Fireproofing Application Specialist
PPG Industries
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Join PPG's elite Passive Fire Protection (PFP) Application Specialist team—the critical bridge between R&D innovation and real-world performance. As our “first customer,” you will rigorously test pre-production PFP coatings like PPG PITT-CHAR® NX and STEELGUARD®, push them to their limits in high-temp ovens, and deliver precise feedback to refine life-saving formulations. You will then lead global third-party certification, ensuring flawless execution of fire-test protocols. This hands-on, high-impact role demands PFP mastery, meticulous documentation, a strong customer-facing attitude, and proven interpersonal skills to build trusted relationships with R&D, production, third-party institutes, and external stakeholders worldwide.
Key Responsibilities
Bridge R&D and Reality: Receive first-batch PFP materials; design and execute exhaustive application trials (spray, trowel, curing) to stress-test char expansion, adhesion, and fire resistance. Document failure points and collaborate with R&D for rapid adjustments.
Third-Party Fire Testing Leadership: Coordinate with global institutes (England, Saudi Arabia, Peru, etc.) to align UL 1709, EN 13381, ISO 834 fire-test protocols, deadlines, and deliverables. Supply exhaustive documentation—never “too much information”—to secure PFP certifications.
Deadline-Driven Execution: Own immovable fire-testing milestones. Witness production runs, oversee in-house PFP spray-outs in high-temp furnaces, and ensure every detail is captured for regulatory records.
Hands-On PFP Application (25% of role): Perform daily PFP spray-outs and intumescent testing at PPG facilities or third-party sites while wearing full Tyvek PPE. Operate pumps, plural-component systems, and high-temp test ovens for PFP validation.
Bespoke R&D Support: Fulfill custom PFP requests, including in-house furnace testing.
Global Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong customer-facing relationships through face-to-face interactions with fire-testing institutes, production teams, and stakeholders. Conduct virtual and in-person meetings to keep PFP projects on track.
Administrative Excellence (80% when not traveling): Generate detailed PFP trial reports, CRM updates, fire-test data packages, and compliance documentation.
Qualifications
No degree required.
Hands-on experience in application and testing of coatings
Proven expertise in spray/trowel systems, pumps, surface prep, and curing; comfort pushing performance to failure in high-temp ovens.
Meticulous attention to detail—capable of producing exhaustive, audit-ready fire-test documentation under tight deadlines.
Strong customer-facing attitude and experience—professional, proactive communicator who excels in face-to-face technical discussions with clients, fire engineers, certifiers, and third-party partners.
Experience coordinating with third-party testing bodies
Willingness to wear full Tyvek PPE and work with high-temp ovens and hazardous materials.
Travel Expectations
15–20% annual travel
Preferred Skills
Hands-on experience in application and fire-testing of Passive Fire Protection (PFP) coatings
Proven expertise in PFP spray/trowel systems, pumps, surface prep, and curing; comfort pushing char performance to failure in high-temp ovens.
Proven expertise in PFP spray/trowel systems, pumps, surface prep, and curing; comfort pushing char performance to failure in high-temp ovens.
Pump and plural-component spray equipment expertise for thick-film PFP.
Certification in PFP application (NACE/SSPC, FROSIO, ICorr) or fire testing standards.
Familiarity with furnace-based PFP testing, hydrocarbon fire curves, or wind blade fire protection.
Multilingual (Spanish/Portuguese a plus for South America).
About us:
PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™
Through leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in more ways than does any other company. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X.
The PPG Way 2030
We are customer champions
Proactive. Bold. Trustworthy. Everything we do starts with our customers. We listen, move fast and don’t stop until we solve their biggest challenges. When our customers win, we all grow.
We act with purpose and speed
Agile. Data-driven. Empowered. We take smart risks to stay ahead of the competition. We work proactively with agility, using quality data to develop solutions that create value.
We are excellent operators
Productive. Collaborative. Accountable. No matter our role, we identify problems, take ownership and always bring solutions. We are both proactive and responsive to drive continuous improvement and deliver results. We support our frontline, the faces of PPG to our customers.
We compete to win
Future-focused. Driven. Ambitious. We are passionate about growing our business and winning with our customers. We deliver results, embrace new technologies and leverage agility and speed as strengths.
We are PPG proud
Strong. United. Passionate. We work safely, act with integrity and value our diverse perspectives. We celebrate achievements and take pride in the positive impact we create together to protect and beautify the world.
At PPG we use AI in the hiring process to make the process more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by going to https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.
PPG provides equal opportunity to all candidates and employees. We offer an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
If you need an adjustment due to a disability, please email [email protected].
PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.
Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Benefits will be discussed with you by your recruiter during the hiring process.
PPG values your feedback on our recruiting process. We encourage you to visit Glassdoor.com and provide feedback on the process, so that we can do better today than yesterday.
Skills Required
- Hands-on experience in application and testing of coatings
- Proven expertise in spray/trowel systems, pumps, surface prep, and curing
- Meticulous attention to detail for documentation
- Strong customer-facing attitude and experience
- Experience coordinating with third-party testing bodies
- Willingness to wear full Tyvek PPE and work with hazardous materials
PPG Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about PPG and has not been reviewed or approved by PPG.
-
Retirement Support — 401(k) matching, a Retirement Savings Plan, and mentions of pension structures are part of the package. Feedback suggests these programs strengthen long-term financial security and add meaningful value to total compensation.
-
Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid holidays, sick days, vacation, and volunteer time off are provided alongside parental leave and adoption assistance. Feedback suggests the breadth of leave options supports work-life needs across different life stages.
-
Flexible Benefits — A wide menu includes medical/dental/vision, FSAs/HSAs with company seed contributions for HDHP enrollees, an EAP, and numerous voluntary options such as accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, legal, and pet insurance. Feedback suggests the variety and optionality help employees tailor coverage to their circumstances.
PPG Insights
What We Do
PPG: We protect and beautify the world.® At PPG (NYSE:PPG), we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and specialty materials that our customers have trusted for more than 140 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $18.2 billion in 2023. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets. To learn more, visit www.ppg.com and follow @PPG on X and @PPGIndustries on Facebook, Instagram and Threads
