Process Engineer, Building Products

Westlake•Salisbury, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Westlake is seeking a Process Engineer for their Salisbury, NC composite siding and trim manufacturing facility. This role will lead process engineering initiatives to enhance safety, productivity, and efficiency. A strong drive for continuous improvement and operational excellence is essential. The Process Engineer will collaborate closely with production, quality, formulation, capital engineering, and product development teams. Building and maintaining professional relationships is key to achieving organizational goals. The position requires the candidate to reside in or near Salisbury, NC, or be willing to relocate, and may involve up to 10% travel to support other Westlake sites.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) from an ABET-accredited university in Mechanical, Chemical, Materials, or Industrial Engineering.
Minimum 3 to 5 years of functional and HANDS-ON process engineering experience, preferably within polymer injection molding & extrusion processes or other physical/chemical production environments.
Exceptional ability to collaboratively solve challenging problems.
Demonstrated ability to make data-driven decisions to identify root causes of production issues.
Ability to organize data, people, and tasks.
Leadership skills.
Strong working knowledge of Westlake's products.
Problem-solving skills and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to interpret extensive technical instructions and deal with abstract and concrete variables.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, and build consensus.
Knowledge of the manufacture, testing, analysis, and application of Polymer chemistry.
Effectively communicate with all levels of employment both verbally and in writing.
Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to build collaborative working relationships across a diverse organization.

Nice To Haves

Six sigma green/black belt.
Knowledge of DOE, DMAIC, Fishbone, 5-Why, FMEA, statistical analysis, etc.

Responsibilities

Ensure all activities are conducted safely and professionally, holding others accountable.
Partner with R&D and Manufacturing to leverage gated processes for new product introductions.
Assist in capital equipment budget planning and specification for production improvements and new product development.
Interface with internal and external customers and stakeholders for strategic planning and problem-solving.
Analyze data using statistical software and communicate findings clearly.
Develop, trial, and implement new material compounds to meet business objectives.
Continuously improve production processes (rates, properties, densities, scrap reduction) using lab equipment and coordinating trials.
Develop collaborative relationships with suppliers to stay informed about new machinery and raw materials.
Retain samples and controls for production and sales as requested.
Provide regular project status updates to stakeholders via email, phone, and meetings.
Maintain electronic records of compound formulations and profile properties.
Assist in the development and testing of projects beyond extrusion, such as print rolls, heat transfer rolls, and injection molding.
Calculate formulation costs and material costs for management evaluation.
Attend trade shows, classes, and training seminars to maintain skills and learn about new industry developments.
Potentially serve as a technical representative in trade association meetings.
Ensure compliance with federal and state safety and environmental regulations.
Maintain constructive working relationships with all employees and supervisors/managers.
Perform other duties as assigned by the reporting manager.