Materials Engineer: PVC Formulation & Process Innovator

Westlake Chemical Corporation; Belle Brook Estates (TN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical Corporation seeks a Materials Engineer to drive formulation innovation, process improvement, and manufacturing performance in Bristol, TN. You will partner with operations, R&D, and suppliers to optimize compounds, solve production challenges, and support new product development.

The role requires a ABET‑accredited degree and 3–5 years of hands‑on plastics compounding experience, with knowledge of PVC extrusion processes and Six Sigma tools.

Qualifications

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

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 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.

Skills

Data-driven decisions

Collaborative problem-solving

Project management

Communication skills

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Mechanical/Chemical/Materials/Plastics Eng

Tools

DOE

DMAIC

FMEA

Fishbone

5-Why analysis

Job description

Westlake Chemical Corporation seeks a Materials Engineer to drive formulation innovation, process improvement, and manufacturing performance in Bristol, TN. You will partner with operations, R&D, and suppliers to optimize compounds, solve production challenges, and support new product development.

The role requires a ABET‑accredited degree and 3–5 years of hands‑on plastics compounding experience, with knowledge of PVC extrusion processes and Six Sigma tools.