Director, Advanced Refining Technologies, R&D

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Date: May 14, 2026

Location: Baltimore, MD, US, 21226

Company: W. R. Grace & Co.

Annual Wage Range: $166,448.00  - $228,866.00 
Other Compensation:  Eligibility for the Short-Term Incentive program and other applicable bonuses 
Benefits: U.S. Employee Benefits Summary (grace.com)

Grace, a Standard Industries company, is a leading global supplier of catalysts, engineered materials and fine chemicals. We provide innovative products, technologies and services which our customers use to manufacture everyday products like renewable fuels, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, cosmetics, food packaging, beer, edible oils and more. Our thousands of employees help shape a better future at our global headquarters in Columbia, MD and locations worldwide.

Job Description

Advanced Refining Technologies (ART or ART HydroprocessingTM), a Grace company, is a leading supplier of hydroprocessing catalysts. ART offers a complete portfolio of fixed and ebullated bed resid hydroprocessing, distillate hydrotreating, and guard and hydrotreating catalysts for renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel production. Leveraging our global manufacturing network, materials science, specialty chemical manufacturing, and global sales and technical service capabilities, we help refiners boost profitability with catalytic solutions that improve the quality and yields of fuels refined from a wide variety of feedstocks.

 

The R&D Director for ART Hydroprocessing Catalysts provides strategic, scientific, and operational leadership for ART’s catalyst research, development, and technical service capabilities. This role advances ART’s hydroprocessing catalyst technology portfolio, supports industry-leading technical service and fosters a culture of engagement and excellence for the R&D organization.

The R&D Director aligns investments and resources with business strategy, customer needs, and long-term growth objectives while maintaining the highest standards of safety, fiscal discipline, and organizational excellence.

 

This role is located at our Curtis Bay Facility in Baltimore, MD.

Responsibilities

  • Actively coach and develop direct reports and broader R&D organization. As needed, partner with Talent Acquisition to identify and recruit top-talent for new roles.
  • Partner with Marketing to lead robust new-product introduction (NPI) process. Identify, scope, and launch projects in key growth segments. Conduct regular portfolio reviews to ensure balance of resources across full project portfolio and alignment with strategic intent of the ART business.
  • Serve as a visible safety leader for the ART R&D team by actively participating in EH&S programs. Ensure compliance with all mandatory safety requirements.
  • Lead and coordinate R&D support for our customer Technical Services teams. Maintain ART as leading supplier of hydroprocessing catalysts through workshops, customer visits, and participation in relevant industrial conferences. 
  • Ensure R&D has testing capabilities to differentiate catalyst performance, analyze customer feedstocks, and evaluate spent hydroprocessing catalysts. 

Required Qualifications

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to lead and develop colleagues in an R&D environment
  • Financial and business acumen to ensure allocation of constrained resources maximizes enterprise value
  • PhD or MS in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or related discipline.
  • 15+ years of experience in catalyst R&D, hydroprocessing technologies, or refinery-related innovation.
  • Demonstrated leadership in managing R&D organizations
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams spanning R&D, Technical Service, and Marketing.
  • Experience managing large projects through stage-gate innovation processes
  • Experience in managing external and internal partnerships.

  • #LI -TC1  

Preferred Qualifications

  • PhD in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry and 9 years of related experience

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance and Disability
  • Grace Wellness Program
  • Flexible Workplace with maximum overlap with the core hours
  • Retirement Plans 
  • 401(k) Company Match
  • Paid Vacation and Holidays
  • Parental Leave
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Company Donation Match Program

Grace is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. Please, no phone calls or emails. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Grace via email, the Internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of Grace. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by Grace as a result of the referral or through other means.


Nearest Major Market: Baltimore