R/D Engineer

PPG; Grand Prairie (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Paid vacation and holidays

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Disability/Leave

Family leave

Job summary

PPG is seeking a Research and Development Engineer to lead scientific research and development for Aerospace Transparencies, Specialty & Transparent Armor at our Grand Prairie, TX site. You will guide inorganic coating technologies for commercial and defense aerospace applications and collaborate across teams with a focus on innovation and patentable outcomes.

The role emphasizes new program initiation, testing, and transitioning materials from development to production, with a strong quality

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in physics, materials science, engineering or related field.
• 1+ year of related job experience in the field.
• Eligible to obtain a government secret clearance.
• U.S. citizens, Green Card holders, or eligible asylees/refugees.

Responsibilities

• Develop new materials or substitute materials and new processes for transparency manufacturing.
• Stay current on developments in relevant scientific fields.
• Analyze materials and processes for product problems and failures.
• Coordinate implementation of new materials from development to manufacturing.
• Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot lab equipment and processes.
• Ensure documentation and data accuracy; maintain lab notebooks and test records.
• Write procedures/reports and input data into databases/SharePoint.

Skills

Thin film coatings

Vacuum coatings

Materials characterization

Lab safety 6S

Education

Master's degree in science in physics, materials science, and engineering or related field

Tools

SEM

FTIR

Spectrophotometer

Profilometer

Job description

PPG is hiring a Research and Development Engineer to lead scientific research and development to support PPG's Aerospace Transparencies, Specialty & Transparent Armor.

You will guide the investigation and application of advanced inorganic coating technologies for commercial and defense-related aerospace applications, while identifying opportunities for innovation, competitive advantage, and patentable inventions. You will be an important technical contributor in developing next-generation technologies. You will initiate new research programs and collaborate with teams. These teams will provide solutions for internal and external customers, including government agencies and research partners. This onsite role will sit in our Grand Prairie, TX site and will report to an Associate Fellow.

Main Responsibilities

• Help develop new materials, or substitute materials, and new processes for use in transparency manufacturing and operations
• Remain current on new developments in the appropriate scientific fields
• Analyze materials and processes (if appropriate) regarding product problems and failures
• Coordinate implementation of new materials from development into manufacturing
• Initiate material and application process specifications
• Maintenance, calibration, and repair coordinator production support such as trouble shooting of issues encountered in manufacturing for metallic coatings
• Support in the development of product to meet industrial standards, specifications, and other customer requirements
• Evaluate new processes and products in conformance with engineering specifications.
• Address problems with the use of chemistry, instrumentation, and interpret data to management
• Perform quality control testing following established company specifications and ASTM procedures and other accepted methods
• Follow standard operating procedures of lab functions and equipment
• Maintain sensitive technical equipment per written standards and procedures with excellent laboratory practices
• Ensure documentation and data accuracy; maintain a system of quality documents, and records
• Write procedures/reports, input data into computer database/SharePoint, maintain a laboratory notebook, and produce test records
• Help with Research, Quality, and Manufacturing support departments
• Work in a laboratory environment while following all applicable EH&S guidelines
• Perform 5S cleaning and housekeeping responsibilities
• Render technical assistance to internal and external customers

Qualifications

• We require a master's degree in science in physics, materials science, and engineering or related field
• 1+ year of related job experience in the field
• Must be eligible to obtain a government secret clearance.
• Only U.S. Citizens, Green Card holders, and political asylees or refugees are eligible to apply.

A stand out candidate will have any of the following

• Knowledge in thin film coatings of different conductive materials
• Knowledge of vacuum coatings, chamber components and PLC
• Experience in materials characterization tools such as SEM, FTIR, Spectrophotometer and profilometer
• Experience maintaining safety in the lab environment and acquainted with 6S process throughout the factory
• Work with program managers, L&D engineers and design engineers

PPG offers comprehensive benefits such as Health, Dental, Life, Retirement Plan, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Disability/Leave, Family Leave, and other Voluntary benefit offerings. Actual benefit offerings confirmed at the time of hire.

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 and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.

Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.

PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.