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Plastic Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

West-Tech Materials

Sales Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

... including plastic extrusion, braiding, coiling, coating and plastic injection molding. Our new ... Knowledge of precision machining, laser processing, engineered materials technology & clean room ...

West-Tech Materials

Sales Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

... including plastic extrusion, braiding, coiling, coating and plastic injection molding. Our new ... Knowledge of precision machining, laser processing, engineered materials technology & clean room ...

ReSource Chemical Corp.

Process Technician

Oakland, CA · On-site

Plastics have become indispensable for nearly every major industry, but conventional plastics ... Bachelor's degree in chemical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental, or Electrical Engineering, or a ...

ReSource Chemical Corp.

Process Technician

Oakland, CA · On-site

Plastics have become indispensable for nearly every major industry, but conventional plastics ... Bachelor's degree in chemical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental, or Electrical Engineering, or a ...

Meissner Filtration Products

$106K - $146K/yr

You own engineering-led supplier strategy for our most complex, highest-impact programsarchitecting ... plastics processing, and raw material supply; establish supplier capability profiles and ...

Meissner

Senior Sourcing Engineer

Camarillo, CA

$106K - $146K/yr

You own engineering-led supplier strategy for our most complex, highest-impact programs ... plastics processing, and raw material supply; establish supplier capability profiles and ...

Apple

Materials Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

As a Materials Engineer within the Product Design organization, you will drive the development of new plastic materials and processes to meet the structural and aesthetic requirements across a wide ...

New

Bausch+Lomb Companies Inc.

The engineer will drive the design, qualification, and continuous improvement of primary plastic ... Experience with plastics conversion processes such as injection molding, thermoforming, form-fill ...

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All JobsPlastic Process Engineer JobsPlastic Process Engineer Jobs in California

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.
What are popular job titles related to Plastic Process Engineer jobs in California? For Plastic Process Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Plastic Process Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Plastic Process Engineer jobs in California are:
Plastic Process Engineer jobs near you
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.

Application Engineer - Plastics

Minth North America

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Minth North America rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Role Overview

Minth Group is a global Tier‑1 supplier with a strong manufacturing and engineering footprint across North America (United States, Mexico, Canada) and global operations in Asia and Europe. Building on its leadership in automotive systems and advanced manufacturing, Minth is expanding into robotics, AI server cooling systems, advanced power and energy systems, and other non‑automotive growth areas.

The Application & Product Engineer – Plastics is a customer‑facing technical role responsible for supporting plastic product development, feasibility study etc. for next‑generation products. This position bridges customer requirements, product concepts, and real manufacturing capability, supported by Minth’s North America plants and global engineering resources.

Key Responsibilities

  • Product Engineering & Feasibility
  1. Evaluate technical feasibility of plastic parts and subsystems for robotics, AI cooling, and energy‑related applications
  2. Support material selection, part architecture, and design trade‑off discussions
  3. Identify technical risks early and communicate clearly to internal teams and customers
  • Customer & Technical Sales Support
  1. Participate in customer technical discussions, RFIs, and RFQs
  2. Support early project nomination activities through technical clarification and feasibility presentations
  3. Work with sales and strategy teams as the technical interface for plastic products
  • Manufacturing & Process Awareness
  1. Collaborate with manufacturing teams in North America and globally to assess: - Injection molding feasibility
  2. Tooling concepts and risks - Quality, yield, and scalability considerations
  3. Provide manufacturing‑reality input before any commitments are made
  • Technology & Product Exploration
  1. Participate in exploration of new materials, processes, and product concepts relevant to future markets
  2. Support internal evaluation of whether new ideas are technically and commercially realistic for Minth

Qualifications

  • Required
  1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related field
  2. 5+ years of experience in plastic product development (automotive, industrial, robotics, aerospace, or related)
  3. Exposure to plastic materials and manufacturing processes
  4. Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly in customer and internal settings
  • Preferred (Not Required)
  1. Injection molding or tooling experience
  2. Familiarity with automotive or industrial plastic materials (PA, PBT, PP, PC, ABS, etc.)
  3. Experience supporting RFQs or customer engineering discussions

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