Fireproofing Application Specialist

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-tempovens, 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 roledemands 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-batchPFP 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 alignUL 1709, EN 13381, ISO 834 fire-test protocols, deadlines, and deliverables. Supply exhaustive documentation—never “too much information”—to securePFP certifications.

• Deadline-Driven Execution:Own immovable fire-testing milestones. Witness production runs, oversee in-housePFP spray-outs in high-tempfurnaces, and ensure every detail is captured for regulatory records.

• Hands-On PFP Application (25% of role):Perform dailyPFP spray-outs and intumescent testingat PPG facilities or third-party sites while wearing full Tyvek PPE. Operate pumps, plural-component systems, andhigh-temptest ovensfor PFP validation.

• Bespoke R&D Support:Fulfill customPFP requests, including in-house furnace testing.

• Global Relationship Management:Build andmaintainstrong customer-facing relationshipsthrough face-to-face interactions with fire-testing institutes, production teams, and stakeholders. Conduct virtual and in-person meetings to keepPFP projectson track.

• Administrative Excellence (80% when not traveling):Generate detailedPFP trial reports, CRM updates, fire-test data packages, and compliance documentation.

Qualifications

• No degree.

• Hands-on experienceinapplication andtesting ofcoatings

• Provenexpertiseinspray/trowel systems, pumps, surface prep, andcuring;comfortpushingperformance to failure inhigh-temp ovens.

• Meticulous attention to detail—capable of producing exhaustive, audit-readyfire-test documentationunder 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-partytesting bodies

• Willingness to wear full Tyvek PPE and work with high-tempovens 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 

• Provenexpertisein PFP spray/trowel systems, pumps, surface prep, andcuring;comfort pushing char performance to failure inhigh-tempovens.

• Provenexpertisein PFP spray/trowel systems, pumps, surface prep, andcuring;comfort pushing char performance to failure inhigh-tempovens.

• Pump and plural-component spray equipmentexpertiseforthick-film PFP.

• CertificationinPFPapplication(NACE/SSPC, FROSIO,ICorr) orfire testing standards.

• Familiarity withfurnace-based PFP testing, hydrocarbon fire curves, or wind blade fire protection.

• Multilingual (Spanish/Portuguese a plus for South America).