Industrial R&D Lab Technician – Materials & Testing

Westlake Pipe & Fittings; Wayne (PA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Pipe & Fittings in Pennsylvania is seeking an R&D Technician to provide hands-on laboratory and engineering support for product development, testing and plant initiatives. The role combines technical lab execution with administrative tasks and requires commuting daily to Leola or Wayne offices.

Responsibilities include weighing, blending and preparing materials, assembling and testing samples, performing machining and welding, maintaining lab organization and tracking engineering

Qualifications

• Education background in technical field with experience in technical or trade fields (e.g., engineering technology, manufacturing, industrial technology)
• Hands-on experience with assembly, testing, technical construction, lab work or similar
• Demonstrated mechanical and technical aptitude (e.g., machining, welding, measurement tools, lab testing)
• Exposure to lab operations, material handling, or shop environments preferred
• Strong organization skills with the ability to manage both technical and administrative tasks
• General computer skills, experience with Microsoft Office (e.g., Excel, Outlook, Word) preferred
• This is a fully onsite role. Must be able to commute daily to our Leola, PA office. Occasional work will also be required at our Wayne, PA R&D office
• Standard office hours with some flexibility

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary day-to-day lab technician supporting Engineering activities
• Weigh, blend, and prepare materials for development trials and testing
• Assemble and test pipe samples in support of R&D, product certification, and plant initiatives
• Perform hands-on technical work including machining, welding, and precision measurements (training provided as needed)
• Maintain lab organization, equipment readiness, and material inventory/flow
• Support prototype development and act as a technical resource for machine shop activities
• Process transactions including requisitions, purchase orders, coding, and invoice tracking
• Monitor and track Engineering project spend and related invoices
• Provide limited project coordination support, including scheduling and follow-up (approx. 1 day/week)
• Maintain essential administrative processes required to support site operations

Skills

Lab work

Machining

Welding

Measurement tools

Mechanical aptitude

Organization

Education

Technical field degree

Engineering technology background

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Westlake Pipe & Fittings in Pennsylvania is seeking an R&D Technician to provide hands-on laboratory and engineering support for product development, testing and plant initiatives. The role combines technical lab execution with administrative tasks and requires commuting daily to Leola or Wayne offices.

Responsibilities include weighing, blending and preparing materials, assembling and testing samples, performing machining and welding, maintaining lab organization and tracking engineering