Materials Engineer

Westlake Royal Building Products; Bristol (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Royal Building Products in Bristol, TN is seeking a Materials Engineer to drive formulation innovation, process improvement, and manufacturing performance. You will work with operations, R&D, suppliers, and leaders to optimize compounds and support new product development.

This hands-on role emphasizes cross‑functional collaboration, data‑driven decisions, and improving quality, efficiency, and product performance on extrusion and compounding platforms.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials or Plastics Engineering.
• 3–5 years of hands-on plastics compounding experience, ideally in PVC extrusion or similar manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, testing, and implementation of new material compounds to support productivity, quality, and business goals.
• Develop standard work and scalable evaluation processes for compounding changes across production platforms.
• Use DOE and other analyses to assess formulation changes and their impact on manufacturing performance.
• Partner with operations, R&D, and leadership to solve production issues, improve processes, and support product development.
• Coordinate laboratory work, pilot trials, and production trials to improve product performance and reduce scrap.
• Analyze data using statistical tools and communicate findings to technical and operational stakeholders.
• Collaborate with suppliers to stay current on raw materials, equipment, and industry developments.
• Support formulation cost analysis, capital planning, and process improvement initiatives.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Data-driven decision making

Statistical analysis

Project management

Communication skills

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelors in Mechanical/Chemical/Materials/Plastics Engineering

Tools

DOE methods

Statistical software (e.g., Minitab/JMP)

Job description

Westlake is hiring a Materials Engineer in Bristol, TN to help drive formulation innovation, process improvement, and manufacturing performance. In this role, you will work closely with operations, R&D, suppliers, and business leaders to optimize compounds, solve production challenges, and support new product development. This is a strong opportunity for an engineer who enjoys hands‑on plant support, cross‑functional collaboration, and using data to improve quality, efficiency, and product performance.

Why Join Us

• Make a direct impact on product and process innovation in a hands‑on manufacturing environment.
• Collaborate with operations, R&D, and suppliers to improve quality, performance, and cost efficiency.
• Step into a high‑visibility role where your technical expertise will help shape new products, improve plant performance, and drive measurable business impact.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development, testing, and implementation of new material compounds to support productivity, quality, and business objectives.
• Develop standard work and scalable processes for evaluating and implementing compounding changes across production platforms.
• Use design of experiments and other analytical methods to assess formulation changes and their impact on manufacturing performance.
• Partner with operations, R&D, and leadership to solve production issues, improve processes, and support new product development.
• Coordinate laboratory work, pilot trials, and production trials to improve product performance, reduce scrap, and optimize cost efficiency.
• Analyze data using statistical tools and communicate findings clearly to technical and operational stakeholders.
• Collaborate with suppliers to stay current on new raw materials, equipment, and industry developments.
• Support formulation cost analysis, capital planning, and process improvement initiatives related to existing and new products.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree from an ABET‑accredited university in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or Plastics Engineering.
• 3 to 5 years of hands‑on plastics compounding experience, ideally in rigid or foamed PVC extrusion or a similar chemical or physical manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PVC extrusion processes and polymer formulation development.
• Knowledge of Six Sigma methodologies and tools such as DOE, DMAIC, FMEA, Fishbone, and 5‑Why analysis.
• Green Belt or Black Belt certification.

Skills For Success

• Strong collaborative problem‑solving skills in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to make data‑driven decisions to support compounding and extrusion plant operations.
• Strong organization, project management, and task prioritization skills.
• Ability to define problems, execute trials, analyze data, draw sound conclusions, and build consensus across technical and operational teams.
• Knowledge of polymer chemistry, manufacturing processes, testing, and material analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across all levels of the organization.
• Ability to build collaborative working relationships with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this role, the employee is regularly required to sit and frequently required to stand, walk, use hands, reach, and communicate. The role may occasionally require stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling. 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 include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. May require air or auto travel up to 10% of the time to support sites across North America.

Work Environment

This role is based in a moderate‑noise office environment with periodic travel to manufacturing facilities. Facility environments may include elevated noise levels, exposure to weather elements, proximity to moving equipment, and climbing ladders. Appropriate personal protective equipment, including hearing protection, steel‑toe shoes, safety glasses, and hard hats, may be required while working in a facility.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance people’s lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate. Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.