Principal Research Engineer

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is the North American leader in fiber cement home siding and exterior design solutions. Hardie® products offer long lasting beauty and endless design possibilities with trusted protection and low maintenance. The company pioneered modern fiber cement building products and continues to invest in innovation to transform the industry. James Hardie is a high-performance organization, with an unwavering commitment to Zero Harm. The company proudly employs a diverse workforce of over 3,000 employees across operations in North America.

Make your dream career a reality. It’s possible!

On-site role at our Fontana R&D location

As the Principal Research Engineer, you will be responsible for the delivery of R&D projects from concept to implementation, focusing on manufacturing technical innovation, cost reduction and quality improvement of new products and processes. To perform this work requires an experienced, motivated, flexible and performance driven Research Engineer to support the R&D business in delivering results and driving projects forward. This will involve working closely with teams from Research, Product Development, Manufacturing Operations, Construction & External Partners to deliver results for the organization. In addition, you will coach and mentor other team members to build on capabilities for the business.

What You’ll Do: 

• Drive the delivery of all technical tasks for a project autonomously from concept to implementation, including commissioning, where necessary, prior to hand over to the appropriate team.
• The development of clear project scopes with detailed timelines.
• Project management, including multiple, complex projects. 
• Whilst understanding our existing processes look at ways to improve, innovate and deliver additional capabilities.
• Identifying gaps in current technologies and developing plans and roadmaps to close said gaps and drive the design of equipment and capital requests to acquire the same
• Participate and own the planning, preparing, and running trials of new and existing equipment and technologies
• Regular update and presentation of projects to shape and get agreement on plan, direction and technical deliverables to the senior leadership team.
• Develop job and technical knowledge to maintain expert level in relevant discipline.
• Collaborate effectively with manufacturing personnel, vendors and suppliers to deliver the best solution to the business.
• Coach and Mentor junior engineers and scientists sharing expertise and information with others;
• Ensure that James Hardie’s operations are in line with Work Health and Safety Requirements at all times.
• Report any incidents, hazards, near misses or “at-risk” behaviours in a timely fashion.
• Comply with any reasonable request related to health and safety including attending health and safety related training, participating in health and safety initiatives / activities and ensuring that either your acts or omissions do not place any person at risk.
• Providing supervision and training to others to allow them to perform their work safely.
• Responding to any hazard or incident that is raised by another James Hardie team member and provide or seek the support required to allow them to work safely and respond to the identified workplace issue.
• The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all-encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities and qualifications may be required and/or assigned, as necessary.

The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing.  Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.

What You’ll Bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in Process/Chemical Engineering/Mechanical engineering or any relevant degree that supports an improvement/manufacturing mindset. Advanced degree in relevant field preferred.
• Possesses a strong network of external manufacturing-related specialists and understands how to take a concept or brief and implement in a manufacturing environment.

• Preferred 10+ year’s relevant experience in developing or implementing new manufacturing technologies
• Demonstrated ability to take user briefs, concepts and product development requirements and work with key partners to implement the technologies required on a R&D scale with the ability to scale up.
• A big picture outlook focusing on technology development and commercialization.
• Strong interpersonal and oral/written communication skills with the ability to relate well and co-operate with people at all levels.
• Manufacturing engineering experience with strong project management.
• Ability to work with internal and external resources to solve problems and implement manufacturing solutions
• Demonstrated advanced skills with computing software

• Demonstrated experience in delivering projects from R&D development to factory implementation is desirable

• Demonstrated experience in developing new manufacturing technologies
• Demonstrated experience in planning and executing R&D and factory trials desirable
• Demonstrated experience in research and development desirable
• Demonstrated experience in project engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, prototype and demonstrate new ideas quickly and safely.
• Demonstrated ability to participate in many projects concurrently and flexibility to quickly change focus to meet the challenging business requirements of Research and Development.

What You’ll Receive:

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $130,000 to $150,000. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time. This position qualifies for benefits, and you will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan.

Benefits available include:

• Comprehensive low-cost co-pay medical insurance; as well as vision insurance benefits for every 30+ hour full-time employee. Insurance starts on day one!
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance

• 401(k) Retirement plan that will match 100% of employees saved dollars up to the first 6% of your salary

• Paid Time Off
• 11 paid holidays per year, paid vacation including Jury Duty and bereavement leave
• Paid sick leave
• Wellness Program, Employee Assistance Program and Parental Leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Community Involvement & Sustainable Solutions - Fire Resistant Siding to Help Rebuild the Grizzly Flats Community | James Hardie
• Visit JH Benefits At A Glance 2025 to learn more about our benefits.

James Hardie will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies.

Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis.

Apply now and come “home” to Hardie!’

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James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.