R&D Intern - Chemical Engineering/Materials Science

Summary

As an intern at James Hardie, you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in your chosen field, whether it be HR, Engineering, Finance, Marketing, IT, or another function. This is a 12-week paid internship program designed to provide you with valuable insights into the industry, enhance your skills, and prepare you for a successful career. You will work closely with experienced professionals, contributing to real projects that impact our business. Additionally, you will have access to exclusive mentoring opportunities to help guide your professional development. 

Internship Objective: Demonstrate lab‑scale feasibility for synthesizing an inorganic filler capable of improving materials properties in polymer filled composites.  

What You’ll Do:

General Responsibilities: 

• Work with team members on diverse projects and tasks. 
• Perform research and analysis to aid project objectives. 
• Create reports, presentations, and necessary documentation. 
• Engage in team meetings and share ideas. 
• Learn and implement industry best practices and company standards. 

Engineering Responsibilities:  

• Conduct a focused review of relevant technical literature
• Develop a DoE (Desing of Experiments)‑based experimental plan 
• Execute lab trials and collect experimental data
• Perform data analysis and interpret results
• Present findings, insights, and conclusions to the R&D technical community 

What You’ll Bring:

• Must be enrolled in a bachelor's program in a relevant discipline at an accredited university, with an anticipated graduation date between December 2026 and May 2028 (rising junior or rising senior). 
• Demonstrated strong academic performance with a minimum GPA of 3.0. 
• Must be available to work full-time for 12 weeks during the summer of 2026. 
• Must have reliable transportation to and from the work location. 
• Must be authorized to work in the US.

Preferred Skills:   

• Target major: Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or Chemistry. 
• Chemical engineering fundamentals and materials understanding 
• Technical literature review and synthesis; Technical documentations and reporting 
• Preparation and delivery of technical presentations 
• Design of Experiments (DoE) fundamentals 
• Hands‑on laboratory experimentation and data generation  
• Basic data analysis and interpretation 
• Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, and Word 
• Structured problem‑solving and attention to detail 
• Teamwork, communication, and time‑management skills 

What You’ll Receive:

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $22 to $25. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography, and may change over time. 

• Full-time work experience and competitive pay 
• Meaningful projects
• Mentorship and guidance
• Feedback and evaluation
• Company culture
• Networking opportunities and skill development