engineering team across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions. Establish clear objectives, development plans, and succession strategies that strengthen organizational capability and technical expertise. Build digital and data-driven competencies across the engineering organization. Foster collaboration through common standards, processes, and operating models across global teams.
• Customer & Industry Leadership Serve as a trusted technical partner to leading global automotive OEMs and Tier suppliers. Lead technical engagement efforts supporting vehicle body structures, structural bonding, glazing, battery assembly, lightweighting, and advanced mobility applications. Guide customer validation, CAE collaboration, and product approval activities that accelerate commercialization and platform adoption. Represent DuPont externally through industry engagement, technical leadership, and customer-facing innovation initiatives.
• Business Impact Deliver measurable business value through accelerated development timelines, improved engineering efficiency, revenue growth, and customer retention. Lead strategic investment planning for the global Engineering Center of Excellence, including testing infrastructure and capability expansion. Identify and develop new engineering and digital opportunities that support long-term business growth and technology leadership.

Qualifications

• Required Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline; candidates with an M.S. degree and significant relevant industry experience will be considered.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in structural adhesives, polymers, or automotive materials.
• Demonstrated experience leading global technical teams.
• Demonstrated expertise in CAE/FEA, material modeling, mechanical testing, and durability characterization.
• Proven success leading global technical organizations and developing high-performing engineering teams.
• Experience working directly with automotive OEMs in a senior technical or customer-facing leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale digital, engineering, or data-driven transformation initiatives through cross-functional teams.
• Professional visibility through industry organizations, technical publications, patents, or conference presentations.

Preferred

• Expertise in crashworthiness, lightweighting, vehicle body structures, and the mechanics of durability, fatigue and fracture performance.
• Experience applying AI/ML, physics-based modeling, or data-driven engineering approaches to product development.
• Knowledge of engineering data platforms, materials informatics, and structured data governance.
• Six Sigma Black Belt, Design of Experiments (DOE), or equivalent process-improvement certification.
• Experience supporting EV battery assembly, structural bonding, and next-generation mobility applications.

DuPont is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to search or apply for a position, please visit our Accessibility Page for Contact Information.

DuPont offers a comprehensive pay and benefits package. To learn more visit the Compensation and Benefits page.

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DuPont is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to search or apply for a position, please visit our Accessibility Page for Contact Information.