Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.
SUMMARY
We are looking for world-class talent to join our team as an Engineer in Lake Charles, LA. Westlake Chemical represents a new kind of chemistry company; one that works to responsibly harness applied chemistry to solve common problems, improve everyday life and drive human progress. Blending a strong, downstream building products business with core materials capabilities, Westlake Chemical delivers life-enhancing benefits. Westlake Chemical's chemical products can be found in high performance plastics, pulp and paper production packaging, chemical intermediates, pharmaceuticals, medical and agricultural applications and paints, acrylics and varnishes. With its scale and resources, Westlake Chemical is committed to being a leader in sustainable practices, a responsible environmental steward, and a force for progress.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position offers a unique and dynamic opportunity within the Chlor-Alkali business segment at Westlake's Lake Charles South facility. Recognizing that the ideal candidate may not possess all the necessary skills from day one, the team is committed to providing a comprehensive, tailored training program. This program will be designed based on the candidate's prior experience, with the goal of achieving full contribution within one to three years.
Compensation for this role will be aligned with the candidate's industry experience, ranging from 5 to 20 years, ensuring a competitive pay grade. The position is highly technical and suited for a long-term individual contributor. Once acclimated, the successful candidate will play a pivotal role in addressing complex technical challenges escalated by manufacturing teams and will also collaborate with senior vice presidents on long-term strategic objectives for the corporation.
This is an exciting, influential, and impactful technology role that promises meaningful contributions to Westlake's operations and growth shaping Chlor-Alkali for decades.
May include, but are not limited to, the following:
· Maintain the protection of the environment and health and safety of our employees, customers, and the communities in which we operate and/or transport our products as our highest priority.
· Provide technical expertise and support as required to Operations. Understands all applicable process technology, equipment and control technology.
· Innovate, align business drivers, and determine feasibility of projects early in the Front-end Loading (FEL1) phase of a project.
· Work with Project Engineering regarding capital project implementation including preparation of business justifications for Chlor-Alkali projects.
· Lead cross-functional teams to support business initiatives.
· Has the ability to apply and interpret statistical tools and applications for the optimization of large systems and processes.
· Evaluate Chlor-Alkali key performance indicators and provide technical assistance in driving deviations to target.
· Mentor performance engineers in the Chlor-Alkali units.
· Be available as a subject matter expert to support:
o the review, verification, and implementation of the project design, and optimization phases.
o incident investigation including analysis, documentation, and participation in RCA processes.
o Review of HAZOP/LOPA studies and MOC processes.
o Chlor-Alkali excellence teams and technology sharing activities between Westlake sites.
o calculations, reports, and studies made by other engineers to ensure accuracy, as well as conformance to codes, specifications, design criteria, and good engineering practices.
· Monitor and participate in Chlorine Institute activities. Be able to access and interpret Chlorine Institute publications and apply as RAGAGEP.
· Interface with our research and development location to coordinate the Chlor-Alkali needs regarding technology changes/improvements as well as cathode and anode coating changes.
· Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills including an orientation to team development. Knowledgeable in MS Office, SAP, ASPEN and other industry recognized software is preferred.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
· A current, valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card is required.
· B. S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related Engineering degree.
· A minimum of 5 years’ chemical production experience, 10+ preferred.
· Experience in Chlor-Alkali manufacturing processes preferred.
· Project experience and process engineering preferred.
· Successful candidates must satisfy background screening, including motor vehicle record screening, drug testing & pre-employment physical requirements before starting work.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, walk and climb; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, and infrequently lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee must frequently make minor decisions with limited information, general decisions in the absence of specific directions, and perform activities requiring sustained concentration.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The noise level in the work environment is sometimes moderate when working in an office, however, some of the work may be required in the operating units which mandates usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. During active remediation additional requirements may include fit testing for respiratory equipment, chemical suits, face shields, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs. Occasional travel (5-10%) may be required in the performance of duties.
Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.
If you are an active Westlake employee (or an employee of any Westlake affiliates), please do not apply here. You will apply via the Jobs Hub application in Workday.
Skills Required
- B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related Engineering degree
- A minimum of 5 years' chemical production experience, 10+ preferred
- Experience in Chlor-Alkali manufacturing processes
- Project experience and process engineering
- Current, valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card
Westlake Chemical Corporation Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Westlake Chemical Corporation and has not been reviewed or approved by Westlake Chemical Corporation.
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Retirement Support — Feedback suggests the 401(k) with company matching is a strong element, and certain groups have noncontributory defined‑benefit pensions. This combination signals solid retirement support.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Feedback suggests incentive programs include quarterly or annual bonuses that supplement base pay. These recurring programs indicate reliable variable compensation opportunities.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid vacation, sick pay, and nine paid holidays are promoted alongside caregiver support programs. This breadth covers common time‑off needs.
Westlake Chemical Corporation Insights
What We Do
Westlake Chemical (NYSE: WLK) is a quality manufacturer and dependable global supplier of petrochemicals, plastics and building products. Our mission is to serve our clients by enhancing daily life through the products and services we provide, which in turn make life better for people every day. Employing approximately 9,500 people, Westlake operates from 36 locations in North America, 11 in Europe and 6 in Asia.
