Principal Scientist, Global Refrigerant Program Lead Job

Principal Scientist, Global Refrigerant Program Leader

 

Thermal Management & Sustainable Refrigerants

 

Make an Impact on the Future of Sustainable Cooling

 

Arkema is seeking a Global Refrigerant Program Leader to drive the development and global adoption of next‑generation, sustainable refrigerants. In this highly visible leadership role, you will shape technology strategy, influence global standards, and collaborate with customers and partners to accelerate innovation in thermal management.

This position offers a unique opportunity to combine deep technical expertise with global leadership, impacting product development, customer solutions, and Arkema’s external reputation in the refrigerants industry.

 

Reporting & Organizational Context

• Reports directly to the Global R&D Director, Fluorochemicals (France)
• Functional reporting line to the R&D Director, Downstream / Applications (King of Prussia, PA)
• Part of the U.S. subsidiary of a large, multinational chemical company with a strong commitment to safety and sustainability

 

Your Role at a Glance

As the Global Refrigerant Program Leader, you will:

• Lead the thermal management technology platform on a global scale
• Drive the development and commercialization of sustainable refrigerant solutions
• Serve as Arkema’s technical voice with customers, partners, and industry organizations
• Spend approximately one‑third of your time in external-facing leadership, representing Arkema in trade associations and conferences

 

Key Responsibilities

Technology & Strategy Leadership

• Define and execute Arkema’s global technical strategy for refrigerants, aligned with sustainability and growth objectives
• Develop and implement technology, product, and project roadmaps in partnership with Business Development and Marketing
• Coordinate global R&D activities across regions to ensure alignment, execution excellence, and speed to market

Innovation & Intellectual Property

• Initiate, protect, and defend new and existing intellectual property, working closely with the legal team
• Drive innovation through both internal research and external collaborations

Customer & Industry Engagement

• Act as the primary technical interface with key OEM customers, co‑suppliers, and partners
• Demonstrate the value of Arkema refrigerants within customer operations and applications
• Represent Arkema in key industry committees, trade associations, and national/international technical conferences

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Lead the thermal management platform in close coordination with the Business Manager
• Partner with Marketing to identify new project opportunities and align global resources accordingly

Safety & Operational Excellence

• Champion Arkema’s strong safety culture, ensuring safe practices across all technical and operational activities

 

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field with 10–15 years of industrial experience in refrigeration and fluid chemistry
  or a Master’s degree with equivalent industrial experience
• Proven experience in thermal management, HVACR, or related industries
• Strong knowledge of thermodynamics and modern computational engineering tools such as ASPEN, REFPROP, or equivalent
• Experience working in a global, matrixed organization is strongly preferred

 

What Sets You Apart

Technical & Business Impact

• Demonstrated track record of new product commercialization, driven through close customer interaction
• Successful leadership of complex, cross‑functional projects from concept to market

Communication & Influence

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, inclu