Director Research and Development - Green Iron and Industrial Hydrogen

About the role

Fortescue is seeking an executive-level Director of Research and Development to set the technical direction of its Green Iron and Industrial Hydrogen platforms and its wider R&D portfolio. Reporting directly to the CEO, the role leads the scientific and engineering organisation and shapes how the business invests in low-carbon ironmaking and industrial decarbonisation technologies. It covers the full innovation lifecycle, from fundamental research and technology validation through product development, scale-up and commercial readiness.

Key responsibilities

• Set technical strategy: develop technology roadmaps for green iron, hydrogen and related platforms, and contribute technical insight to corporate strategy, investment and partnership decisions.
• Lead the R&D portfolio: set priorities and budgets, oversee stage-gate reviews and techno-economic assessments, and decide which programmes to continue, redirect or stop.
• Build scientific capability: lead multidisciplinary teams, laboratories and test facilities, and set standards for safe work, measurement integrity and model-to-test validation.
• Develop partnerships and commercial pathways: assess when to partner, and lead technical partnerships, joint ventures or licensing arrangements, including intellectual property and go-to-market approaches.
• Build business cases using market analysis, cost and competitor benchmarks, and work with Commercial, Marketing, Corporate Development and Ventures on product positioning and routes to market.
• Guide technologies from pilot work to deployment, covering production, cost, quality, serviceability and supply-chain requirements.
• Present progress, risks and investment choices to executives, the Board and investment committees, and grow senior scientific talent and succession depth.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in engineering, chemistry, materials science, metallurgy or a related discipline; a PhD is preferred.
• At least 15 years of experience leading industrial R&D, with a track record of moving technologies from laboratory through pilot to demonstration or industrial deployment.
• Experience leading large, multidisciplinary scientific or engineering organisations, including laboratories or test facilities, with a strong commitment to safety.
• Perth-based or willing to relocate, and able to maintain regular presence at operational sites.

Required skills

• Deep technical expertise in at least two areas such as electrochemistry, hydrogen systems, metallurgical processing, photovoltaics or industrial heat and combustion.
• Experience with product development and scale-up, stage-gate governance and evidence-based stop or pivot decisions.
• Commercial experience developing business cases and structuring partnerships, joint ventures or licensing arrangements, with an understanding of intellectual property.
• Confidence presenting performance updates and investment recommendations to executive, Board or investment-committee audiences.