Director RD&E

The RD&E Director - Core Water Technologies leads a team of researchers focused on developing differentiated water treatment chemistries, systems, and programs used across the global water sector. This role sets the strategic technical direction for core product platforms, builds a robust innovation pipeline, and ensures technologies translate into scalable and cost-effective commercial offerings that deliver outsized value to our customers.

The role is based at the Naperville, IL Campus.

The Director operates both strategically and tactically, partnering closely with Divisional RD&E, Marketing, Regulatory, Supply Chain, and key customers to identify unmet needs, validate total value delivered, protect intellectual property, and accelerate commercialization. The role is accountable for talent development, portfolio governance, and delivering measurable business impact through technology deployment. This position reports to the VP, Industrial Anchors.

• Develop and lead the multi-year technology strategy and innovation roadmap for core water treatment platforms (e.g., scale & corrosion control, microbiological control, liquid/solid separations, and sensing/automation-enabled programs)
• Collaborate with divisional and international RD&E leaders to identify industry/region-specific customer needs and coordinate with them on project execution
• Lead a team of researchers and scientists; set clear objectives, develop capabilities, and build succession plans while fostering a strong safety, innovation, and quality culture
• Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Sales, Regulatory, and Supply Chain to ensure customer value, regulatory compliance, manufacturability, and competitive cost position
• Drive intellectual property strategy and maintain freedom-to-operate awareness in partnership with Legal
• Lead portfolio governance by prioritizing projects, allocating resources, managing budgets, and tracking value delivery

• Bachelor's degree required in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Environmental Engineering, Microbiology, or related discipline; master's or PhD preferred
• 10+ years of progressive experience in product development and/or applied research, including formulation and performance evaluation
• 5+ years of people leadership experience managing scientists/researchers, with demonstrated ability to recruit, develop, and retain top technical talent
• Proven track record of delivering innovations to market, including translating research into scalable manufacturing and field-deployable solutions
• Experience partnering cross-functionally and influencing senior stakeholders; strong written and verbal communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated ability to build and execute multi-year technology roadmaps and manage a balanced portfolio under resource constraints

Ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to ~20%)

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At Ecolab, we believe the best teams are inclusive. We are on a journey to create a workplace where every associate can grow and achieve their best. We are committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants and recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement based on individual qualifications and job performance. In all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement, we will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, disability, or status as a covered veteran.

In addition, we are committed to furthering the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) through Affirmative Action (AA).

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.