Carmen Jerg’s journey began in the chemistry labs of the Julius Maximilians University of Würzburg, where she earned both her diploma and Ph.D. with top marks. Her early research focused on synthesizing contrast agents for MRI, laying a strong foundation in applied chemistry. She continued at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, managing projects on thin-film coatings for renewable energy applications, gaining hands-on experience with PVD technologies long before they became part of her daily work.
When she joined Oerlikon nearly a decade ago, she entered a world she admits she did not fully understand yet - a world of advanced surface technologies, multi-year customer projects, and microscopic coatings that protect billion-dollar aerospace components. But she was curious. And that curiosity turned into purpose.
From customer solutions to the core of R&D
Presenting at the "Navigating a greener sky" conference in Limoges, 2024.
Carmen’s early work in the Global Customer Solution Center gave her a foundation in the realities of customer demands – tight specs, long qualification processes and products that simply must perform. After seven years, she transitioned to R&D as a senior project manager, leading the development of coatings designed for extreme aerospace environments. Carmen explains:
“In aerospace, there is no room for "almost". Every micron of coating matters - these coatings protect components from failure and extend their lifespan significantly. And in an industry where downtime is costly and safety is critical; that is a major contribution.”
Transferring a project to production in Mexico.
Carmen began her career in project management, but her fascination with the scientific principles underpinning coating technologies led her to pursue further expertise in the field. Today, Carmen leads aerospace product management for service components and is a strategic account manager working with some of the world’s top aviation customers. Her journey is a case study of what happens when technical ambition meets long-term opportunity.
For her, the international aspect of the job is one of the most rewarding: working side by side with teams around the world, understanding their challenges, celebrating their successes, and often building friendships along the way. During one long‑term project in Mexico, the collaboration went far beyond technical work - Carmen was even invited to be one of the bridesmaids at a colleague’s wedding, a gesture that reflects the trust and connection she fosters globally.
Collaboration, the aerospace way
BALORA® PVD MCrAlY
Among her achievements was qualifying BALINIT® Turbine Pro, an erosion-resistant and anti-corrosion coating, now qualified for high-pressure compressors.
She also played a pivotal role in developing BALORA® PVD MCrAlY – an oxidation – and hot corrosion-resistant PVD coating designed for the most thermally stressed areas of the engine, including the high- and low-pressure turbines. She is now industrializing this technology in her new role.
Together, these developments strengthen the foundation for next‑generation engine durability and performance.
At the Paris Airshow, 2025
One of the most surprising aspects of working in aerospace, Carmen says, is the level of partnership between customers and suppliers. Far from being a typical vendor relationship, it is a deeply collaborative process that can stretch over many years. Projects often take five to ten years from initial concept to full qualification, with constant iteration along the way.
"You do not just deliver a product – you co-create a solution. That is what makes it exciting," Carmen says. "It is never just about hitting a spec. It is about understanding what the customer really needs – and sometimes even what they do not yet know they will need."
This kind of long-term engagement means technical expertise must be matched by strategic thinking and adaptability.
Innovation with purpose
Carmen sees her work as part of a much larger story: the transformation of aerospace into a more efficient, sustainable industry. Whether through lightweight materials for additive manufacturing or advanced coatings that enable engines to run hotter and cleaner, she believes technical detail can drive meaningful change. Over nearly a decade at Oerlikon, she has moved from customer-facing roles to deep R&D and now product strategy - a journey that reflects both her curiosity and the opportunities for growth within the company.
“Every time we make a part last longer or weigh less, we help reduce fuel use, maintenance needs and emissions,” she says. “That is not just engineering - that is impact.”
For Carmen, aerospace is not only about pilots and rocket scientists. It is a multidisciplinary field that needs engineers, of course, but also data analysts, quality specialists and commercial thinkers. If you are curious and persistent, she believes, there is a place for you – and a career that can truly take off.
Visiting GE Aerospace with a Fan blade.