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Director Plastic Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Plastic Surgeon Geisinger

Danville, PA ยท On-site

$350 - $500/hr

A plastic surgeon possesses special knowledge and skill in the design and surgery of grafts, flaps, free-tissue transfer and replantation. Competence in the management of complex wounds, the use of ...

... direct communication. Responsibilities include: * To develop designs in accordance with the ... Geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) and plastic part design experience a plus.

Plastics Engineer

Elkhart, IN ยท On-site

$60K - $90K/yr

Director of Engineering MAKS Plastics, LLC is a rotational molding and thermoforming plastic ... We are seeking a skilled Product Design Engineer with expertise in rotational molding ...

Plastics Engineer

Elkhart, IN ยท On-site

$60K - $90K/yr

Director of Engineering MAKS Plastics, LLC is a rotational molding and thermoforming plastic ... We are seeking a skilled Product Design Engineer with expertise in rotational molding ...

Creative Plastics, a designer, and manufacturer of award winning, quality displays for a variety of ... Provide technical oversight and mentorship to Junior Design Engineers but does not have direct hire ...

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Director Plastic Design information

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$37K

$135.8K

$243K

How much do director plastic design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for director plastic design in the United States is $135,763.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $109,500.00 and $163,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of plastic design do?

A Director of Plastic Design oversees the conceptualization, development, and production of plastic products or components within an organization. They lead a team of designers and engineers, ensuring that products meet quality, safety, and cost requirements while aligning with company goals. Their responsibilities may also include collaborating with other departments, managing project timelines and budgets, and staying updated on the latest materials and manufacturing technologies. This role requires a strong background in plastic engineering, design principles, and leadership skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of plastic design?

To thrive as a Director of Plastic Design, you need an in-depth understanding of plastic materials, product development, and engineering principles, typically supported by a degree in engineering or industrial design and extensive experience in plastics manufacturing. Expertise with CAD software, mold flow analysis tools, and project management systems, as well as familiarity with relevant industry certifications such as Six Sigma or PMP, is highly valuable. Strong leadership, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills are essential for guiding teams and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills ensure the successful design and delivery of innovative, manufacturable plastic products that meet quality, cost, and timeline objectives.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of plastic design when leading cross-functional teams?

A Director of Plastic Design often encounters challenges in aligning the creative vision with technical feasibility, especially when collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and marketing teams. Balancing innovative design concepts with material limitations, cost constraints, and production timelines requires strong communication and negotiation skills. Additionally, managing diverse teams across multiple projects while ensuring consistency in quality and design standards can be demanding. Proactively fostering collaboration and maintaining clear project goals help mitigate these challenges and drive successful outcomes.

What is the difference between Director Plastic Design vs Plastic Design Engineer?

AspectDirector Plastic DesignPlastic Design Engineer
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire plastic product development, manages teams, sets strategic goalsDesigns and develops plastic components, executes technical specifications
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Plastics Engineering, Industrial Design, or related field; extensive experienceBachelor's in Mechanical or Plastics Engineering; some experience in design
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D or product development departmentsDesign labs, manufacturing facilities, engineering teams

The main difference is that the Director Plastic Design leads and manages plastic product development teams and strategies, while the Plastic Design Engineer focuses on technical design and development of plastic components. The director has broader responsibilities, including project oversight and strategic planning, whereas the engineer concentrates on technical execution.

More about Director Plastic Design jobs

What cities are hiring for Director Plastic Design jobs?

Cities with the most Director Plastic Design job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Plastic Design jobs?

The most popular types of Plastic Design jobs are:

What states have the most Director Plastic Design jobs?

States with the most job openings for Director Plastic Design jobs include:

Infographic showing various Director Plastic Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,763 per year, or $65.3 per hour.

Molding Project Engineer - PSC17726

PlasticStaffing

Waukesha, WI โ€ข On-site

$85K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

PlasticStaffing.com is the largest executive search firm specializing in Plastic molding, Chemical manufactruing, and Packaging industries. For the past 25+ years, we have assisted thousands of candidates by identifying, interviewing and confidentially connecting them to an ideal role in the industry. Our goal is to be a strategic partner with each of our clients and a career management consultant to our candidates, with our company culture built with honesty and integrity.

There is no charge to assist candidates having industry experience. To get started, we only require your updated resume, your honesty, and a few moments of your time over the phone.


Molding Project Engineer – PSC17726

Compensation: $85,000 – $120,000/year (DOE) + Comprehensive Benefits

Industry: Plastic Injection Molding

Location: Wisconsin

Schedule: Full-Time

Our client, a growing manufacturer specializing in plastic injection molding, is seeking an experienced Project Engineer to lead new product launches from concept through production and can excel when facing clients. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with customers, tooling suppliers, engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams while driving successful project execution in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

If you enjoy leading cross-functional projects, solving technical challenges, and bringing new molded products to market, this is an excellent opportunity to make a significant impact.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead multiple engineering projects from quotation through full production launch.

  • Review plastic part designs for manufacturability (DFM), including draft analysis, side actions, shutoffs, and moldability.

  • Review tooling designs and support mold construction, validation, and qualification activities.

  • Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, tool shops, and customers to ensure project success.

  • Develop and manage project timelines, budgets, milestones, risks, and deliverables.

  • Utilize APQP methodologies, Design of Experiments (DOE), process validation, and capability studies to support product development.

  • Evaluate manufacturing processes, automation, tooling, and secondary operations to improve quality, productivity, and cost.

  • Support engineering changes, continuous improvement initiatives, and production readiness activities.

Required Qualifications
  • 5+ years of Project Engineering experience within plastic injection molding.

  • Experience with Rubber, Silicone, or (LSR) molding and/or Injection molding expeirence. 

  • Strong understanding of plastic part design, mold construction, tooling development, and DFM principles.

  • Experience managing multiple engineering projects simultaneously.

  • Knowledge of APQP, DOE, process validation, capability studies, and continuous improvement methodologies.

  • Excellent communication, project management, and organizational skills.

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ERP systems.

Preferred Skills 
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a related engineering discipline (or equivalent industry experience).

  • Experience within regulated manufacturing environments.

  • Knowledge of thermoplastic and/or thermoset injection molding.

  • Experience with automation integration, secondary operations, and manufacturing process optimization.

Why Consider This Opportunity?
  • Relocation assistance offered for experienced candidates.

  • Comprehensive benefits package

  • Opportunity to lead high-impact engineering projects from concept through production

  • Collaborative engineering environment with cross-functional exposure

  • Long-term career growth within an established plastics manufacturing organization

Apply Confidentially

If your background aligns with plastic injection molding project engineering and you are interested in learning more, we encourage you to apply for confidential consideration.

Qualified candidates will be contacted to discuss the opportunity in greater detail. No information will be shared with our client without your knowledge and approval.

Maria Abelardo, Recruiting Director
Plastic Staffing | A Division of National Search Group, Inc.
Direct: (754) 241-9507
Email: maria@plasticstaffing.com