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Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer information

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

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for plastic injection molding process engineer in the United States is $92,018.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer do?

A Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting the injection molding process used to manufacture plastic parts. They design process parameters, select appropriate materials, and ensure the quality and efficiency of production. These engineers collaborate with design, production, and quality teams to resolve technical issues, implement process improvements, and maintain consistent product quality.

What are some typical challenges faced by Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineers during new product launches?

Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineers often encounter challenges such as optimizing process parameters to achieve consistent part quality and minimizing cycle time during new product launches. They must collaborate closely with design, tooling, and production teams to troubleshoot issues like warping, sink marks, or incomplete fills. Adjusting machines for new molds, validating process stability, and meeting tight deadlines while ensuring customer specifications are met can also be demanding. Strong problem-solving skills and effective communication are essential to navigate these complexities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or manufacturing engineering, with expertise in polymer materials and molding processes, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, mold flow simulation tools, and quality management systems like Six Sigma or ISO standards is typically required. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help engineers optimize processes and work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring efficient production, minimizing defects, and meeting quality and safety standards in a highly technical manufacturing environment.
More about Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Plastic Injection Molding Process Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $92,018 per year, or $44.2 per hour.
Process Engineer - Plastic Injection Molding

Process Engineer - Plastic Injection Molding

Now Hiring Heroes

Rockford, IL โ€ข On-site

$65K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Job description

Process Engineer โ€“ Plastic Injection Molding
Location: On-Site Manufacturing Facility
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $65k - $70k
Industry: Manufacturing / Plastics / Packaging

Position Overview
A growing manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Process Engineer with plastic injection molding expertise to support high-volume production operations. This role focuses on developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting injection molding processes to ensure efficient, consistent, and high-quality manufacturing output.
The Process Engineer works closely with process technicians, tooling teams, maintenance, quality, and production leadership to improve cycle times, reduce scrap, increase uptime, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
This position also plays a key role in new product launches, equipment upgrades, and automation integration within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities
Injection Molding Process Development
  • Develop, document, and optimize plastic injection molding processes for new and existing molds
  • Provide technical guidance to process technicians and molding operators
  • Troubleshoot molding defects, process instability, and equipment performance issues
  • Improve cycle times, scrap reduction, and process repeatability
  • Support mold trials, machine startups, and process validation
Manufacturing Process Improvement
  • Analyze production data and implement improvements to increase efficiency and OEE
  • Lead process validation activities including DOE, IQ/OQ/PQ, and capability studies
  • Identify opportunities for cost reduction and manufacturing efficiency
  • Participate in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives
Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with tooling, quality, maintenance, and operations teams
  • Support preventive and predictive maintenance strategies
  • Evaluate mold performance and recommend tooling improvements
  • Assist project teams with new product introductions
Automation & Equipment Integration
  • Support integration of molding cells with robotics, vision inspection, and automated packaging systems
  • Assist with installation and commissioning of molding machines and auxiliary equipment
  • Identify automation opportunities to improve production efficiency

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelorโ€™s Degree in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 5+ years of experience in plastic injection molding manufacturing
  • Experience with high-speed injection molding processes
  • Experience developing scientific molding processes
  • Experience conducting Design of Experiments (DOE)
  • Experience troubleshooting molding processes and mold issues
  • Strong understanding of Statistical Process Control (SPC)

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with thin-wall packaging applications
  • Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification
  • Continuous Improvement Green Belt certification
  • Training in Scientific Molding or RJG technology
  • Experience integrating robotics or automated production systems
  • Experience working in regulated manufacturing environments

Technical Skills
  • Knowledge of polypropylene, polyethylene, and other packaging resins
  • Strong understanding of OEE metrics and process improvement
  • Experience performing root cause analysis and process troubleshooting
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office
  • Familiarity with ERP or MES manufacturing systems

Why This Role
  • Work in a modern manufacturing environment
  • Opportunity to lead process improvement initiatives
  • Exposure to high-speed production and advanced automation
  • Impact production efficiency, quality, and operational performance