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Entry Level Plastics Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MSR-FSR

Plastic Fabricator Apprentice

Chandler, AZ · On-site

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 1. Read, understand, and follow work orders, engineering ... plastics, or machine shop experience preferred (apprentice/entry-level candidates encouraged to ...

MSR-FSR

Plastic Fabricator Apprentice

Chandler, AZ

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 1. Read, understand, and follow work orders, engineering ... plastics, or machine shop experience preferred (apprentice/entry-level candidates encouraged to ...

HEICO

Sustaining Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$94.30K - $116K/yr

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) * Entry level to 3 years work experience ... Knowledge of plastic and metal materials and their uses/applications. * Understanding of injection ...

Adecco

Manufacturing Engineer

Gary, IN

$35/hr

Early-career to mid-level engineer * NOT senior, NOT ... entry-level * Medical device manufacturing (ideal) * Automotive manufacturing * Plastics ...

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Entry Level Plastics Engineer information

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$30K

$69.4K

$118K

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

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level plastics engineer in the United States is $69,362.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $78,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, or certain senior roles in software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes management responsibilities or working in high-cost regions.

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.

More about Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Plastics Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Plastics Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Plastics Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs are:
Entry Level Plastics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Plastics Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Locum Tenens, 7% Internship, 46% As Needed, 20% Full Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $69,362 per year, or $33.3 per hour.

Entry level Materials Engineer

International Automotive Components

Troy, MI • On-site

Full-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Kickstart your plastics career by working on real automotive interior programs, supporting material selection, processing trials, launch support, and continuous improvement. This role is handson: you'll run trials, build DOE plans, analyze results, and partner with plants and product engineering to solve quality issues and reduce cost. It's a strong match for grads with a plasticsfocused education grounded in processing, testing, and product development.

What you'll do (you'll use what you learned in plastics school)

  • Support development and implementation of polymer materials (resins, additives, colorants, coatings) for IAC components.
  • Plan and execute trials/DOEs (processing windows, shrink/warp, appearance, performance) and summarize results in clear technical reports.
  • Partner with manufacturing plants to analyze process + quality data, identify root causes, and recommend corrective actions.
  • Provide handson support for launches, warranty/quality topics, and costsaving initiatives (VAVE/Kaizen).
  • Work with suppliers to gather material data and help evaluate new materials/technologies.
  • Interface with customers (OEM materials/engineering teams) by presenting material concepts and performance data.
  • Support sustainability initiatives, including material opportunities and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) activities.

What you'll learn

  • How automotive programs move from concept launch (and how materials decisions affect quality, cost, and timing).
  • How to write strong test plans/test requests, coordinate lab work, and communicate results to engineering and manufacturing.
  • How to connect processing conditions to part performance (shrinkage, appearance, mechanical properties) and drive fixes quickly.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree (or graduating soon) in Engineering/Science with a plastics focus preferred (Materials, Chemical, Chemistry, Plastics/Polymer/Manufacturing disciplines or equivalent experience).
  • Comfort with handson technical work: trials, data collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Willingness to travel up to 25% (plants, suppliers, customer support).