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Plastic Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Plastics Process Engineer

Beaumont, CA ยท On-site

$77K - $80K/yr

Process Engineer - Plastic Injection Molding (Direct Hire) Location: Beaumont, CA Job Type: Full-time | Direct Hire 3PM-11PM Job Summary We are seeking a Process Engineer (Direct Hire) to support and ...

Process Engineer

Lake Forest, CA ยท On-site

$71K/yr

Exposure to plastics manufacturing, component-level production, or contract manufacturing ... Process Engineer role offers an exciting opportunity to make scalable impact in medical ...

Process Engineer

Lake Forest, CA ยท On-site

$71K - $80K/yr

Exposure to plastics manufacturing, component-level production, or contract manufacturing ... Process Engineer role offers an exciting opportunity to make scalable impact in medical ...

Process Engineer

Lake Forest, CA ยท On-site

$71K - $80K/yr

Exposure to plastics manufacturing, component-level production, or contract manufacturing ... Process Engineer role offers an exciting opportunity to make scalable impact in medical ...

Process Engineer

Madera, CA ยท On-site

$81K - $141K/yr

Stay abreast of new equipment / process developments in the Plastics Extrusion field. * Communicate regularly to share combined knowledge with process engineers in other locations. * Serves as an ...

Process Engineer

Madera, CA ยท On-site

$81K - $141K/yr

Stay abreast of new equipment / process developments in the Plastics Extrusion field. * Communicate regularly to share combined knowledge with process engineers in other locations. * Serves as an ...

Process Engineer

Beaumont, CA ยท On-site

$77K - $80K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably Chemical, Mechanical, Materials, Plastic or Industrial ... Proven experience in plastic injection molding process, molds, machines and conceptions. DOE, FMEA ...

Process Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA ยท On-site

$95K - $120K/yr

The Process Engineer is responsible for learning, understanding, and monitoring all processes in ... Ability to wear/work with common forms of rubber and plastic use for PPE. * Occasionally lift up to ...

Process Engineer

Corona, CA ยท On-site

$73K - $92K/yr

Engineering Immediate Supervisor: Operations Manager Status: Exempt Salaried Position Purpose ... Understanding of plastics chemistry and extrusion process. * Recommended experience with advanced ...

The Process Engineer will assist with process development, equipment design, validation, and ... Experience in plastics welding, specifically ultrasonics, and injection molding * Experience with ...

The process engineer is responsible for maintaining daily production uptime of fully automated molding machines, including all subsequent pre- and post-mold operations such as trimming, insert ...

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Showing results 1-20

Plastic Process Engineer information

See California salary details

$48.9K

$90.8K

$140.6K

How much do plastic process engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for plastic process engineer in California is $90,813.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,500.00 and $101,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by plastic process engineers in optimizing manufacturing processes?

Plastic Process Engineers often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistent product quality while scaling up production, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and minimizing material waste. They must continuously monitor and adjust processing parameters like temperature, pressure, and cycle time to ensure efficiency and compliance with specifications. Collaboration with design, quality, and maintenance teams is crucial to quickly resolve issues and implement process improvements. Staying updated with new materials and technologies also plays a key role in overcoming these challenges and advancing in the field.

What does a plastic process engineer do?

A Plastic Process Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing processes involved in the manufacturing of plastic products. They work with various types of plastic materials and molding technologies, such as injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding. Their duties often include troubleshooting production issues, improving process efficiency, ensuring product quality, and collaborating with design and production teams to implement best practices. They also play a key role in selecting materials, setting process parameters, and maintaining compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

What is the difference between Plastic Process Engineer vs Plastic Technician?

AspectPlastic Process EngineerPlastic Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in plastics engineering, chemical engineering, or related fieldTechnical diploma or associate degree in plastics technology or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign, optimize, and oversee manufacturing processes in production facilitiesOperate and maintain plastic processing equipment on the production floor
ResponsibilitiesProcess development, troubleshooting, and process improvementMachine setup, operation, and quality checks

The Plastic Process Engineer focuses on designing and improving plastic manufacturing processes, requiring a higher level of education and analytical skills. In contrast, the Plastic Technician handles day-to-day machine operation and maintenance. Both roles are essential in the plastics industry, but they differ in scope and responsibilities.

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

To thrive as a Plastic Process Engineer, you need a solid background in chemical or mechanical engineering, polymer science, and process optimization, often backed by a relevant degree. Familiarity with CAD software, injection molding machines, statistical process control (SPC), and certifications like Six Sigma are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and drive continuous improvement. These competencies ensure efficient production, high product quality, and innovation in plastic manufacturing environments.
Infographic showing various Plastic Process Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,813 per year, or $43.7 per hour.

Plastics Process Engineer

Partners Personnel

Beaumont, CA โ€ข On-site

$77K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Process Engineer – Plastic Injection Molding (Direct Hire)

Location: Beaumont, CA
Job Type: Full-time | Direct Hire 3PM-11PM

Job Summary

We are seeking a Process Engineer (Direct Hire) to support and improve our plastic injection molding manufacturing operations. This role is responsible for developing and implementing process standards, driving continuous improvement initiatives, and optimizing production efficiency across the plant.

The ideal candidate will analyze manufacturing performance, identify operational gaps, and lead improvement projects that reduce cost, improve productivity, and enhance overall operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement standardized manufacturing processes within the plastic injection molding area
  • Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize production flow
  • Lead continuous improvement projects using Lean Manufacturing principles and methodologies
  • Create, track, and consolidate KPIs for plant operations
  • Analyze production gaps and develop actionable improvement plans
  • Support development and budgeting of equipment, fixtures, benches, and material handling systems
  • Optimize labor utilization, workflow, and resource efficiency
  • Participate in annual capital investment planning and operational improvement strategies
  • Develop and validate master production data and ensure accuracy within SAP
  • Prepare project reports and presentations for leadership approval committees
  • Support workforce sizing and production capacity analysis

Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Industrial, Materials, or Plastics preferred)
  • Experience in plastic injection molding manufacturing environment required
  • Strong knowledge of injection molding processes, molds, and machinery
  • Experience with Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement tools such as:
  • DOE (Design of Experiments)
  • FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
  • Fishbone (Ishikawa) analysis

Technical Skills

  • Advanced Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint
  • SAP experience required
  • Power BI (preferred)

Skills & Competencies

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Detail-oriented with strong focus on data accuracy
  • Ability to work cross-functionally in a manufacturing environment

Direct Hire Opportunity – Full Benefits Package Offered


Partners Personnel logo

About Partners Personnel

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Partners Personnel is a full-service staffing company with offices nationwide dedicated to finding the best talent for our clients and building great careers for our employees. At Partners Personnel, we are fanatics when it comes to client satisfaction! Our business model enables companies to maximize profitability by providing flexible staffing regardless of size. We carefully assess every candidateโ€™s personality, skill set, and work experience to ensure we find the right fit for each assignment, allowing our clients to focus on running their business with the best talent available for the job. Partners Personnel has experienced rapid growth since its founding in 2017 to become the 12th largest industrial staffing firm in the U.S. while expanding to over 100 branches nationwide. The strength of its culture as an SIA Best Staffing Firm to Work For and the focused purpose of โ€œhelping people and organizations improveโ€ has fueled this rapid growth. In addition to its core strength in the light industrial space, Partners has leveraged its capabilities, successful business model, and industry know-how to add Specialty Divisions to serve its growing customer and employee base further while continuing to provide exceptional service and a more personalized approach to staffing.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Barbara, CA, US

Year founded

2017

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