Director, Research & Development – Site Manager - Alcoa USA Group

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 aluminum scrap and upgrading it to high purity metal, with added value to Alcoa’s clients with a net-zero carbon footprint. This technology is important to Alcoa’s vision to re-invent the aluminum industry for a sustainable future. The project is in it's early stage of development and involves significant work to achieve a technology package ready for commercial deployment.

What you can bring to this role:

• Identify, develop, and gather resources to complete projects which may include preparing engineering standards, designs, and work specifications.

• Establish project schedule, budget, and forecast; and selecting materials, equipment, staff, and external contractors.

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

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

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

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

• 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.

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

• 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 Research & Development or related field.

• 5 years of experience in R&D program and people management.

• 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.

• Flexible spending accounts and generous employer contribution to the HAS.

• 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’s Greatest Workplaces 2023 by Newsweek.

#LI-TL2

About the Location

Every day is a new and exciting challenge at the Alcoa Technical Center in New Kensington, PA, just north of Pittsburgh. We develop new technologies with our Breakthrough Technologies team that has the potential to impact the life of millions of people and foster the sustainable footprint from Alcoa to the world. It was here where we developed the technology recently announced in partnership with Rio Tinto, called ELYSIS™, where we will produce aluminum with ZERO emission of greenhouse gases. In fact, we will actually be generating oxygen to our atmosphere during the aluminum production process– a revolution to the aluminum industry!

We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress.  Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.   

As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nation of origin, disability, veteran status, language spoken or any other characteristic or status protected by the laws or regulations in the places where we operate.  

If you have visited our website in search of information on U.S. employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Alcoa Recruiting via email at gssrecruiting@alcoa.com.  

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career!  

Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better.