PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Global Technology Scientist - Strategic Innovation is part of the Global Strategic Innovation team within the Nonwovens Science & Technology organization. This role delivers early-stage concept development, experimentation, and technical learning for next-generation nonwoven technologies that support global innovation strategy and new business development.
This position plays a key role in identifying and validating new market opportunities, developing prototypes and novel material solutions, and enabling science-based insights that clarify where nonwovens can create new value. The role requires strong product development expertise, technical curiosity, disciplined experimentation, and the ability to integrate market and technology understanding into actionable innovation pathways.
Reports to: Global Strategic Innovation Leader
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Commitment to Safety
- Demonstrates that all accidents are preventable and safety is a shared responsibility.
- Identifies and mitigates potential hazards through Design Hazard Eliminations (DHEs).
- Ensures full compliance with Owens Corning safety standards, policies, and procedures.
- Actively participates in safety reviews, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.
New Technology Development
- Conceives, develops, and validates novel nonwoven material, binder, coating, or composite technologies aligned with global innovation priorities.
- Designs and executes hypothesis-based learning plans using disciplined experimentation and technical curiosity.
- Develops new test methods, mimics, prototypes, and characterization techniques to accelerate learning cycles.
- Documents technical findings in clear, concise technical reports, invention disclosures, and knowledge-sharing forums.
New Business Development & Market Exploration
- Partners with Strategic Marketing and New Business Development to identify unmet needs, whitespace opportunities, and new application spaces.
- Conducts early-stage market and technology feasibility assessments to determine where nonwovens can create differentiated value.
- Translates insights into concepts, prototypes, and technical demonstrations that support business case development.
- Contributes to value proposition development and communicates recommendations to R&D and business leadership.
Capability Building & External Collaboration
- Builds new technical capabilities through method development, lab infrastructure improvements, and digital tool integration.
- Collaborates with universities, startups, consortia, and suppliers to identify emerging technologies and accelerate capability growth.
- Shares technical learnings broadly across global teams and supports knowledge management efforts.
Process Development & Scale-Up Support
- Partners with process engineering, operations, and pilot line teams to transition concepts from lab to pilot to manufacturing.
- Supports process learning, modeling, and analytical data interpretation to drive robust scale-up.
- Applies data-driven approaches to evaluate technical risk, optimize performance, and validate manufacturability.
Project Leadership & Execution
- Manages projects using Stage-Gate, VelOCity, or similar innovation frameworks.
- Communicates milestones, risks, and insights clearly to project stakeholders.
- Ensures structured project planning, documentation, and risk mitigation.
- Demonstrates strong ownership and follow-through to deliver high-quality results.
JOB REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Qualifications- Advanced degree (MS or PhD) in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science, Chemistry, or related field.
- 3-5+ years of experience in R&D with a focus on product development, material formulation, or process development.
- Demonstrated ability to independently design experiments, analyze data, and communicate results.
- Ability to travel up to 25%.
Preferred Experience- Background in nonwovens, coatings, adhesives, binders, polymer systems, or composites.
- Experience developing test methods, mimics, or new technical capabilities.
- Strong quantitative and data-analytics skills.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES- Strong technical problem-solving and hypothesis-driven experimental design skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including technical documentation.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and operate effectively in ambiguity.
- High degree of initiative, curiosity, and ownership.
- Ability to translate customer needs into technical requirements and solutions.
- Creative and strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS- Growth mindset with passion for innovation and continuous learning.
- Customer-oriented, results-focused, and accountable.
- Collaborative with strong interpersonal skills and inclusive mindset.
- Adaptable and resilient in fast-moving environments.
