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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 ...

Mechanical Design Engineer I

Melville, NY ยท On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

... 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 I

Melville, NY ยท On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

... 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 ...

Staff Engineer

Livingston, NJ ยท On-site

$108K - $131K/yr

A. (Formosa Plastics) is a growing, vertically-integrated supplier of plastic resins and ... This position focuses on driving operational excellence through systems design, process ...

Application Developer - II

Livingston, NJ ยท On-site

$92K - $120K/yr

A. (Formosa Plastics) is a growing, vertically-integrated supplier of plastic resins and ... The ideal candidate will be responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of enterprise ...

Application Developer II

Livingston, NJ ยท On-site

$95K - $124K/yr

A. (Formosa Plastics) is a growing, vertically-integrated supplier of plastic resins and ... The ideal candidate will be responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of enterprise ...

Senior Engineer

Paramus, NJ ยท On-site

$90 - $130/hr

We partner with major brand manufacturers and retailers to design, build, and deploy innovative ... plastic fabrication, etc. aiming to create broader awareness throughout the entire LG&P Engineering ...

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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 25, 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 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 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 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 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 is the role of a plastic design engineer?

A plastic design engineer develops and optimizes plastic parts and products by applying principles of materials science, engineering, and CAD software. They focus on creating designs that meet functional, aesthetic, and manufacturing requirements while ensuring cost-effectiveness and compliance with industry standards.
Infographic showing various Plastic Design Engineer job openings in New York as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $103,866 per year, or $49.9 per hour.

Manufacturing Design Engineer - Remote

YO AI Labs

New York, NY โ€ข Remote

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

Manufacturing Design Engineer

Job Type: Contractor
Location: Remote

Job Overview

We are seeking experienced Manufacturing Design Engineers to contribute to an advanced mechanical design and manufacturing project. In this role, you will apply your engineering expertise to help improve next-generation AI systems through high-quality, real-world design input.

You will use FreeCAD or similar parametric CAD platforms to create, document, review, and validate production-ready mechanical components and assemblies. This opportunity is ideal for professionals with strong mechanical design, manufacturing, CAD validation, and technical documentation experience.

No prior AI experience is required—your engineering expertise and domain knowledge are what matter most.

Scope of Work
  1. Create and modify detailed parametric 3D CAD models of mechanical components and assemblies using FreeCAD or comparable CAD software.

  2. Develop comprehensive engineering drawings, including GD&T, dimensional requirements, and tolerance stack-ups, suitable for manufacturing handoff.

  3. Design components for manufacturing processes including CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, plastics, and injection molding.

  4. Perform CAD validation and quality assurance reviews to verify model accuracy, design intent, and production readiness.

  5. Prepare clear technical documentation, design notes, and assembly instructions for use as high-quality reference materials.

  6. Review and incorporate feedback from technical reviewers to improve CAD models, drawings, and supporting documentation.

  7. Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles to ensure designs are practical, efficient, and manufacturable.

  8. Identify and resolve modeling, dimensional, assembly, and manufacturability issues before production handoff.

Required Skills
  • FreeCAD

  • Parametric CAD Modeling

  • Mechanical Design

  • 3D CAD Modeling

  • Assembly Design

  • Engineering Drawings

  • CAD Validation & Quality Assurance

  • Technical Documentation

  • Design for Manufacturing (DFM)

  • GD&T and tolerance analysis

  • Manufacturing design principles

Preferred Qualifications
  1. 2+ years of experience designing mechanical components for manufacturing environments.

  2. Strong proficiency in FreeCAD or similar parametric CAD software, including advanced modeling, assemblies, and drawing generation.

  3. Hands-on experience with manufacturing considerations for CNC machining, sheet metal, plastics, and injection molding.

  4. Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and DFM best practices.

  5. Demonstrated ability to create production-grade CAD models and validate designs against real-world manufacturability requirements.

  6. Experience interpreting engineering drawings, manufacturing specifications, and technical documentation.

  7. Strong attention to detail and ability to identify CAD and documentation inconsistencies.

  8. Excellent written and verbal communication skills for documenting technical decisions and collaborating with reviewers.

  9. Ability to work independently in a remote environment and meet project quality and delivery requirements