Graduate Program - Application Specialist Advanced Materials

Introduction to the CDP Program

At Air Products, we invest early in people with the potential to grow, contribute, and shape the future of our business. The Career Development Program (CDP) is our flagship 3-year rotational development program designed for high-potential graduates at the start of their careers. As a CDP participant, you will complete three 12-month assignments, gaining hands-on experience across different roles, teams, and business areas aligned to your chosen track (Engineering, Commercial, Operations, or Functional).

Each assignment is designed to build both technical depth and business understanding, while exposing you to how Air Products operates m day one, you will be trusted with real responsibilities, supported by structured development, and encouraged to actively shape your career path.

• Three structured 12-month assignments over 3 years
• Clear development objectives and performance reviews
• On-the-job learning supported by formal training and mentoring
• Exposure to senior leaders and cross-functional teams
• Start date:
  
  October 2026 (FY27 intake)

Your First Assignment

Your first assignment is designed to help you build great foundations, understand our business, and start delivering impact quickly.

Location:

Based in Saint Quentin Fallavier (near Lyon, France), within the European Materials Processing Team, as a CDP you will support the Industrial Gases sales organization in achieving commercial objectives and developing the AMP (advanced material processing) and BEE (back-end electronics) business. The role provides technical and application support across gas technologies, equipment, and value-added solutions, enabling sales growth and customer process optimization.

You will:

• Help customers and sales teams understand our technical gas solutions, equipment, and value-added services
• Support technical training, technology demonstrations, and solution presentations
• Assist in customer process optimization, ensuring our technologies deliver maximum value
• Contribute to the preparation of technical and commercial proposals
• Take part in customer visits, trials, and project support activities
• Support new customer signings, market expansion, and improve the profitability of our technology, gases, and services

You will be supported by an Assignment Manager, a Program Sponsor, and the wider CDP network.

In your second and third years, you will rotate into new assignments that:

• Broaden your experience across functions, businesses, or environments
• Increase your level of responsibility and autonomy
• Build on your strengths while developing new skills

Assignments are planned based on:

• Business needs
• Your performance and development progress
• Your interests and career aspirations

By the end of the program, you will be well-positioned to transition into a permanent role within Air Products.

We believe development happens best through stretch, support, and exposure. As a CDP, you will:

• Actively shape your career path rather than follow a fixed track
• Gain broad, hands-on experience through multiple assignments
• Develop technical, interpersonal, and leadership skills through targeted learning
• Work on relevant, high-impact projects from early in your career
• Build a strong professional network across regions, functions, and leadership levels
• Be supported by mentors, sponsors, and a close-knit CDP community

We are looking for motivated graduates who are curious, adaptable, and ready to take ownership.

Essential requirements:

• Master's degree in engineering, Material science/Metallurgy/Manufacturing Engineering or Chemical Engineering
• Graduation between Summer 2025 and August 2026
• Basics of metallurgy and materials science, i.e. heat treatment, phase transformations, oxidation, carburizing, and sintering
• Fluent English and French
• Driving license

Desirable:

• Internship, co-op, or industrial placement experience
• Evidence of leadership, collaboration, or campus involvement
• Commercial awareness and understand how technical solution ties to value (cost savings, quality improvement, productivity)
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to learn

Our selection process is standardized across Europe to ensure fairness and consistency.

Steps:

• Application review by the Talent Acquisition team
• Screening call with a Talent Acquisition Specialist
• Recorded video interview (Cammio) with predefined questions
• In-person or online Assessment Centre
• Final interview with the Program Sponsor and HR Business Partner

Timeline:
Recruitment runs from now through Summer 2026, with a program start date of 1 October 2026.

Founded in 1940, Air Products is a world-leading industrial gases company and has a proud history of innovation, operational excellence, with an unwavering commitment to safety and environmental stewardship. Working together, we are taking our passion and diverse backgrounds forward to reimagine what's possible and generate a cleaner future for our…