Glass Research Engineer

This is the base salary pay range that an applicant can expect to make upon hire.   Pay within this range will vary based upon relevant experience, skills, and education among other factors. In addition, this position is eligible for an incentive bonus. 

Johns Manville is seeking a results-driven Glass Technology Engineer to lead initiatives that improve glass manufacturing performance, reduce production costs, accelerate innovation, and support strategic growth across our North American and European operations. Based within our Corporate R&D organization, this role serves as a critical technical leader, partnering with manufacturing, engineering, and business teams to optimize glass chemistry, raw material utilization, batch processes, and capital investments.

Success in this role will be measured by the ability to improve process capability, drive cost savings, enhance product performance, solve complex manufacturing challenges, and successfully implement new technologies and formulations across the business. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in glass science and manufacturing with a demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders, lead cross-functional projects, and deliver measurable operational results.

This position reports to the R&D Glass Technology Leader and may be based in Littleton, CO or at a JM fiberglass manufacturing facility.

Key Responsibilities & Performance Expectations

• Lead plant-scale trials and commercialization efforts that improve glass performance, manufacturing efficiency, yield, quality, and overall cost competitiveness.
• Identify, prioritize, and champion process improvement, product development, and cost-reduction opportunities that deliver measurable business value.
• Establish and maintain statistical process control (SPC) methodologies that consistently achieve glass compositional targets, product quality requirements, and manufacturing performance objectives.
• Drive reductions in raw material and process variability through data-driven analysis, resulting in improved process stability and operational reliability.
• Lead and support batch process optimization initiatives that increase throughput, reduce waste, improve quality, and enhance manufacturing productivity.
• Develop technical strategies and specifications for raw materials that ensure reliable supply, consistent product performance, and cost-effective manufacturing operations.
• Utilize advanced analytical and laboratory capabilities to rapidly diagnose manufacturing issues, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Develop and implement new testing methodologies and analytical tools that improve process understanding, problem-solving effectiveness, and production performance.
• Partner directly with plant operations, engineering, and business leaders to resolve technical challenges and execute continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop, validate, and commercialize new glass formulations and production processes that support new products, evolving customer requirements, sustainability goals, and profitability targets.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in glass chemistry, batch technology, refractories, and furnace operations, providing technical leadership across manufacturing sites and capital projects.
• Support capital expansion, modernization, and startup activities by ensuring batch, glass chemistry, and process systems achieve design objectives and operational readiness.
• Build trusted relationships with manufacturing locations and business stakeholders through proactive engagement, technical leadership, and timely execution of critical initiatives.
• Provide onsite support during startup, commissioning, and major project implementation phases to ensure successful operational outcomes.
• Travel approximately 25%, with periods of increased travel up to 50% during major capital projects, plant startups, and strategic business initiatives.

What You Bring to the Team:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Ceramic, Glass, or Materials Science and Engineering with a minimum of 3 years combined work experience with positions in laboratories, R&D, and operations.
• Experience in glass chemistry as it relates to industrial scale glass production processes and equipment, including compositional development for specific glass and product properties.
• Working knowledge of analytical laboratory techniques relevant to glass, ceramics, and industrial minerals.
• Experience in statistical process control, including developing sampling and inspection plans, constructing control charts, and conducting gage capability studies.
• Good formal and informal verbal, written, and presentation communication skills.
• Demonstrated interest and experience in production support.
• Demonstrated application of analytical laboratory measurements for problem solving.
• Demonstrated interest and experience in industrial glass composition development.
• Experience with data mining and analysis techniques.
• Knowledge of gas and electric fired glass furnace operation.
• Demonstrated capability in identifying plant level project opportunities that lead to financial benefits.
• Demonstrated capability in executing assigned plant level projects.
• Knowledge of glass making raw materials.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Ceramic, Glass, or Materials Science and Engineering with a minimum 3 years work experiences with positions in laboratories, R&D, and operations.
• Experience in design and operation of bulk material conveying systems, including pneumatic and mechanical systems.
• Knowledge of fiber forming processes.
• Knowledge of process control and data collection systems.
• Demonstrated interest and experience in batch processes and equipment evaluation and design, including developing project scopes of work.
• Knowledge and understanding of minerals and mineral processing, including processing of recycle glass cullet.
• Working knowledge of computer-based models for processes and operations.
• Working knowledge of glass industry related refractories and applications.
• Experience with gas and electric fired glass furnace operations.

#LI-MA1 #LI-ONSITE #P #D

Please Keep in Mind

If you do not meet 100% of these requirements, we at JM still want to hear from you. So, if you are interested in the role, we encourage you to apply so we can learn how your skills and talents can contribute to our team.

Benefits

Johns Manville (JM) offers a wide range of benefits to employees. Some are subsidized by the company and others are fully employee-paid. Health benefits include a choice of comprehensive medical plans, a dental plan, vision plan, wellness program and critical illness insurance. JM sponsors a 401(k) plan which includes a sizeable company match. JM offers paid vacation and also provides paid sick and parental leave for eligible employees.

Additionally, Johns Manville provides basic life Insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, an employee assistance program, and business travel accident coverage. Supplemental life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance are available as well. The company also offers a variety of tax saving accounts; health spending account, traditional flexible spending account, and a dependent care spending account. JM also offers a tuition reimbursement program for undergraduate and certain graduate programs.

Johns Manville supports employee growth with vast educational opportunities and a company-wide mentoring program. This program pairs employees and leaders to grow skills, build stronger internal networks and strengthen the company’s succession planning process. Johns Manville also offers soft and hard skills training facilitated by internal and external presenters. Our talent management team prioritizes the holistic growth of our workforce.

Diversity & Inclusion

Johns Manville believes diversity and inclusion in our workplace is critical for the long-term success of our company. We are committed to retaining, developing and attracting a diverse workforce that fosters an inclusive work environment in which all employees are treated with dignity and respect. This is the right thing to do for our employees, our company and our communities.

Incumbent must be physically able to perform essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.