Glass Research Engineer

Who We Are

Johns Manville is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality insulation and commercial roofing, along with glass fibers and nonwovens for commercial, industrial and residential applications. Our products are used in a wide variety of industries including building products, aerospace, automotive and transportation, filtration, commercial interiors, waterproofing and wind energy.

A proud member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, we serve customers in more than 80 countries around the globe. We are committed to delivering positive and powerful experiences, because we are successful only when our employees and customers thrive. We are passionate, we care about people, we perform at a superior level, and we protect others and our environments.

Pay Range

$101,500.00-$139,600.00 Annual

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 currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Glass Technology Engineer located in the Johns Manville Technical Center in Littleton, CO.

This position plays a key role in our support of glass production operations in North America and Europe from our corporate research and development facility in Littleton, CO. Responsibilities include monitoring and controlling production glass chemistries, supporting operations through application of laboratory measurement technologies for trouble shooting and problem solving, developing new glass formulations for cost savings and improved glass properties, and leading equipment and process designs of the batch processes in capital projects. Ideal candidates will have an advanced engineering degree, working knowledge of glass chemistry and production processes, experience in design and operations of batching systems, and willingness to work directly (onsite when necessary) with our production facilities and capital project engineering group. Collaboration and passion for results are important attributes. This position reports directly to our R&D Glass Technology Leader.

Anticipated deadline to apply: 4/30/25. This deadline is Johns Manville’s good faith estimate of when the application will close. Johns Manville may extend the deadline and will update this posting promptly if it is extended.

Responsibilities:

• Independently lead, plan, and conduct plant level trials of different raw materials and glass chemistries
• Identify, research, and present project opportunities, including novel opportunities, to business leaders for consideration by business managers.
• Monitor and control production glass chemistries and properties using SPC techniques.
• Support operations by leveraging a combination of laboratory measurement technologies and subject matter expertise for trouble shooting and problem solving, particularly in relation to batch, melting, and glass related problems.
• Use statistical (SPC) techniques to monitor and control raw materials for glass production
• Lead and support batch process design and operational improvements through plant support and capital projects
• Evaluate and determine technical specifications for new and existing raw materials
• Utilize our R&D analytical laboratories for routine and special testing of glasses and raw materials
• Develop appropriate new routine and non-routine testing for glasses and materials for production and problem solving
• Travel to plant locations to interface with division customers on batch and glass related issues and capital expansions
• Provide support to manufacturing sites for their glass/batch related projects and work to identify further process improvements and cost-out opportunities.
• Develop glass formulations and processes to meet specific new product and process requirements
• Provide batch, glass, refractory, and furnace technical expertise for production problem solving
• Travel expected to be normally 25% with some months up to 50% during capital project startups or other large projects
• Collaboration, curiosity, and passion for results are important attributes.

Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Ceramic, Glass, or Materials Science and Engineering with a minimum of 3 years combined work experiences 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 skill
• 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 2 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 recycled 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

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. Our D&I council is composed of employees from locations across North American & Europe who meet regularly and work to promote and foster an environment of inclusion. Born from our D&I council is our network of employee resource groups (ERGs) that are focused on supporting diverse communities in the workplace. Review more about our diversity & inclusion initiatives on JM’s Career page.

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.