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Entry Level Plastics Engineer Jobs in Detroit, MI

ROUSH

CAE NVH & Durability Analyst I

Livonia, MI · On-site

At Roush, we fuse technology and engineering to provide product development solutions to customers ... This entry-level position will perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to solve CAE NVH / Durability ...

ROUSH

CAE NVH & Durability Analyst I

Livonia, MI · On-site

At Roush, we fuse technology and engineering to provide product development solutions to customers ... This entry-level position will perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to solve CAE NVH / Durability ...

Roush

CAE NVH & Durability Analyst I

Livonia, MI

At Roush, we fuse technology and engineering to provide product development solutions to customers ... This entry-level position will perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to solve CAE NVH / Durability ...

Roush

CAE NVH & Durability Analyst I

Livonia, MI · On-site

At Roush, we fuse technology and engineering to provide product development solutions to customers ... This entry-level position will perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to solve CAE NVH / Durability ...

Sterling Die & Engineering

Be Seen First

Press Operator

Macomb Township, MI · On-site

$17 - $20/hr

... * Entry Level * Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic Education Required: * High School Diploma/Equivalency Job Characteristics: * Full-time ...

All JobsPlastics Engineer JobsEntry Level Plastics Engineer JobsEntry Level Plastics Engineer Jobs in Detroit, MI

Entry Level Plastics Engineer information

See Detroit, MI salary details

$29.7K

$68.7K

$116.8K

How much do entry level plastics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level plastics engineer in Detroit, MI is $68,666.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $77,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level plastics engineer do?

An Entry Level Plastics Engineer assists in the design, development, testing, and manufacturing of plastic products and components. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers, learning about different types of plastics, processing methods like injection molding, and quality control practices. Their responsibilities may include conducting material tests, evaluating product prototypes, troubleshooting production issues, and supporting process improvements. This role is ideal for recent graduates with a background in chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field. Entry level plastics engineers often gain hands-on experience and foundational knowledge that prepares them for more advanced positions in the plastics industry.

What are some typical projects or tasks an entry level plastics engineer might work on in their first year?

As an Entry Level Plastics Engineer, you can expect to work on projects such as assisting in the design and testing of plastic components, supporting manufacturing process improvements, and conducting material property analyses. You may be involved in troubleshooting production issues, collaborating with senior engineers to develop prototypes, and ensuring products meet quality and regulatory standards. This role often requires close teamwork with manufacturing, quality assurance, and design departments, providing valuable exposure to the full product lifecycle and opportunities to learn from experienced professionals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level plastics engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Plastics Engineer, you need a background in materials science or chemical engineering, with knowledge of polymer properties and processing techniques. Familiarity with CAD software, injection molding machinery, and relevant industry standards or certifications (like Six Sigma or ISO) is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication help you excel in collaborative environments and troubleshoot manufacturing issues. These skills are crucial for ensuring product quality, optimizing production, and supporting innovation in plastics applications.

What is the difference between Entry Level Plastics Engineer vs Junior Plastics Designer?

AspectEntry Level Plastics EngineerJunior Plastics Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Plastics Engineering, Materials Science, or related fieldBachelor's in Industrial Design, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, R&D labs, design officesDesign studios, product development teams, manufacturing settings
Industry UsagePlastic product manufacturing, automotive, packagingConsumer products, packaging, product design
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between an Entry Level Plastics Engineer and a Junior Plastics Designer lies in their focus areas. Engineers typically work on material selection, process optimization, and product testing, while designers focus on aesthetics, ergonomics, and conceptual development. Both roles often collaborate in product development but serve distinct functions within the plastics industry.

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs in Detroit, MI?

For Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs in Detroit, MI, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs in Detroit, MI look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs in Detroit, MI are:

What cities near Detroit, MI are hiring for Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs?

Cities near Detroit, MI with the most Entry Level Plastics Engineer job openings:

Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Plastics Engineer job openings in Detroit, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $68,666 per year, or $33 per hour.

CAE NVH & Durability Analyst I

ROUSH

Livonia, MI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago

Roush rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 48 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

228th of 495 rated machine equipment manufacturers

Job description

At Roush, we fuse technology and engineering to provide product development solutions to customers in a diverse range of industries. Widely recognized for providing engineering, testing, prototype, and manufacturing services to the transportation industry, Roush also provides significant support to the aerospace, defense and theme park industries.  With over 2,400 employees in facilities throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America, our unique combination of creativity and tenacity activates big ideas on a global stage.
Join a team where your analysis shapes the future of mobility and innovation. At our facility in Livonia, MI, you’ll work on cutting‑edge CAE challenges across automotive, aerospace, and emerging technology industries—using advanced tools, solving real engineering problems, and seeing the direct impact of your work in products that go to market. This entry-level position will perform Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to solve CAE NVH / Durability problems to aid engineering in the upfront design of automotive, aerospace, entertainment, and industrial segments. This individual will build FEA models and conduct Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) analysis supported by sound engineering explanation and hand calculations. Click Here to meet our CAE Manager and get a peek at what we do.

Responsibilities: 

  • Build NVH / Durability models for various applications in the automotive, aerospace, and entertainment industries using commercial CAE tools such as Nastran, Abaqus / Optistruct / ANSYS. 
  • Run NVH / Durability simulations (Linear, Non-linear, Dynamic), postprocess results, and provide engineering solutions.  
  • Develop detailed reports to support customer meetings.  
  • Develop Python scripts for workflow automation.  
  • Learn new CAE tools quickly. 
  • Manage analysis files according to company data-retention policies. 
Minimum Requirements: 
  • Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with coursework in Finite Element Analysis, Strength of Materials, Mechanical behavior of metals, plastics & composites, Noise & Vibration. 
  • Experience in fundamentals of FEA methodologies. 
  • Knowledge of mechanical systems, automotive systems, and fundamentals of developing structures for NVH & Durability. 
  • Good attention to detail and ability to use hand calculations and free body diagrams to validate input and results. Ability to communicate verbal and written technical information. 
  • Excellent problem-solving ability. 
Preferred Skills:
  • Master of Science or Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with coursework in Finite Element Analysis, Strength of Materials, Mechanical behavior of metals, plastics & composites, Noise & Vibration. 
  • U.S. Citizen allowing for International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) compliance.
  • Experience in writing process automation using python, or Excel VBA or C functions.  
  • Familiarity with FEA/ fatigue simulation software packages (Nastran, Abaqus, nCode etc.) 
  • Software skills in finite element pre-processors, and post-processors (Altair Hyperworks, ANSA & META). 
  • Experience with real-world data integration and experimental validation. 

Our Full-Time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, earned sick time, STD, LTD, 401K, tuition reimbursement, employee referral bonus program, paid vacation, and paid holidays.
Visit our website:  www.roush.com
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/RoushCareers
Roush is an EO employer – Veterans/Disabled and other protected categories.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for our employment application process due to disability, please contact Roush Talent Acquisition at 734-779-7087.
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