Color Engineer

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

Job summary

Westlake Chemical in Rialto, California, is seeking a Color Engineer responsible for developing, measuring, controlling, and optimizing color in building products. The role ensures color consistency from formulation to production while balancing aesthetic and cost targets.

Candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree in relevant fields and have 5+ years of experience in color formulation or quality control. The position offers a competitive salary range of $97,000 to $126,000 per year, based on market data and candidate experience.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in color formulation, matching, or quality control.
• Deep understanding of color management and measurement tools.
• Hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead color development and standardization across product lines.
• Optimize color-related costs to maximize performance.
• Troubleshoot color variation in production and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Color measurement proficiency

Analytical thinking

Strong communication

Creativity

Hands-on approach

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, Chemistry, Material Science, or Color Science

Tools

Spectrophotometers

Color software

Automation systems

Job description

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

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

May include, but are not limited to, the following:

• 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 our 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

• 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 US 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 skillset. 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 requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities or may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. 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.