R&D Intern, Coating

About the role

As a James Hardie intern, you will gain hands-on experience in your chosen field while contributing to meaningful projects that drive business results. Our 12-week paid internship program is designed to provide real-world industry exposure, strengthen your professional and technical skills, and help prepare you for a successful career. Throughout the program, you will collaborate with experienced professionals, build valuable relationships across the organization, and take on work that makes a measurable impact. You will also have access to mentoring opportunities and professional development resources to support your growth and career aspirations.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of innovative coating systems, application processes, and aesthetic solutions for next-generation building products.
• Partner with scientists and engineers on research and development initiatives focused on coatings, protective materials, and product performance enhancements.
• Gain hands-on experience in materials development, laboratory testing, project execution, cross-functional collaboration, and vendor engagement while contributing to projects that advance product innovation and manufacturing capabilities.
• Support the development of innovative building-product solutions aligned with manufacturing processes.
• Contribute to research and development projects focused on product enhancement, performance improvement, and aesthetic innovation.
• Support materials research and testing activities related to protective and performance-enhancing technologies.
• Complete laboratory assignments with quality and timeliness, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and provide regular updates on project progress and results.

Requirements

• Authorization to work in the United States.
• Reliable transportation to and from the work location.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in a relevant discipline at an accredited university, with an anticipated graduation date between December 2027 and May 2029 (rising junior or rising senior).
• Strong academic performance with a minimum GPA of 3.00.

Skills

• Target majors: chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science.
• Materials science knowledge, particularly in polymers.
• Resourcefulness and independent problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate across R&D, engineering, operations, project teams, and vendors.
• Ability to organize work and support project milestones.

Benefits

• Meaningful projects with business impact.
• Mentorship and guidance.
• Feedback and evaluation.
• Exposure to James Hardie culture.
• Networking opportunities and skill development.

Pay

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $20 to $25 per hour. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and may change over time.

Schedule

Full-time work for 12 weeks during summer 2027.