Hiring a Corrosion Engineer with Leadership Skills to Grow a New Acquisition
- Kimberly Wilson
- Jul 7
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 27
Proven Results: New General Manager Placed to Integrate, Lead, and Expand a Strategic Business Unit
TL;DR – Niche Executive Search with Long-Term Impact
A client in the energy services sector needed a midstream corrosion engineer with a rare certification, leadership capability, and commercial acumen to lead a newly acquired business unit.
TLR Search conducted a targeted, relationship-driven executive search that surfaced a uniquely qualified leader, even after the client’s internal efforts had exhausted known networks.
Challenge: Technical Leadership Role with a Rare Skill Mix, Including a Specific Corrosion Engineering Certificate
Challenge Summary: The company’s growth and integration goals were at risk without a corrosion engineer who could lead a business and build new client relationships.
A client had just acquired a company and needed a new general manager to lead and grow the business. The ideal candidate would have:
Deep technical expertise in corrosion engineering
A hard-to-find industry certification
Experience leading technical teams
Business development and client-facing skills
The ability to integrate into a new leadership structure and scale operations
Internal leadership had already contacted their known networks, feeling they had exhausted available candidates. As one leader shared: “We know everyone, and no one’s available or interested.”
Without the right hire, both the acquisition’s momentum and the integration plan risked stalling.
Solution: Retained Executive Search and High-Touch Candidate Engagement
Solution Summary: TLR Search built a fresh, confidential search strategy that connected with technical leaders ready to grow into business management roles.
TLR Search stepped in with a clean slate and a specialized search approach tailored to the energy and industrial sector.
We:
Mapped the corrosion engineering talent market to identify candidates with both technical expertise and leadership potential
Engaged passive candidates who hadn’t yet explored leadership roles outside of their technical path
Positioned the role as a rare opportunity to lead a business unit and drive long-term growth
Consulted with the client to expand expectations around transferable leadership traits
Within weeks, we surfaced strong candidates the internal team had not previously reached or considered.
Result: A Strategic Hire to Lead Growth and Integration
Result Summary: A hesitant but high-potential candidate became the key leader driving growth, alignment, and cohesion across the new business unit.
The finalist candidate was initially hesitant but intrigued by the leadership opportunity. Through ongoing conversations, TLR Search helped the candidate visualize how this role aligned with their long-term career goals.
They accepted the offer and went on to:
Lead the newly acquired business unit
Build a business development strategy that balances technical excellence with market expansion.
Bring cohesion between the acquired company and the parent organization.
This search brought together technical depth, leadership acumen, and commercial alignment, precisely the kind of hire TLR Search delivers for complex, high-impact energy, chemical, and industrial roles.
Looking for rare technical leaders with growth potential?
We help energy, industrial, and chemical companies make pivotal hires that drive integration, growth, and long-term value.
Next Step:
→ Explore more executive search case studies
→ Learn how we help companies hire technical leaders who grow with the business
→ Contact TLR Search for a confidential search consultation