Project Manager for Thermal Spray Technologies

Description

Job Summary: TECNALIA is seeking a Project Manager for thermal spray technologies to develop coating solutions and manage R&D&i projects. Key Highlights: 1. Professional development in flagship industrial transformation projects 2. Collaboration with high-level research groups 3. Integration into a multidisciplinary team recognized across Europe At **TECNALIA**, we aim to strengthen the Business Area of **Manufacturing Processes and Materials** by incorporating a Project Manager specializing in thermal spray technologies. The thermal spray technologies group, part of the Manufacturing Processes and Materials Business Area within TECNALIA’s Industry and Mobility Unit, has over 30 years of experience in this technological field. It focuses on developing coatings and surface engineering using the most advanced spraying techniques (high-velocity, detonation, plasma, suspensions) to deliver competitive and sustainable solutions for applications under extreme service conditions and high added value in sectors such as aerospace, transportation, energy, healthcare, and metal transformation. The group is a national and international reference in these technologies, based at TECNALIA’s facilities in San Sebastián and Irun. *If you are proactive, autonomous, responsible, and solution-oriented, capable of adapting to new projects, and enjoy teamwork.* *If you are passionate about applied research and transferring developed technology to industry… keep reading…!* ***What You Will Do*** The selected candidate will join this research group to develop coating solutions addressing challenges faced by the industrial ecosystem. You will have the opportunity to work within a highly visible team in a multicultural, dynamic, and enriching work environment. Your role as Project Manager will include the following responsibilities: * Leading, monitoring, and executing R&D&i projects with industry partners and nationally or internationally funded public projects. * Preparing publicly funded project proposals (national and European level) to support strategic implementation. * Preparing R&D&i project proposals for industry. * Developing and optimizing tests for coating characterization under representative service conditions (temperature and wear). * Leading and contributing to the writing of scientific publications and presentations at nationally and internationally recognized conferences. * Contributing to the execution and achievement of the economic and scientific-technological objectives outlined in the Business Area’s Management Plan. ***What We Offer*** * Opportunities for professional development, participation in flagship industrial transformation projects, and building a solid professional career. * Collaboration with high-level research groups—regional, national, and international, especially European. * Integration into a multidisciplinary team recognized across Europe, carrying out diverse, dynamic, and non-routine scientific-technological activities that demand creativity, problem-solving, and technical and business management coordination. * Work-life balance measures. * **Qualifications**: Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or related disciplines aligned with thermal spray technologies. A Ph.D. degree will be highly valued. * **Languages**: Proficiency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of additional languages will be considered an asset. * **Minimum Experience**: Candidates must possess proven knowledge and experience—of at least five years—in managing R&D&i projects in the field of surface technologies. Experience in thermal spray technologies and leading research teams will be highly valued. * Technological expertise in materials and surface engineering applied to high-added-value coatings for extreme-condition applications (hard metals, cermets, carbides, ceramics, slurry coatings, thermal/environmental barrier coatings, etc.). * Familiarity with metallographic characterization techniques, electron microscopy, non-destructive testing for defect detection, and mechanical-structural material characterization. * Understanding of surface engineering challenges and solutions related to corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and extreme temperature conditions. **Additional Assets**: * Leadership capability, strong proactivity, critical analytical thinking, and ability to work both autonomously and collaboratively. * Ability to operate effectively in a multidisciplinary environment with a commercial networking mindset, teamwork orientation, and conflict resolution skills. Capacity to engage with potential clients and collaborators. * Goal-oriented working style (teamwork while maintaining and promoting collaboration across company departments, achieving project goals, commercial targets, resource efficiency, high performance, and technology hybridization). * Experience in technology transfer to industry and in semi-industrial or industrial environments. * Experience in industrial material qualification (aerospace, oil & gas, nuclear, etc.). * Experience in European Framework Programme research projects will be positively considered. * *We welcome applications from individuals holding a disability certificate of 33% or higher, in compliance with current legislation—the General Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and their Social Inclusion (LGD).*