Director Of Process Gas Technology at Air Products and Chemicals in Allentown, PA

Job Description and Qualifications

The Director of Process Gases Technology provides broad leadership and strategic direction in the identification and development of technology solutions, intellectual assets, technical risk management, and competitive awareness for the Process Gases businesses.

With reports in Shanghai, Allentown, and Hersham (UK), this global position reports to the Executive Director of Global Gases Technology and works closely with the Director of the Process Gases Product Line and other leaders in the Businesses, Operations, Marketing, Legal, the Technology Review Board, and other functions to ensure the on-going alignment of business and technology goals.

The Director of Process Gases Technology supports the growth and EBITDA targets of the company by driving new technologies and approaches to improve product competitiveness and productivity programs that support and improve our existing fleet. The Director of Process Gases Technology is responsible for leading a more collaborative approach to bids and projects in conjunction with the Process Gases Product Line, safely stewarding laboratory capabilities and a pilot plant, and integrating technical risk management into Process Gases Technology This position will also be instrumental in driving a culture change toward successful project management of Technology projects.

The Director of Process Gases Technology provides broad leadership and strategic direction in the identification and development of technology solutions, intellectual assets, technical risk management, and competitive awareness for the Process Gases businesses.

With reports in Shanghai, Allentown, and Hersham (UK), this global position reports to the Executive Director of Global Gases Technology and works closely with the Director of the Process Gases Product Line and other leaders in the Businesses, Operations, Marketing, Legal, the Technology Review Board, and other functions to ensure the on-going alignment of business and technology goals.

The Director of Process Gases Technology supports the growth and EBITDA targets of the company by driving new technologies and approaches to improve product competitiveness and productivity programs that support and improve our existing fleet. The Director of Process Gases Technology is responsible for leading a more collaborative approach to bids and projects in conjunction with the Process Gases Product Line, safely stewarding laboratory capabilities and a pilot plant, and integrating technical risk management into Process Gases Technology This position will also be instrumental in driving a culture change toward successful project management of Technology projects.

Principal Accountabilities:

• The Director of Process Gases Technology will lead a team of 32 engineers, scientists, and technicians with 6 direct reports
• Responsible for competitiveness of a broad range of technology offerings including Helium, liquid Hydrogen, CO Cold Boxes, steam methane reformers (SMRs), auto thermal reformers (ATRs), Hydrogen pressure swing adsorption (H2 PSAs), electrolysis, Hydrogen for mobility (H2fM), and coal, residue, and natural gas gasification.
• Technical Risk management and engineering standards responsibility for all syngas process technologies (including SMR, ATR, H2 PSA, and gasification) and high temperature mechanical issues.
• Overall management of the global materials engineering team (MET)
• Support for Process Gases plant bids and capital projects
• Laboratory and safety responsibility
• Drive Process Gases plant competitiveness by aligning the Process Gases Technology development portfolio with the strategic needs of our Industrial Gases businesses and the Process Gases Product Line
• Establish technology programs in alignment with Process Gases business and product strategy, implement ODI principles and discipline in technology projects and programs, and drive innovative and “Blue Ocean” technology development in Process Gases.
• Lead, implement, and maintain a Total Safety philosophy in Process Gases Technology laboratories, offices, personnel, and policies.
• Maintain and manage our Technical Risk management and engineering standards responsibility for Process Gases process engineering, mechanical engineering, and design.
• Develop and maintain the H2 PSA adsorption materials development and characterization capability that exists in Allentown.
• Develop and manage the Process Gases patent portfolio in alignment with the business and future direction for new products and markets.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications:

• The preferred candidate must have a high level of academic qualifications, preferably a Ph.D. in the field of Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in technology innovation management with a proven track record managing a portfolio of R&D projects of varying time horizons and complexities including gated projects, fundamentals projects, and plant asset projects across the boundaries of internal organizations and external technology providers and partners.
• Experience in an engineering function and experience managing intellectual assets for a business is needed.
• Demonstrated communication skills across audiences ranging from business to technical are required.
• Knowledge and relevant experience in Process Gases is preferred.
• Experience in the safe management of laboratory personnel and pilot plant facilities.