Industrial R&D Technician

Westlake Chemical; Leola (PA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Pipe & Fittings in Leola, PA is seeking an R&D Technician to provide hands-on lab and engineering support for product development, testing, and plant initiatives. The role blends lab execution with administrative coordination, ensuring efficient lab operations and accurate engineering activity tracking.

The ideal candidate has a technical background, hands-on assembly/testing experience, and strong organization skills.

Qualifications

• Education background in technical field with experience in technical or trade fields.
• Hands-on experience with assembly, testing, technical construction, lab work or similar.
• Demonstrated mechanical and technical aptitude (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 Leola, PA and Wayne, PA.

Responsibilities

• R&D / Laboratory Support: 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.
• Maintain lab organization, equipment readiness, and material inventory/flow.
• Support prototype development and act as a technical resource for machine shop activities.
• Administrative & Project Support: process 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.
• Maintain essential administrative processes required to support site operations.

Skills

Hands-on lab experience

Microsoft Office

Strong organizational skills

Mechanical/technical aptitude

Machining

Welding

Measurement tools

Education

Technical field degree

Tools

Machining

Welding

Measurement tools

Lab equipment

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.

Westlake Pipe & Fittings, a Westlake division (NYSE:WLK), is one of the largest polyvinyl chloride pipe and fittings manufacturer in North America. With 23 manufacturing and distribution locations, the company supplies gasketed, solvent weld and restrained joint pipes and a wide range of fittings for a diverse list of markets including municipal water and sewer, plumbing, water well, pool and spa, and agricultural and turf irrigation. Westlake Pipe & Fittings is an industry leader in product development with Certa-Lok spline-lock technology and product systems that are focused on building A Better Foundation. To learn more, visit the website at WestlakePipe.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

SUMMARY

The R&D Technician provides hands-on laboratory and engineering support to advance product development, testing, and plant initiatives. This role combines technical lab execution with administrative and project coordination responsibilities, ensuring efficient lab operations and accurate tracking of engineering activities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

R&D / Laboratory Support (Approx. 75%)

• 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

Administrative & Project Support (Approx. 25%)

• 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

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND 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

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position has a transitioning work environment. Office/computer, manufacturing plant. The noise level in the plant environment is usually high, as normal for a manufacturing plant. Some of the work in the operating units may require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, steel toe shoes, fall protection, hard hats, etc.

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