Description

Associate Technology Director – Aerospace Coatings

PPG Industries

Burbank California

Company Overview

PPG is a global leader in paints, coatings, and specialty materials, committed to innovation, sustainability, and delivering high-performance solutions to customers across industries. Our Aerospace Business Unit focuses on providing advanced coatings for commercial and defense applications, ensuring durability, aesthetics, and compliance with industry standards.

The Associate Technology Director – Aerospace Coatings will lead a dynamic team of 15-35 professionals, including 15 direct reports (2 managers, comprising PhDs, MS, BS degree holders, and technicians), to drive innovation and manage the project portfolio for aerospace coatings, including decorative topcoats and specialized products for classified defense projects. This managerial role supports PPG’s mission to deliver innovative, sustainable, and high-performance products for commercial, general, and military aerospace customers, such as base and clear coats, leveraging advancements in color technology and pigments, and stealth technology. The director will address regulatory challenges (e.g., PFAS discontinuation) and foster a skilled, innovative team to enhance PPG’s reputation as a trusted partner for Aerospace OEM, and defense clients, ultimately growing revenue for the coatings business. This role impacts R&D, product management, marketing, and manufacturing, driving innovation and customer engagement to increase market share in the aerospace coatings segment.

Key Responsibilities

Team Management and Employee Development: Oversee daily activities of a team of 15-35, including 15 direct reports (2 managers), fostering professional growth, succession planning and recruiting, and implementing retention strategies. Innovation and Portfolio Management: Manage the innovation pipeline and project portfolio, prioritizing initiatives that align with market needs and PPG’s strategic goals. Collaborate with the cross-functional aerospace team to outline a 5-year portfolio strategy, identifying technology gaps. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with marketing, sales, and manufacturing to ensure the optimal product mix, addressing reformulation needs due to raw material discontinuations (e.g., PFAS). Build relationships within the Aerospace Business Unit within 30 days to support collaboration. IP Strategy Development: Ensure a robust intellectual property strategy to protect innovations in color technology, pigments, and coating methods, safeguarding PPG’s competitive edge. Customer Engagement and Revenue Growth: Interact with customers to support growth, gather insights, and drive innovation in aerospace coatings, strengthening relationships with key clients to increase market share. Establish a hiring plan for technology and leadership roles to align with PPG’s growth objectives over the next 3-5 years.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in a technical field (e.g., Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related disciplines).
Proven track record of success in coatings innovation, regardless of degree level.
Industry Experience: Minimum 10 years in the coatings industry, with hands-on experience starting in a lab as an individual contributor.
Functional Expertise: Proven track record of innovation and team management, with at least 5 years of team leadership experience
Specific Skills:
- Strong technical background in coatings technology, with the ability to make informed decisions about technology investments and their potential value.
- Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work across functions (e.g., marketing, sales, manufacturing).
- High emotional intelligence (EQ) and people management skills to motivate and manage a diverse team, from new hires to veteran employees.
- Strong business acumen and ability to utilize business and market data to influence business and technical counterparts.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in aerospace coatings or related industries.
- Background in managing regulatory-driven reformulations (e.g., PFAS or similar raw material discontinuations).
- Prior experience leading cross-functional teams in a matrix organization.
Key Competencies
- Leadership: Ability to inspire, develop, and retain a high-performing team
- Innovation: Track record of driving technical advancements in coatings, color technology, or pigments.
- Problem-Solving: Strategic thinking to address complex and constrained technical, formulation, and organizational challenges.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills to collaborate with internal teams and external customers.
- Collaboration: Ability to work effectively across functions and maintain constructive relationships.

Salary Range 150-220k

About us:

Here at PPG we make it happen, and we seek candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our values, with the commitment and drive to strive today to do better than yesterday – everyday.

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 Twitter.

The PPG Way

Every single day at PPG:

We partner with customers to create mutual value.

We are “One PPG” to the world.

We trust our people every day, in every way.

We make it happen.

We run it like we own it.

We do better today than yesterday – everyday.

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 assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email recruiting@ppg.com.

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.

Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.

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.

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 Twitter.

The PPG Way

Every single day at PPG:

We partner with customers to create mutual value.

We are “One PPG” to the world.

We trust our people every day, in every way.

We make it happen.

We run it like we own it.

We do better today than yesterday – everyday.

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, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. If you need assistance to complete your application due to a disability, please email recruiting@ppg.com.