What are the responsibilities and job description for the Technical Service Engineer II position at Westlake?
Summary
Provide comprehensive technical assistance to production teams, sales, and customers to ensure Westlake maintains its position as a leading manufacturer of high-quality polyethylene resins. This includes supporting plant operations, resolving product quality issues, and optimizing fabrication processes. The role involves evaluating commercial and experimental products, developing and maintaining product specifications, and preparing technical documentation such as data sheets and competitive resin guides. Additionally, you will collaborate with Sales and Marketing to introduce new products, provide training and start-up assistance to customers, and represent Westlake in industry associations. A strong focus on safety, effective communication, and market awareness is essential to drive innovation, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
Duties And Responsibilities
May include, but are not limited to, the following:
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. Moderate travel (20-40%) may be required
Provide comprehensive technical assistance to production teams, sales, and customers to ensure Westlake maintains its position as a leading manufacturer of high-quality polyethylene resins. This includes supporting plant operations, resolving product quality issues, and optimizing fabrication processes. The role involves evaluating commercial and experimental products, developing and maintaining product specifications, and preparing technical documentation such as data sheets and competitive resin guides. Additionally, you will collaborate with Sales and Marketing to introduce new products, provide training and start-up assistance to customers, and represent Westlake in industry associations. A strong focus on safety, effective communication, and market awareness is essential to drive innovation, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
Duties And Responsibilities
May include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Technical Support & Quality: Support plant operations, resolve quality complaints, and maintain product specifications.
- Product Development & Evaluation: Conduct evaluations of commercial/experimental products, audit competitive resins, and recommend improvements or new products.
- Customer & Market Engagement: Serve as a technical liaison, introduce new products, provide training/start-up assistance, and optimize customer fabrication processes.
- Documentation & Analysis: Prepare product data sheets, resin guides, and summarize findings on market trends and technical issues.
- Industry Representation: Participate in trade and technical associations (SPI, SPE, ASTM, TAPPI, NFPA).
- Safety & Compliance: Ensure safe practices in lab and plant environments, report incidents, and attend safety meetings.
- Communication & Collaboration: Keep management informed, interact effectively across levels, and assist colleagues when needed.
- Travel & Administration: Travel as required, manage expenses, and perform other duties as assigned. Which could account for up to 50% of travel.
- B.S. Degree in Chemical Engineering required, with demonstrable, direct experience in the industry.
- 5 years of experience with polyolefins in technical service, production, quality control, or research and development functions.
- Experience with extrusion coating or LLDPE grades is a plus.
- Computer experience, proficiency in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel are needed.
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. Moderate travel (20-40%) may be required