Research & Development Summer Intern - TPO & PVC Raw Material Evaluations for Cost Optimization

Continental • Winchester, VA

3h

About The Position

Join Continental's Research & Development team to work hands-on with cutting-edge materials used in automotive interiors and high-performance PVC applications. This internship is perfect for students passionate about materials science, chemistry, engineering, and product development.
About the Project:
You will support active development projects focused on optimizing formulations for Thermoplastic Olefin (TPO) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) products. These materials are essential for automotive interiors, pool liners, deck coverings, and more.
As part of the R&D team, you will help identify opportunities to reduce raw material costs while maintaining strict performance standards such as environmental resistance, durability, appearance retention, and manufacturability.
Project Deliverables:
Identify and define potential raw material substitutions for TPO and PVC formulations.
Compound new and existing formulations for evaluation.
Assess processing characteristics such as calendering and internal mixing.
Conduct performance testing based on automotive and industry standards.
Analyze test data and prepare a final recommendation report.
End-of-Internship Presentation to Leadership Team
During this internship, you will gain practical experience in:
Automotive & LivTec industry materials (TPO and PVC).
Product development and testing methodologies.
Compounding, processing, and formulation chemistry.
OEM performance requirements and internal evaluation processes.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a U.S.-accredited college, university, or technical school with a minimum 2.8 GPA.
• Pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Engineering, or Chemistry, or a related field of study.
• Proficient in MS Office Suite, Outlook & Internet applications.
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Sponsorship for employment visas is not available now or in the future for this role.
• Applicants must be able to work in a manufacturing industrial environment and be able to wear personal protective equipment such as safety boots, safety glasses, hearing protection, etc.
• Safety is our highest priority and safety procedures and guidelines must always be adhered to.

Responsibilities

• Weighing and preparing raw materials for compounding.
• Working with lab technicians on mill and processing evaluations.
• Conducting mechanical, environmental, and performance testing.
• Documenting and summarizing test results.
• Supporting additional R&D tasks as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay
• Hands-on Experience with the Team
• Project Experience
• Networking Opportunity
• On-Site Gym
• And more benefits that come with working for a global industry leader!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern