Color Engineer

Westlake Chemical; United States; On-site; USD 97,000 - 126,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical is seeking a Color Engineer to develop, measure, and optimize color across multiple building products and manufacturing processes. You will ensure color consistency from formulation through production, balancing aesthetic targets with cost and process capability.

The role requires 5+ years in color formulation and measurement, experience with spectrophotometers and color software, and hands-on manufacturing expertise.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, material science or color science.
• Experience: 5+ years in color formulation, matching, or color quality control in building products.
• Deep understanding of color management and measurement tools.
• Experience with pigments, iron oxides, dispersions, additives and other color materials.
• Experience with spectrophotometers and color software.
• Familiarity with lighting conditions and visual assessment standards.
• Hands-on manufacturing experience.
• Proficiency in color measurement and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead color development and standardization across product lines.
• Employ advanced technologies for precise color application and matching.
• Optimize color-related costs to maximize performance and value.
• Implement color standards across manufacturing.
• Collaborate across Roofing and Stone organizations to integrate color science.
• Troubleshoot color variation in production and identify root causes.
• Design testing equipment and procedures to optimize color-related quality.
• Stay informed of color science advancements to foster innovation.
• Support and improve digital tools and databases used for color formulation and tracking.
• Evaluate and implement color-related equipment to improve consistency and efficiency.

Skills

Color measurement

Color matching

Analytical problem-solving

Communication across disciplines

Hands-on manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering

Chemistry

Material Science

Color Science related fields

Tools

Spectrophotometers

Color software

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. This role can sit out of one of our preferred plant locations: Location: Okeechobee, Fl, Lake Wales, Fl, Napa, CA, Rialto, CA, Greencastle, CA, Corona, CA

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, 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
• 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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

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

Company Overview

Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and innovative products that enhance life every day. Headquartered in Houston, with operations in Asia, Europe and North America, we provide the building blocks for vital solutions — from housing and construction, to packaging and healthcare, to automotive and consumer. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.westlake.com. Westlake (NYSE: WLK) is a global diversified industrial company that manufactures and supplies essential products that enhance the daily lives of people around the globe. Our products, now under a One Westlake brand, supply the necessary building blocks for everyday products across housing and infrastructure, packaging and healthcare, and automotive and consumer goods. Consumers gain the benefits of materials Westlake produces in products such as food packaging, medical devices, soaps and detergents, car interiors, fashion, toys, shoes, furniture, electronics, siding, stone veneer, windows, outdoor living, roofing, and pipe & fittings. Westlake is proud to contribute to driving a sustainable future through the creation of essential products that are Enhancing Your Life Every Day®.