Lead Pollution Prevention Engineer

Lead Pollution Prevention Engineer
9834BR
Golisano Institute for Sustainability
CIMS Pollution Prevention Institute

Job Summary
Reporting to the NYSP2I Associate Director, the Lead Engineer will lead NYSP2I's Sustainable Manufacturing Assistance program, providing strategic direction, technical oversight, and program coordination to advance pollution prevention initiatives across New York State. This role supervises senior engineers, guides project execution, ensures alignment with NYSP2I goals, and represents the DA program internally and externally. The Lead Engineer will be instrumental in scaling the DA program to meet NYSDEC deliverables, enhance technical quality, drive impactful sustainability outcomes for New York manufacturers, , and expand NYSP2I's impact through outreach, education, and technical resource development.


Job Responsibilities:

• Lead, manage, and enhance the Direct Assistance (DA) program by setting strategic direction, defining priorities, and proactively enhancing the program's scope, technical depth, and statewide impact. This includes overseeing the full lifecycle of technical assistance projects-from initial scoping to final reporting and metrics collection-while continuously improving methodologies, tools, and team capabilities. The DA Lead Engineer will drive innovation in pollution prevention strategies, ensure alignment with NYSP2I's mission and NYSDEC grant deliverables, and cultivate partnerships that expand the program's reach and effectiveness. This role goes beyond coordination by actively shaping the future of the DA program, elevating technical quality, and positioning NYSP2I as a leader in sustainable manufacturing P2 assistance.
• Provide detailed technical oversight and guidance to senior engineers and project teams working on sustainable manufacturing assessments. Review and refine methodologies, ensure consistency in data collection and analysis, and validate technical recommendations to ensure they are feasible, impactful, and aligned with client needs and environmental goals.
• Supervise and mentor engineering staff, fostering a culture of continuous learning, collaboration, and technical excellence. Provide coaching and feedback, support professional development, and ensure that team members are equipped to deliver high-quality work. Act as a technical resource and thought leader within the team, helping to resolve complex challenges and elevate project outcomes.
• Represent the DA program externally by engaging with MEPs, industry stakeholders, academic partners, and other collaborators. Serve as the primary spokesperson for the program, presenting findings, sharing success stories, and advocating for pollution prevention strategies at conferences, workshops, and public forums.
• Coordinate program operations and resource allocation, including managing project pipelines, assigning staff to projects based on expertise and availability, and tracking progress toward deliverables. Monitor budgets, timelines, and performance metrics to ensure efficient and effective execution of all DA activities.
• Lead strategic development and innovation efforts by identifying emerging trends, technologies, and opportunities in pollution prevention and sustainable manufacturing. Develop proposals for new initiatives, contribute to grant writing, and help shape the future direction of NYSP2I's technical assistance offerings.
• Ensure high-quality reporting and communication by overseeing the preparation of final client reports, case studies, and internal documentation. Review and approve technical content, ensure clarity and accuracy, and support dissemination of findings through presentations, publications, and stakeholder briefings.

Required Qualifications:
Education/Experience:

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in pollution prevention, sustainable manufacturing, or industrial process improvement.
• Proven experience in program leadership, technical project management, and team supervision.
• Demonstrated success in working with external stakeholders and managing grant-funded initiatives, OR
• Proven experience leading cross-functional projects in collaboration with external partners such as suppliers, clients, or regulatory bodies, including managing budgets, timelines, and deliverables under contract-based or performance-driven frameworks.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Skills:

• Deep understanding of manufacturing systems, pollution prevention strategies, and sustainability metrics.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Exceptional problem-solving, adaptability, and decision-making skills.
• Highly motivated and self-directed, with the ability to inspire and coach others.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building experience.
• Ability to think creatively, solve complex problems, proactively adapt to a changing environment, act decisively, and drive results.
• Ability to set program goals/metrics and develop strategic approaches to achieve them. Strong communication skills at all levels, including individual contributors through the C-suite.
• Ability to identify opportunities, set short and long-term program goals/metrics, and develop a strategic approach to meet them; ability to coach others to do the same.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a technical field of study required (i.e. engineering, chemistry, environmental science, energy management, sustainability, or related fields), or related field.
• Experience working with state and/or federal funding and contracting processes.
• Familiarity with NYSDEC regulations and environmental initiatives.
• Knowledge of grant writing and proposal development.
• Familiarity with Green Chemistry, Design for the Environment, and material substitution strategies.
• Lean Six Sigma or similar process improvement training.
• Experience with Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA).

Department/College Description
The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) is a statewide technology development, transfer, and assistance center whose mission is to make New York state more environmentally sustainable for businesses, workers, and the public through more efficient use of raw materials, energy and water, and reductions in toxic chemical use, emissions to the environment and waste generation. NYSP2I is an integrated program of several major elements: direct technical assistance to industry and organizations; research, development, and diffusion; outreach; professional training; a community grants program; and academic educational program development. NYSP2I also focuses on the acceleration of green technologies and greening of the supply chain. NYSP2I is led by Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and is a partnership between RIT, Clarkson University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cornell University, Binghamton University and the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).

Minimum Qualifications
Education/Experience:

• Minimum 10+ years of experience in pollution prevention, sustainable manufacturing, or industrial process improvement.
• Proven experience in program leadership, technical project management, and team supervision.
• Demonstrated success in working with external stakeholders and managing grant-funded initiatives, OR
• Proven experience leading cross-functional projects in collaboration with external partners such as suppliers, clients, or regulatory bodies, including managing budgets, timelines, and deliverables under contract-based or performance-driven frameworks.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.

Skills:

• Deep understanding of manufacturing systems, pollution prevention strategies, and sustainability metrics.
• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Exceptional problem-solving, adaptability, and decision-making skills.
• Highly motivated and self-directed, with the ability to inspire and coach others.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building experience.
• Ability to think creatively, solve complex problems, proactively adapt to a changing environment, act decisively, and drive results.
• Ability to set program goals/metrics and develop strategic approaches to achieve them. Strong communication skills at all levels, including individual contributors through the C-suite.
• Ability to identify opportunities, set short and long-term program goals/metrics, and develop a strategic approach to meet them; ability to coach others to do the same.

Professional Area:
Employment Category: Fulltime
Staff Job Function: Wage Band: $104600 - $175200
Hourly/Salary Minimum: $104600
Hourly/Salary Maximum: $175200

How to Apply
In order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at: http://careers.rit.edu/staff. Click the link for search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or the BR number.
The direct link to this posting can be found here: https://sjobs.brassring.com/

Additional Details

Rochester Institute of Technology, the 10th largest private university in the U.S., is among the worlds leading technological universities. Its 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are enrolled in over 200 academic programs, including 7 interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs. A pioneer in experiential education, RIT was the first to offer undergraduate degree programs in biotechnology, information technology, software engineering, and microelectronic engineering. As home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the university offers unparalleled academic opportunities and services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Founded in 1829, RIT has 115,000 alumni throughout the United States and around the world. RIT has been named by the Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the "Great Colleges to Work For." RIT is a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation site, and is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples through the Upstate NY Higher Education Recruitment Consortium. For more information, visit www.rit.edu/overview/rankings-and-recognition and www.rit.edu.

As a member of the RIT community employees receive a well-balanced benefits package that offers a variety of choices and access to additional employment advantages. These benefits, combined with an employees pay, provide a total compensation package that can be tailored to meet your needs. More on RITs Benefits, Health & Wellness program can be found at: https://www.rit.edu/fa/humanresources/content/benefits-health-and-wellness

RIT does not discriminate. RIT is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity, pluralism, and inclusion. For more information or inquiries, please visit RIT/TitleIX or the U.S. Department of Education at ED.Gov

Hourly/Salary Minimum: 104600
Hourly/Salary Maximum:175200

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