R&D Engineering Intern, Climate Resilience

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, Timber Tech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and Stru Xure®.
With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.
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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.

Internship Objective

Gain hands‑on experience in climate resilience research by developing models and physical test methods that replicate real‑world climatic and natural hazard conditions. The intern will evaluate product and system performance under exposures such as extreme heat and hail, analyze results, and produce findings that support product optimization and risk assessment for warranty and industry education purposes.

By the end of the internship, the intern will:

• Develop and validate methods for predicting product and system responses to climatic and natural hazard conditions.
• Apply laboratory testing, modeling, and data analysis techniques to evaluate building product performance.
• Translate research findings into clear technical documentation and recommendations for project teams.

Research Method Development

• Assist in developing models and test methods that evaluate building product performance under climatic and natural hazard exposures.
• Help design laboratory methods that simulate relevant real‑world environmental conditions.

Testing and Analysis

• Support laboratory testing, data collection, performance assessment, and interpretation of results.
• Use approved analytical tools to evaluate model outputs and experimental data.

Risk Evaluation and Communication

• Contribute to risk‑evaluation frameworks used for product development, warranty assessment, and industry education.
• Prepare technical documentation and present research findings, recommendations, and proposed next steps to project teams.

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in a relevant discipline at an accredited university, with an anticipated graduation between December 2027 and May 2029 (rising junior or rising senior).
• Strong academic performance with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Available to work full‑time for 12 weeks during summer 2027.
• Reliable transportation to and from the work location.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred Skills

• Pursuing a degree in engineering, materials science, building science, or a related technical field.
• Laboratory testing and experimental design experience.
• Experience with Excel, Python, Minitab, or similar analytical tools.
• Interest in climate resilience, natural hazards, and building product performance.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, teamwork, technical writing, and presentation…