Director, Research & Development – Site Manager

Shape Your World

At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper, world-shaper.

As a leader within Alcoa, you can help us fulfill our purpose and realize our vision to reinvent the aluminum industry. Be part of the team that is helping shape a better workplace with a better work-life balance and the equal opportunities that help everyone thrive. You have the power to shape things to make them better.

About the Role:

Alcoa is seeking a Director, Research & Development – Site Manager to lead the ASTRAEA efforts within our Breakthrough Technologies, at Alcoa’s Technical Center (ATC) in New Kensington, PA.

ASTRAEA aims at processing the most difficult to post-consumer aluminum scrap and upgrade it to high purity metal, with added value to Alcoa’s clients with a net-zero carbon footprint. This proprietary technology is of critical importance to Alcoa’s vision to re-invent the aluminum industry for a sustainable future. The project is in early stage of development and requires substantial work to achieve a technology package ready for commercial deployment.

The ASTRAEA Director will be an accomplished R&D technology leader, experienced in metallurgical processes, who is able to lead cross-functional teams to achieve a successful outcome.

What you can bring to this role:

• General Project Engineering focuses on designing, communicating, and implementing an operational plan for completing engineering-based projects.

• Preparing designs, project controls and specifications, schedules, cost estimates, production, transportation, installation, testing and/or commissioning of new infrastructure, facilities, equipment, etc.

• Identifying, developing, and gathering the resources necessary to complete the project which may include preparing engineering standards, designs, and work specifications; developing project schedules, budgets, and forecasts; and selecting materials, equipment, project staff, and external contractors.

• Establish and implement strategies that have short to mid-term (1-3 years) impact on business results in alignment with parent/corporate organization objectives.

• Develop short to mid-term plans for optimizing the Alcoa’s, function, or sub-function and the talent required to execute strategies.

• Prioritize and focus on immediate activities in line with the vision along with long-term goals of the project at a strategic level.

• Collaborate with workstream leads and integrate breadth of activities to ensure overall project schedule and cost effectiveness goals are met.

• Leverage resources and activities from COEs, RUs, and existing Alcoa operations to meet target timelines.

• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills to communicate with stakeholders, sponsors, and team members.

• Ability to integrate workstream leads and activities to ensure no overlap of effort and synergies in resourcing/ activities.

• Experience with sub consulting via research / equipment and engineering organizations and clear development of scopes of work, contracts, and briefs in conjunction with workstream leads and support teams.

• Experience with intellectual property (IP) and its management, as a minimum awareness of how to work with all parties respecting Alcoa’s IP and knowledge developed and if developments are worthy of IP protection.

• Master’s degree in chemical engineering, materials science, metallurgical engineering, or related field. PhD is desirable along with experience in Process and Technology Development for large scale processing facilities.

• 10 to 15 years in R&D or related field with 5 years of experience in R&D program management with supervision of organization and skilled professionals of similar amplitude.

• Proven ability to scale up systems, processes, and ability to establish high-level strategies for new technologies.

• Selected candidate must be willing to relocate if outside of site area.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages, including pay-for performance variable pay, recognition and rewards programs, and stock-based compensation awards (3-year vesting schedule)

• Flexible spending accounts and generous employer contribution to the HSA

• 401(k), employer match up to 6%, additional employer retirement income contribution (no vesting period), and a nonqualified deferred compensation plan

• Holiday Pay: 10 holidays and one flexible holiday of your choice.

• 8 hours of Paid annual volunteer hours

• Alcoa has been chosen as one of America