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Plastic Engineer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's degree in Automotive, Plastics, or Mechanical Engineering OR 7 years' experience in automotive production engineering. Minimum 4 years' experience in automotive product engineering or 7 ...

Lead Design Engineer

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$105K - $120K/yr

... plastics or toolingProven leadership experience managing or guiding engineering teamsStrong proficiency in CAD (2D and 3D design systems) Experience in tooling design, product development, or ...

Custom Design Engineer

Arden Hills, MN · On-site

$79K - $108K/yr

For nearly 50 years, we've been engineering cutting-edge fluid connection technologies that power ... Knowledge of designing plastic components for injection molding. * Basic understanding of Finite ...

Full-timeREO Plastics, Inc. is a progressive ISO certified custom injection molding company that ... The Process & Automation Technician will be assisting the Process Engineer in designing, building ...

Design Engineer

Owatonna, MN · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Design Engineer Location: Owatonna, MN Fulltime Role Summary: Seeking a Design Engineer to support ... Experience with manufacturing methods such as sheet metal, fabrication, plastics, castings, or ...

Lead Design Engineer

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$105K - $115K/yr

Associate degree 7+ years of relevant design experience in plastics or tooling * Proven leadership experience managing or guiding engineering teams * Strong proficiency in CAD (2D and 3D design ...

Lead Design Engineer

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$105K - $120K/yr

Associate degree 7+ years of relevant design experience in plastics or tooling * Proven leadership experience managing or guiding engineering teams * Strong proficiency in CAD (2D and 3D design ...

Custom Design Engineer

Arden Hills, MN · On-site

$79K - $108K/yr

For nearly 50 years, we've been engineering cutting-edge fluid connection technologies that power ... Knowledge of designing plastic components for injection molding. * Basic understanding of Finite ...

New

Lead Design Engineer

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$105K - $115K/yr

Associate degree 7+ years of relevant design experience in plastics or tooling * Proven leadership experience managing or guiding engineering teams * Strong proficiency in CAD (2D and 3D design ...

Principal Engineer

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$104K - $156K/yr

Schedule, budget, and lead engineering projects with minimal guidance. * Serve as the technical ... Advanced knowledge of plastics materials and processing such as injection molding, extrusion ...

Principal Engineer

Plymouth, MN · On-site

$104K - $156K/yr

Schedule, budget, and lead engineering projects with minimal guidance. * Serve as the technical ... Advanced knowledge of plastics materials and processing such as injection molding, extrusion ...

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or another related field. * 2+ year of design and ... Knowledge of designing plastic components for injection molding. * Basic understanding of Finite ...

New

Molding specialist

Woodbury, MN · On-site

$145K - $178K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering * Master's degree in science or engineering discipline from an accredited institution (completed and verified prior to start) * Experience in injection ...

Showing results 41-60

Plastic Engineer information

See Minnesota salary details

$35.7K

$63.9K

$106.3K

How much do plastic engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for plastic engineer in Minnesota is $63,922.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,500.00 and $77,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a plastic engineer do?

A Plastic Engineer specializes in designing, developing, and manufacturing products made from plastic materials. They work with various types of plastics to create items ranging from packaging and consumer goods to automotive parts and medical devices. Their responsibilities may include selecting the appropriate plastic material, optimizing manufacturing processes, ensuring product quality, and considering environmental impacts such as recyclability. Plastic Engineers often collaborate with other engineers and designers to innovate and improve plastic products.

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

To thrive as a Plastic Engineer, you need a solid background in polymer science, material properties, and design engineering, typically supported by a degree in chemical, materials, or plastic engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, injection molding machinery, and relevant industry certifications like Six Sigma or PMP is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help distinguish top professionals in this field. These competencies ensure the development of high-quality, cost-effective plastic products and successful collaboration with manufacturing and design teams.

What are the typical challenges a plastic engineer faces when scaling up from prototype to mass production?

Plastic Engineers often encounter challenges when transitioning a design from prototype to large-scale manufacturing, such as material selection discrepancies, maintaining consistent quality, and optimizing mold design for efficiency. Balancing cost-effectiveness with durability and performance is crucial, as even minor design changes can have significant impacts on production time and expenses. Collaborating closely with design, production, and quality assurance teams helps address these challenges and ensures a smooth scale-up process.

What is the difference between Plastic Engineer vs Materials Scientist?

AspectPlastic EngineerMaterials Scientist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Plastic Engineering, Polymer Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, R&D labs, product design facilitiesResearch labs, academia, industrial R&D
Industry UsagePlastic product development, injection molding, extrusionMaterial development, testing, and analysis across various materials

Plastic Engineers focus on designing, developing, and testing plastic products and processes, often working directly in manufacturing settings. Materials Scientists study the properties and behaviors of various materials, including plastics, to innovate and improve materials across industries. While both roles require knowledge of polymers, Plastic Engineers are more application-oriented, whereas Materials Scientists are research-focused.

What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Plastic Engineer jobs?

Cities in Minnesota with the most Plastic Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Plastic Engineer job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,922 per year, or $30.7 per hour.

Lead Design Engineer Direct Hire

Plymouth, MN

Midwest Staffing
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 11 - 50 employees

$0.05 - $0.06/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

We're looking for an experienced Lead Design Engineer who thrives on leading teams, driving innovation, and delivering high-quality product and tooling designs. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys guiding engineers, collaborating cross-functionally, and transforming customer needs into manufacturing solutions.

If you have strong CAD experience, a background in tooling or product design, and a passion for leadership and continuous improvement, this is a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Compensation

•Competitive salary based on experience - $105,000-$115,000

•Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, paid time off, 401K with Company match, Profit Sharing.

Work Schedule

•Full-time position in Plymouth, MN. Monday-Friday; Day shift (typically 7am -4pm)

•Standard business hours with occasional flexibility required for project deadlines.

•Minimal travel (approximately 10%) to customers, vendors, or other company locations.

What You'll Do

•Lead and direct an on-site design engineering team, ensuring quality, accuracy, and timely project delivery

•Translate customer requirements into innovative product and tooling designs

•Utilize CAD software (2D & 3D) to develop complex geometries and solutions

•Manage project priorities, schedules, and workloads to meet customer expectations

•Collaborate with cross-functional teams including operations, tooling, and account management

•Oversee tool development, modifications, and vendor performance

•Drive continuous improvement initiatives using performance data and design standards

•Support product lifecycle activities including change management, material selection, and corrective actions

•Ensure adherence to safety, ISO, SQF, and GMP standards

•Coach, mentor, and develop team members to build a high-performing engineering team

What You Bring

•Education & Experience

oBachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field 5+ years of experience or-

oAssociate degree 7+ years of relevant design experience in plastics or tooling

•Proven leadership experience managing or guiding engineering teams

•Strong proficiency in CAD (2D and 3D design systems)

•Experience in tooling design, product development, or plastics manufacturing

•Strong project management and organizational skills

•Ability to interpret customer requirements and deliver innovative solutions

•Excellent communication and collaboration skills

•Self-directed with the ability to manage multiple priorities

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