Senior Research Engineer - Polymer Materials

Company Overview

James Hardie is a global leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, offering products such as fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite decking and railing, and PVC decking and railing. Its portfolio includes trusted brands like Hardie®, TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and StruXure®.

The company employs more than 8,000 people worldwide, with its U.S. operating businesses based in Chicago. It operates 31 production sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers around the world. The organization is driven by a mission of building a better future through sustainable innovation, a zero-harm mindset, and support for its employees and communities.

Role Summary

The Senior Research Engineer / Scientist – Polymer Materials will help develop, improve, and implement PVC material technologies for durable, high-performance building products. The role calls for strong expertise in polymer science and polymer engineering, especially around PVC chemistry, processing, physics, and the links between structure, processing, and properties. The position connects laboratory research with manufacturing-scale application.

Key Responsibilities

Polymer formulation and materials development: Create, refine, and assess PVC formulations covering base resins, stabilizers, lubricants, impact modifiers, process aids, fillers, and pigments. Use core polymer science concepts such as thermodynamics, viscoelasticity, molecular weight behavior, phase behavior, and degradation to shape formulation decisions. Apply a solid understanding of PVC behavior, including fusion and gelation, thermal stability, shear response, rheology, and morphology. Build and analyze structure-property-processing relationships to achieve the right balance of durability, strength, surface finish, and manufacturability. Perform lab-scale compounding, extrusion, and molding to support new products, cost improvement, and sustainability goals. Use AI-assisted material characterization and formulation development.

Process and manufacturing support: Assist with PVC extrusion and compounding operations, including resolving formulation-related issues such as surface defects, instability, degradation, dimensional variation, and limited throughput. Apply processing fundamentals like heat transfer, shear and elongational flow, residence time, die swell, cooling, and orientation effects to identify and correct production problems. Work closely with manufacturing, quality, and process engineering teams to move lab formulations into stable, high-yield production. Support pilot and plant trials.

Testing and characterization: Plan and run experiments using thermal, mechanical, rheological, and environmental testing methods such as DSC, TGA, DMA, rheometry, weathering, impact, tensile, and flexural testing. Interpret results using a first-principles understanding of polymer behavior and PVC response. Keep documentation thorough and technically accurate.

Project management and communication: Organize and deliver technical projects with defined scope and milestones. Explain complex polymer topics clearly in reports and presentations. Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Qualifications

Required: A PhD in Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, or Chemical Engineering with 0 to 7 years of experience, or an MS degree with 3 to 10 years of experience. Strong fundamentals in polymer chemistry and polymer engineering are essential, along with a deep grasp of PVC stabilization chemistry, fusion behavior, degradation mechanisms, and extrusion processing. Experience using AI-assisted approaches for material characterization and formulation development in composite materials is required. Strong written and verbal communication skills are also needed. The role involves travel of about 35%, mostly within the domestic market.

Preferred: Prior hands-on experience with PVC compounding, extrusion, or formulation work is desirable, as is exposure to high-volume manufacturing or pilot-scale operations. Familiarity with building materials and durability performance requirements is an advantage.

Compensation and Benefits

The estimated pay range for this role at the time of posting is USD 120,000 to 135,000 per year. Final placement within the range will depend on factors such as experience, skills, geography, and internal equity, and may change over time. The position is eligible for benefits and participation in a bonus plan.

• Competitive pay with bonus eligibility
• Health coverage starting on day one, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
• Vacation time and company holidays
• 401(k) plan with a 6% company match
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESP)
• Parental leave and wellness programs
• Sustainability-focused initiatives and community impact opportunities

Additional Information

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other legally protected status.

The company will comply with applicable state and local employee leave laws, including the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in line with its plans and policies.

The duties described in this posting are not exhaustive. Other tasks, responsibilities, and qualifications may be assigned as needed.