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Plastic Injection Molding Operator Jobs in Texas

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Monday-Friday, 2:45 p.m.-11:05 p.m.; occasional Saturdays Babich & Associates is seeking an experienced Industrial Maintenance Technician for a confidential plastic injection molding operation. This ...

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Plastic Injection Molding Operator information

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$10

$16

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How much do plastic injection molding operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for plastic injection molding operator in Texas is $16.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.33 and $17.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a plastic injection molding operator do?

A Plastic Injection Molding Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining machines that shape plastic materials into parts and products. They ensure molds are correctly installed, monitor the molding process, and inspect finished products for quality. Operators may also troubleshoot machine issues, adjust settings for optimal production, and keep records of production runs. This role is crucial in manufacturing industries that produce plastic components for automotive, medical, consumer goods, and more.

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

To thrive as a Plastic Injection Molding Operator, you need a solid understanding of machine operation, quality control, and basic mechanical aptitude, often earned through a high school diploma or technical training. Familiarity with injection molding machines, measurement tools like calipers and micrometers, and knowledge of safety protocols are essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work well in a team make someone stand out in this position. These skills ensure efficient production, minimize defects, and maintain workplace safety in a manufacturing environment.

What are some common challenges faced by plastic injection molding operators, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Plastic Injection Molding Operators often encounter challenges such as machine malfunctions, maintaining product quality, and managing tight production schedules. To address these, operators must regularly perform equipment checks, promptly report and troubleshoot issues, and follow detailed quality control procedures. Effective communication with maintenance teams and supervisors is essential to minimize downtime and ensure consistent output. Staying updated on best practices and safety protocols also helps operators adapt to production demands and maintain a smooth workflow.

What is the difference between Plastic Injection Molding Operator vs Plastic Molding Technician?

AspectPlastic Injection Molding OperatorPlastic Molding Technician
CertificationsTypically requires on-the-job training, sometimes certifications in machinery operationMay require additional certifications or technical training in troubleshooting
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, operating injection molding machinesSimilar environment, often involved in machine setup and maintenance
Job ResponsibilitiesOperate injection molding machines, monitor production, perform quality checksSet up, troubleshoot, and maintain molding equipment, ensure quality standards

The main difference is that Plastic Injection Molding Operators primarily focus on operating machines and monitoring production, while Plastic Molding Technicians handle setup, troubleshooting, and maintenance tasks. Both roles work in similar environments and may require comparable certifications, but technicians typically have a broader scope of technical skills.

Infographic showing various Plastic Injection Molding Operator job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $34,317 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

Sr. Tooling Engineer, Plastic Injection Molding (Starlink)

Bastrop, TX • On-site

SpaceX
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
TOOLING ENGINEER, PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDING (STARLINK)
SpaceX is developing a low-latency, broadband internet system to meet the needs of consumers across the globe. Enabled by a constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, Starlink will provide fast, reliable internet to populations with little or no connectivity, including those in rural communities and places where existing services are too expensive or unreliable.
Working directly in the materials engineering group, this position is responsible for the development, qualification, and implementation of all tooling and manufacturing process technologies required to deliver the right scalable solution at the right cost on time. The correct individual will bring an open mindset, challenge the status quo with regard to traditional vs. emerging technologies, and utilize a logical and disciplined approach to evaluate and select the correct set of solutions. The candidate will drive alignment between design, material, and process selection and will own the seamless integration of these processes into the overall process flow.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in consumer electronics product and tooling development with domestic as well as Asian suppliers, tooling material selection, resin selection, and qualification, high volume manufacturing, secondary processes, DOE experience and the ability to run multiple programs in parallel with excellent communication and collaboration skills.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Lead the development of new plastic injection tooling projects to meet a wide range of product performance and cosmetic requirements
  • Lead and refine the design for manufacturing process by collaborating with supply management, product design, industrial design, and manufacturing engineering groups on material selection, design feasibility, and aesthetics of new plastic part and tooling designs
  • Research and identify new materials, manufacturing technologies, and finish options
  • Inform estimations of prototype and production manufacturing costs - tooling, secondary assembly, secondary finishing, and piece part
  • Participate in supplier audits and final supplier selection
  • Write prototype/development tooling request for quotes (RFQs)
  • Publish and maintain a live master tooling schedule
  • Conduct final approval for tooling design by performing DFM with supplier, including reviewing draft, gating strategy, Moldflow, and Mold Warp analysis
  • Review and approve prototype/development tool designs, and tooling maintenance procedures
  • Track suppliers' weekly build progress while participating in T1 samples
  • Conduct final approval for releasing tooling to production teams by assessing part quality at tooling trials. This includes generating first article inspection (FAI) reports, Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) reports to ensure parts meet drawing and design specifications
  • Decide corrective actions and direct tooling teams to perform tooling modifications when parts to not conform to design specifications

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, materials engineering or other engineering discipline; OR 10+ years of professional experience engineering injection mold tools in lieu of a degree
  • 5+ years of professional experience in direct hands-on injection mold design and/or injection mold construction

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • 10+ years of experience in direct hands-on injection mold design and/or injection mold construction
  • Detailed understanding of plastics molding-related process variables and their impact on throughput, quality, and yield rate
  • Strong to expert-level 3D CAD skills, including advanced surfacing and large assemblies
  • Siemens NX fluency or must be able to learn and adopt it quickly as it will be the design package used
  • Knowledge and experience in scientific molding/RJG molding
  • Strong experience in setting up and performing detailed mold simulations (Autodesk Moldflow)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Willingness to travel to other SpaceX sites and/or vendors for extended periods of time (~ 50% of the time) including international
  • Ability to lift up to 40 Ibs unassisted
  • Standing and/or walking for long periods of time
  • Willingness to work long hours and weekends as necessary to accommodate manufacturing and test campaigns

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US