Materials Engineer - Plastics Formulation & Process Improvement

Westlake Chemical; Belle Brook Estates (TN); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical in Bristol, TN is seeking a Materials Engineer to drive formulation innovation and process improvements. You will collaborate with operations, R&D, suppliers, and business leaders to optimize compounds, troubleshoot production challenges, and support new product development.

You will lead lab and pilot trials, analyze data, and implement scalable processes to improve quality, efficiency, and product performance across production platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from ABET-accredited university in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or Plastics Engineering.
• 3–5 years hands-on plastics compounding experience, preferably in PVC extrusion or similar.
• Knowledge of DOE, DMAIC, FMEA, Fishbone, and 5-Why analysis; Green/Black Belt a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead 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 DOE and other analytical methods to assess formulation changes and impact on manufacturing performance.
• Collaborate with operations, R&D, and leadership to solve production issues and support new product development.
• Coordinate laboratory work, pilot trials, and production trials to improve product performance and reduce scrap.
• Analyze data with statistical tools and communicate findings to technical and operational stakeholders.
• Stay current on new raw materials, equipment, and industry developments to support cost efficiency.
• Support formulation cost analysis, capital planning, and process improvement initiatives.

Skills

Collaborative problem-solving

Data-driven decision making

Project management

Strong communication

Analytical thinking

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelors in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or Plastics Engineering

Tools

DOE

DMAIC

FMEA

Fishbone

5-Why analysis

Six Sigma

Job description

Westlake Chemical in Bristol, TN is seeking a Materials Engineer to drive formulation innovation and process improvements. You will collaborate with operations, R&D, suppliers, and business leaders to optimize compounds, troubleshoot production challenges, and support new product development.

You will lead lab and pilot trials, analyze data, and implement scalable processes to improve quality, efficiency, and product performance across production platforms.