R&D Commercial Product Development Engineer Intern

BMI Suomi (Icopal Oy, Icopal Katto Oy, Ormax Tiilikatot); United States; On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

GAF is seeking a highly motivated intern for a 3-month R&D Digital Transformation role. You will bridge experimental formulation chemistry with data science, build predictive models, design DOE campaigns, and implement structured workflows in LIMS and ELN.

You will work with formulation scientists and R&D leaders to curate data, develop dashboards, and contribute to knowledge management initiatives across the lab environment.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related scientific/engineering discipline.
• Proficiency with Python, statistical DOE tools, and Google Workspace; exposure to generative AI platforms.

Responsibilities

• Extract, clean, and standardize historical datasets from LIMS and records.
• Perform automated statistical analyses to uncover ingredient-property relationships.
• Develop analytical summaries and dashboards for R&D stakeholders.
• Train and fine-tune machine learning models to predict material properties.
• Apply inverse prediction, optimization, and DOE campaigns for formulation design.
• Design multi-run DOE protocols balancing exploration with lab validation.
• Assist in configuring LIMS templates and ELN procedures.
• Link raw materials, processing steps, and results into a data pipeline.

Skills

Python

Machine learning concepts

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry/Engineering/Materials Science

Tools

LIMS/ELN platforms

Google Workspace

Jupyter/Python environment

Job description

Job Title: R&D Commercial Product Development Engineer Intern

At GAF, we cover more than just buildings. We cover each other. Under this roof, you will have the tools and resources you need to begin, grow, and develop in your career. Under this roof, you will experience our incredible culture and be empowered to support your teammates, your customers and especially your community through collaboration. Under this roof, we define the future while leading the present through our commitment to continuous improvement and never being satisfied with the status quo. We are GAF. And under this roof, we protect what matters most.

Introduction: At GAF, we cover more than buildings. We cover each other. No matter what role, tenure, or track, under this roof you are empowered to be there for your teammates, your customers, and especially your community. Under this roof, we don’t back down from hard work– we support one another in pursuit of something bigger. We define the future while leading the present. And under this roof, we own our opportunities. Becoming the market leader only happens when everyone feels they have the opportunity, and the support, to thrive. We are GAF. And under this roof, we protect what matters most.

Summary: We are seeking a highly motivated and technically minded candidate for a 3-month internship within our R&D Digital Transformation group. This role bridges experimental formulation chemistry with modern data science, self-service machine learning, and laboratory automation platforms. Working directly alongside formulation scientists and R&D leaders, the intern will aggregate and refine historical trial data, build predictive machine learning models, design adaptive Design of Experiments (DOE) campaigns, and establish structured workflows within our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN).

Essential Duties:

• Extract, clean, and standardize complex historical formulation datasets from legacy spreadsheets, LIMS, and experimental records.
• Perform automated statistical analyses to uncover critical ingredient-property relationships.
• Develop analytical summaries and interactive dashboards to present insights to R&D stakeholders.
• Train, evaluate, and fine-tune supervised machine learning models to accurately predict physical, mechanical, and rheological material properties.
• Apply inverse prediction algorithms, optimization techniques, and grid searches to identify candidate formulation recipes.
• Design multi-run DOE test protocols that effectively balance data exploration with practical laboratory validation.
• Assist in configuring LIMS templates and structured ELN procedures to streamline benchtop data capture.
• Standardize end-to-end work orders connecting raw material formulations, processing steps, and characterization results into a seamless data pipeline.
• Support digital knowledge management initiatives by organizing, tagging, and integrating technical literature, reports, and standard operating procedures into central repositories.

Under This Roof, We Require Education:

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related scientific/engineering discipline.

Programming & Software:

Proficiency with Python, statistical DOE tools, Google Workspace, and exposure to generative AI platforms.

Domain Knowledge:

Solid foundational knowledge of general chemistry, material science, polymer chemistry, formulation principles, and analytical characterization.

Communication & Collaboration:

Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to translate complex data science concepts into clear insights for experimental scientists and leadership.

Under This Roof, We Also Value Hands-on experience with LIMS or Electronic Lab Notebook (ELN) platforms.

• Familiarity with applied machine learning in chemistry or materials science (e.g., ensemble modeling, multi-objective optimization, transfer learning).
• Practical experience constructing agentic workflows or automated solution pipelines.
• Prior wet lab or industrial chemistry laboratory experience.

How We Protect What Matters Most

Professional growth and development are very important to us! We offer internal training programs and courses, in addition to our on the job experiences. We put diversity and inclusion into action with our Employee Resource Groups, which unite employees based on common perspectives, identities, demographic factors, or out of a desire to be an ally. GAF complies with federal, state, and local disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR Services at 833-HR-XPERT.

Pay Transparency

Base salary and/or rate of pay ranges listed are exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. Individual compensation offers will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to geographic location, relevant candidate experience and skill, education, and/or qualifications. Base Hourly Rate: $20.00 GAF complies with federal, state, and local disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR Services at 833-HR-XPERT.

Privacy Notice Applicant Notice

With 130+ years in the industry, GAF is the leading roofing manufacturer in North America. As a member of the Standard Industries family of companies, we are also part of the largest roofing and waterproofing business in the world. Our communities help give our work meaning and the products we manufacture help protect what matters most. The shingles help to shelter the families living in the homes in our towns. The TPO helps protect what is under that hospital’s roof. In addition to quality products, we make sure they are installed by quality craftsmen and women. The full GAF portfolio of solutions is supported by an extensive national network of factory-certified contractors. GAF continues to be the leader in quality and offers comprehensive warranty protection on its products and systems. Our success is driven by a commitment to empowering our people to deliver advanced quality and purposeful innovation and the desire to protect what matters most.