1

Plastic Design Engineer Jobs in New York (NOW HIRING)

Product Design Engineer Responsibilities: * Manage and deliver medium-complexity mechanical ... Working knowledge of material properties (e.g., plastics, metals, adhesives) and high-volume ...

... plastic and elastomers and must be a developing professional, apply company policies and procedures to resolve a variety of issues. Salary Range: $75,600 - $90,000 per year Job Function: * Design ...

... plastic and elastomers and must be a developing professional, apply company policies and procedures to resolve a variety of issues. Salary Range: $75,600 - $90,000 per year Job Function: * Design ...

... plastic and elastomers and must be a developing professional, apply company policies and procedures to resolve a variety of issues. Salary Range: $75,600 - $90,000 per year Job Function: * Design ...

Mechanical Design Engineer

Totowa, NJ · On-site

$77K - $104K/yr

Successful Mechanical Design Engineer will work in the Mechanical Department of KLA ECI division ... Demonstrated DFM/DFA experience for sheet metal, plastics, machined parts, and purchased components.

Mechanical Design Engineer

Totowa, NJ · On-site

$77K - $104K/yr

Successful Mechanical Design Engineer will work in the Mechanical Department of KLA ECI division ... Demonstrated DFM/DFA experience for sheet metal, plastics, machined parts, and purchased components.

next page

Showing results 1-20

Plastic Design Engineer information

See New York salary details

$38.3K

$103.9K

$134K

How much do plastic design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for plastic design engineer in New York is $103,866.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,600.00 and $129,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectPlastic Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related; certifications like CPD or CSPBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering or related; certifications like PE or EIT
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, manufacturing plants, R&D centersDesign offices, manufacturing facilities, R&D centers
Industry UsagePlastic product manufacturing, injection molding, packagingMachinery, automotive, consumer products
Common Search/ComparisonPlastic Design Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer

The Plastic Design Engineer specializes in designing plastic components and products, focusing on material properties and manufacturing processes like injection molding. In contrast, the Mechanical Design Engineer works on a broader range of mechanical systems and components, including metals and other materials. Both roles require engineering degrees and similar certifications, but their focus areas and industries differ, making each role unique in its application and expertise.

What does a plastic design engineer do?

A Plastic Design Engineer is responsible for designing and developing plastic components and products, often used in industries such as automotive, consumer goods, and electronics. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed models and drawings, select appropriate materials, and ensure that designs meet performance, safety, and cost requirements. These engineers also collaborate with manufacturing teams to optimize mold designs for production efficiency and quality. Their work often involves testing prototypes, troubleshooting design issues, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Overall, they play a crucial role in bringing plastic products from concept to production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a plastic design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Plastic Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, materials science (especially polymers), and CAD modeling, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with design software like SolidWorks or CATIA, and knowledge of manufacturing processes such as injection molding, are essential, with certifications in CAD or plastics engineering being advantageous. Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and effective communication set standout professionals apart in this role. These skills are crucial for developing innovative, manufacturable plastic components that meet performance, cost, and quality standards.

What are some common challenges faced by plastic design engineers when working with manufacturers, and how can they be addressed?

Plastic Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring manufacturability of complex parts, managing material selection constraints, and meeting tight tolerances during production. Effective communication with manufacturers early in the design process helps address these issues, as does familiarity with various molding processes and tooling limitations. Collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, including tooling engineers and quality assurance, can also help mitigate potential production issues and ensure the final product meets design and quality expectations.

What job categories do people searching Plastic Design Engineer jobs in New York look for?

The top searched job categories for Plastic Design Engineer jobs in New York are:

Infographic showing various Plastic Design Engineer job openings in New York as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 84% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,866 per year, or $49.9 per hour.

Product Design Engineer

Meta

New York, NY

$118K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

136th of 244 rated software companies


Job description

Meta's Hardware engineers are at the forefront of innovation, driving the design and development of hardware systems that power the future of human connection. Across Infrastructure, Reality Labs, Robotics, and Research, our teams tackle complex challenges in consumer electronics, data centers, advanced robotics, opto-mechanical systems, and more. We bring together cross-disciplinary minds to invent, prototype, and deliver products and platforms that connect billions of people worldwide.As a Mechanical/Product Design Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the specification, design, prototyping, and deployment of cutting-edge hardware systems. You will be a key contributor to our hardware projects, taking ownership of significant components and subsystems while collaborating with teams to deliver innovative solutions. This role is for an engineer who can work on well-defined projects while learning and applying Meta’s engineering best practices to demonstrate increasing impact.
Product Design Engineer Responsibilities:
  • Manage and deliver medium-complexity mechanical assemblies or subsystems, driving technical solutions from concept through to production readiness
  • Build, test, and iterate on prototypes to validate design concepts, ensure product performance, and root-cause failures
  • Work closely with teams across engineering, design, manufacturing, and research to deliver integrated solutions. Advise cross-functional partners on technical matters within your area of expertise
  • Apply best practices for Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), and assist with process development for high-volume production
  • Coordinate with external partners and vendors to source components, manage prototype builds, and ensure quality standards are met
  • Maintain clear technical documentation and communicate effectively with stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle, using data to inform decisions

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field and/or equivalent industry experience
  • 2+ years of industry experience in mechanical design, with experience shipping high‑volume commercial products and/or designing complex electromechanical assemblies in a research/prototype environment
  • Proficiency in 3D/2D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, NX, Creo)
  • Working knowledge of material properties (e.g., plastics, metals, adhesives) and high-volume manufacturing techniques (e.g., injection molding, stamping, die casting)
  • Experience with testing and analysis techniques (e.g., FEA, Simulation, Design of Experiments)

Preferred Qualifications:
  • MS or PhD in Mechanical Engineering
  • 2+ years of product design and development experience of handheld and/or wearable high volume consumer electronics, including complex subsystems and/or full systems ownership
  • Experience with NX CAD
  • Experience with highly cosmetic products and working with Industrial Design
  • Professional working proficiency in a Mandarin and/or Cantonese language is preferred, as this role reviews regional content where usual language is in a regional language
  • Experience designing for human factors
  • Demonstrated experience in integrating AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
  • Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
  • Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$118,000/year to $170,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

What Meta employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom