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Plastic Injection Molding Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Sterling Engineering, Inc.

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Plastic Injection Molding Process Technician

Buffalo Grove, IL · On-site

$30 - $35/hr

Plastic Injection Molding Process Technician / Setter - 12-Hour Night Shift Pay: up to $35/hr Shift: 12-Hour Night Shift | Full-Time | 2-2-3 Are you an experienced Injection Molding Technician or ...

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All JobsPlastic Injection Molding Engineer JobsPlastic Injection Molding Engineer Jobs in Illinois

Plastic Injection Molding Engineer information

See Illinois salary details

$30K

$86.7K

$114.3K

How much do plastic injection molding engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for plastic injection molding engineer in Illinois is $86,659.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $101,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a plastic injection molding engineer do?

A Plastic Injection Molding Engineer is responsible for designing, optimizing, and overseeing the manufacturing process of plastic parts using injection molding machines. They work with product designers to ensure manufacturability, select appropriate materials, develop and troubleshoot molds, and continually improve production efficiency and product quality. Their role also involves monitoring the molding process, solving technical problems, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a plastic injection molding engineer?

To thrive as a Plastic Injection Molding Engineer, you need a solid background in materials science, mechanical engineering, and process optimization, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, injection molding simulation tools, and quality management systems like ISO 9001 is essential. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help engineers collaborate with cross-functional teams and troubleshoot complex production issues. These capabilities are crucial to ensuring efficient, high-quality manufacturing and continuous process improvement in plastic injection molding operations.

What are some common challenges faced by plastic injection molding engineers and how can they be addressed?

Plastic Injection Molding Engineers often encounter challenges such as optimizing mold design for manufacturability, resolving defects like warping or incomplete filling, and maintaining consistent product quality. Effective troubleshooting skills, close collaboration with design and production teams, and staying updated with the latest material and technology advancements are key to overcoming these issues. Regular communication with toolmakers and operators also helps in quickly identifying and resolving process inefficiencies, ensuring smooth production runs.

What is the difference between Plastic Injection Molding Engineer vs Plastic Manufacturing Technician?

AspectPlastic Injection Molding EngineerPlastic Manufacturing Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field, certifications like CPI or injection molding trainingHigh school diploma or technical training, on-the-job experience
Work EnvironmentDesign, development, process optimization in manufacturing settingsOperate machinery, perform quality checks on the production floor
ResponsibilitiesDesigning molds, process improvement, troubleshooting complex issuesSetting up machines, monitoring production, basic troubleshooting

The Plastic Injection Molding Engineer focuses on designing and optimizing molding processes, requiring specialized engineering knowledge. In contrast, the Plastic Manufacturing Technician handles daily machine operation and quality checks. Both roles are essential in the plastic manufacturing industry but differ in scope and technical requirements.

What are popular job titles related to Plastic Injection Molding Engineer jobs in Illinois?

For Plastic Injection Molding Engineer jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Plastic Injection Molding Engineer jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Plastic Injection Molding Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

Plastic Injection Molding Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plastic Injection Molding Engineer job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,659 per year, or $41.7 per hour.

Project Engineer - Plastic Injection Molding

South Elgin, IL

Sterling Engineering Inc.
See more jobs at Sterling Engineering Inc.external

$100K - $135K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Title: Project Engineer - Plastic Injection Molding
Location: South Elgin, IL
Pay Rate: $100,000-135,000 + bonus structure
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Comprehensive Benefits Package including:
Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
Matching 401k up to 6% with Safe Harbor 
Several paid company days off in addition to paid holidays and PTO
Yearly compensation increases 

This is a hands-on opportunity for an engineer with plastics and injection molding experience who enjoys solving complex design challenges, coordinating multiple stakeholders, and seeing projects move from concept to finished production.  You’ll have significant exposure to tooling design, mold development, prototyping, customer engineering, material selection, and manufacturing process improvement, with opportunities to work on both domestic and international projects.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead new program development from initial quotation through production.
  • Serve as a primary engineering contact for customers and tooling suppliers.
  • Analyze customer prints and tooling quotation requests and prepare tooling quotations.
  • Procure tooling and coordinate the design and build process.
  • Ensure new tooling is designed and built to support robust, reliable manufacturing processes.
  • Conduct design reviews and preliminary tool reviews with cross-functional teams.
  • Place tooling purchase orders and monitor supplier progress, quality, timing, and compliance with agreed designs.
  • Conduct pre-sampling and post-sampling meetings with project teams.
  • Partner with Sales on technical design projects, including prototyping and design recommendations.
  • Support metal-to-plastic conversion projects and identify opportunities created through product design changes.
  • Develop piece-part designs and identify qualified sources for design, tooling, and prototyping activities.
  • Perform mold simulation analysis using Moldex3D.
Qualifications
  • Must have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Plastics Technology, or a related field or equivalent professional experience.
  • Must have at least 3–5 years of plastic injection molding experience.
  • Strong computer skills, including CAD—preferably SolidWorks but open to other design software
  • Broad understanding of plastic materials, including PP, ABS, Acetal, and Nylon.
  • Ability to manage projects, coordinate with multiple stakeholders, and follow through on deadlines.
  • Willingness and ability to travel a couple of times a year domestically and internationally when required (Italy, Mexico, China).
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.