Color Engineer

Westlake Royal Building Products; Rialto (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Royal Building Products is seeking a Color Engineer to ensure color consistency across various building products. The role involves leading color development and standardization, employing advanced technologies for precise matching, and troubleshooting color issues in production.

Ideal candidates will have a strong background in color science and at least 5 years of relevant experience. The position offers a salary range of $97,000 - $126,000 per year, reflecting market conditions and individual expertise.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in color formulation, matching, or color quality control.
• Deep understanding of color management and measurement tools.
• Experience with pigments, dispersions, and other color-specific raw materials.
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead color development and standardization across multiple product lines.
• Implement color standards across manufacturing processes.
• Integrate color science into product development.
• Troubleshoot color variation in production.
• Design testing equipment and procedures to optimize color quality.

Skills

Proficiency in color measurement and techniques

Analytical and problem-solving acumen

Strong communication skills

Creativity in solving color-related challenges

Ability to translate visual requirements into metrics

Practical, hands-on mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or related fields

Tools

Spectrophotometers

Color software

Job description

Summary

The Color Engineer is responsible for the development, measurement, control, and optimization of color across multiple building products and their manufacturing processes. This role ensures color consistency from formulation through production to the final products, while balancing aesthetic targets, cost, and process capability.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Lead color development and standardization across multiple product lines, including defining tolerances, standards, and best practices.
• Employ advanced technologies for precise color application and matching.
• Optimize color‑related costs to maximize performance and value added.
• Implement color standards across the manufacturing organization.
• Integrate color science into product development, collaborating across the Roofing and Stone organization.
• Troubleshoot color variation in production, identifying root causes (raw materials, mixing, application, curing conditions, etc.) and implementing corrective actions.
• Design the testing equipment and procedures to optimize color‑related quality.
• Stay informed of advancements in color science to foster innovation.
• Support and improve digital tools and databases used for color formulation and tracking.
• Evaluate, select, and implement color‑related equipment (dispensing, mixing, and application systems) to improve consistency and efficiency.

Education, Experience and Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, material science, or color science related fields.

Experience

• 5+ years' experience in color formulation, matching, or color quality control, ideally in building products.
• Deep understanding of color management and measurement tools.
• Experience with pigments, iron oxides, dispersions, additives and other color specific raw materials.
• Experience with spectrophotometers and color software.
• Familiarity with lighting conditions and visual assessment standards.
• Experience with automation or inline color measurement systems.
• Hands‑on experience in a manufacturing environment.

Skills

• Proficiency in color measurement and techniques.
• Analytical and problem‑solving acumen.
• Strong communication skills for interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Creativity in solving color‑related material challenges.
• Ability to translate subjective visual requirements into objective metrics.
• Practical, hands‑on mindset.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Compensation

$97,000 - $126,000 per year. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. markets. The pay range is based on relevant market data in our lowest and highest geographic markets. Pay is based on several factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, experience, and skill set. Westlake is a total compensation company. Depending on the position offered, sign‑on payments, and other forms of compensation may be offered as part of a total compensation package (also to include a full range of medical and other benefits).

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job‑related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and may be modified to accommodate individuals with disabilities or exclude those who pose direct threat or risk to health or safety. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.