Onsite R&D Lab Technician: Product Development

Westlake Chemical Corporation; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Pipe & Fittings, a Westlake division, is seeking an R&D Technician to provide hands-on lab and engineering support to advance product development, testing, and plant initiatives. This role blends technical lab execution with administrative tasks to keep lab operations efficient.

On-site in our Leola, PA office with occasional work at Wayne, PA R&D; responsibilities include weighing, blending, preparing materials for development trials, assembling and testing pipe samples, machining,

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).
• General computer skills, experience with Microsoft Office (e.g., Excel, Outlook, Word) preferred.

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.

Skills

Machining

Welding

Lab testing

Measurement tools

Technical aptitude

Microsoft Office

Education

Technical field degree

Tools

Shop equipment

Job description

Westlake Pipe & Fittings, a Westlake division, is seeking an R&D Technician to provide hands-on lab and engineering support to advance product development, testing, and plant initiatives. This role blends technical lab execution with administrative tasks to keep lab operations efficient.

On-site in our Leola, PA office with occasional work at Wayne, PA R&D; responsibilities include weighing, blending, preparing materials for development trials, assembling and testing pipe samples, machining,