What are the responsibilities and job description for the R&D Engineer position at Western Midstream?
Job Summary
This role offers the opportunity to join a team that will help tackle one of the industry’s biggest challenges—produced water—while creating a sustainable water source for an arid region to support local communities and economies. We’re driving innovation through advanced water treatment technologies and pioneering brine mining techniques to extract valuable metals and minerals, strengthening domestic supply chains. We are seeking a teammate who demonstrates deep commitment, ingenuity in problem solving, and pursues excellence in all aspects of their work. In this role, you will play a key part in advancing our water treatment and brine mining solutions through meticulous testing, data analysis, creative problem-solving, and clear communication of results. This position is based out of The Woodlands, TX.
Qualifications
This role offers the opportunity to join a team that will help tackle one of the industry’s biggest challenges—produced water—while creating a sustainable water source for an arid region to support local communities and economies. We’re driving innovation through advanced water treatment technologies and pioneering brine mining techniques to extract valuable metals and minerals, strengthening domestic supply chains. We are seeking a teammate who demonstrates deep commitment, ingenuity in problem solving, and pursues excellence in all aspects of their work. In this role, you will play a key part in advancing our water treatment and brine mining solutions through meticulous testing, data analysis, creative problem-solving, and clear communication of results. This position is based out of The Woodlands, TX.
Qualifications
- 1-5 years of experience in a related field, such as Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a similar discipline
- Recent hands-on experience with pilot operations and wet lab testing, preferably involving brine mining, mineral recovery, and/or concentrated brine processing
- Strong knowledge of water treatment processes and water chemistry, including high-TDS or concentrated brine applications
- Familiarity with separation and recovery technologies such as precipitation, adsorption, ion exchange, membrane desalination, distillation, solvent extraction, crystallization, and other related processes
- Analytical skills to interpret pilot results and translate results into practical solutions
- Attention to detail and strong problem-solving capabilities
- Excellent organization and communication skills (written and verbal)
- Computer literacy (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Capable of working independently with management guidance in a fast-paced environment
- Excellent time management skills and ability to multi-task and prioritize work
- Willingness to perform work in a field setting up to 100% of the time
- Innovate on water treatment and brine processing technologies and analytical methods to improve cost efficiency, effectiveness, and scalability
- Perform bench-scale experiments and water quality analysis in a field laboratory setting related to water treatment and mineral recovery from concentrated brine
- Utilize knowledge of inorganic and organic water chemistry to assess performance of pilot plant unit processes
- Log and analyze pilot data to identify performance trends and areas for improvement
- Perform cost and techno-economic analyses of various unit processes to determine economic feasibility for new applications
- Prepare detailed technical presentations and written reports summarizing findings from pilot operations and water data collected
- Effectively communicate results and conclusions from pilot testing to technical audiences to enhance understanding and support decision-making
- Assist with planning and execution of field pilots to demonstrate water treatment solutions at project sites
- Support with planning and execution of agricultural studies to asses the use of polished desalinated produced water for non-food crop growth.
- Ability to work in the field at our pilot sites which may include:
- Moving safely around operating water treatment equipment to accomplish tasks
- Outdoor elements such as precipitation, wind, high, and low temperatures
- Bachelor’s degree required in relevant engineering subject matter (chemical, civil, environmental). Master’s degree preferred. Grade and salary commensurate with relevant education and experience.
- The percentage of travel required for this position is 25 - 50%
- This position follows a hybrid schedule working in office Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and working remote Wednesday and Friday. Monday-Thursday are 9 hours and Fridays are 4 hours.