R&D Research Engineer

ppg; Huntsville (TN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plan

Paid vacation

Job summary

PPG Aerospace is seeking an Research and Development Engineer in Huntsville, AL to lead advanced programs in transparency, specialty materials, and armor technologies. You will apply inorganic coating methods, drive product development, and deliver production-ready solutions with cross-functional teams and external partners.

You will translate research concepts into scalable technologies while guiding safety, quality, and process improvements across Science, Engineering, and Manufacturing

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or Master’s with relevant industry/research experience required.
• Knowledge of thin film coatings and vacuum coating processes.
• Experience with materials characterization tools and lab safety.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of new materials and processes for transparency manufacturing.
• Collaborate with Science, Engineering and Manufacturing teams; translate concepts to production-ready tech.
• Analyze materials, evaluate processes, and implement improvements per specs and ASTM standards.
• Coordinate transfer of new materials from development into manufacturing.
• Support testing, documentation, and data management; ensure EH&S compliance.
• Provide technical leadership on complex projects and 5S/lab discipline.

Skills

Thin film coatings

Vacuum coatings

Materials characterization

Python

Lab safety & 6S

Education

Ph.D. in Physics, Materials Science, Eng.

Master's in Physics, Materials Science, or Eng.

Tools

SEM

FTIR

Profilometer

Spectrophotometer

PLC

Job description

The Research and Development Engineer will lead the development of advanced research programs supporting PPG Aerospace Transparencies, Specialty Products, and Transparent Armor technologies. You will investigate and apply inorganic coating technologies, driving product development, and developing patentable solutions that create competitive advantages. You will work with Science & Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing teams, you will translate research concepts into production-ready technologies while providing technical leadership for complex projects and growth projects. You will include collaboration with customers, government agencies, and research partners, and technical communications, product development reviews, and continuous improvement efforts related to safety and quality. You will help grow next-generation aerospace technologies and delivering new solutions to the industry.

You will sit at our Huntsville, AL site and will report to an Associate Fellow.

#LI-Onsite

Main Responsibilities

• Responsible is assisting in the development of 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 American Society for Testing and Materials 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 create test records.
• Help with Research, Quality, and Manufacturing support responsibilities.
• Work in a laboratory environment while following all applicable EH&S guidelines.
• Perform 5S cleaning and housekeeping tasks.
• Render technical assistance to internal and external Customers.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related field desirable OR
• You will have a Master's degree in Physics, Materials Science, or Engineering and 1+ years of relevant industry or research experience required
• Knowledge in thin film coatings of different conductive materials
• Knowledge of vacuum coatings, chamber components and Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
• Experience in materials characterization tools such as SEM, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Spectrophotometer and profilometer
• Familiarity with Python and Office Suite
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

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

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We act with purpose and speed

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We are excellent operators

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