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Plastic Tooling Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Apple

Tooling Engineer - Plastics

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Description Lead the development of new plastic injection tooling projects to meet a wide range of ... Train engineers at supplier plants in Asia to utilize new tooling materials and fabrication ...

Apple

Tooling Engineer - Plastics

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Description Lead the development of new plastic injection tooling projects to meet a wide range of ... Train engineers at supplier plants in Asia to utilize new tooling materials and fabrication ...

Apple

Tooling Engineer - Plastics

Cupertino, CA

$163K - $246K/yr

Description Lead the development of new plastic injection tooling projects to meet a wide range of ... Train engineers at supplier plants in Asia to utilize new tooling materials and fabrication ...

Apple Inc.

Tooling Engineer - Plastics

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$163.50 - $246.20/hr

Description Lead the development of new plastic injection tooling projects to meet a wide range of ... Train engineers at supplier plants in Asia to utilize new tooling materials and fabrication ...

Apple

Tooling Engineer - Plastics

Cupertino, CA

$194K - $293K/yr

Description Lead the development of new plastic injection tooling projects to meet a wide range of ... Train engineers at supplier plants in Asia to utilize new tooling materials and fabrication ...

Kelly Services

Tooling Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$55 - $65/hr

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, (A PLUS) or a related technical experience. * 4-6 years of tooling engineering experience within a ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

pelican

Tooling Engineer II

Torrance, CA · On-site

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related engineering discipline. * 4-6 years of experience in tooling engineering, mold design, tooling ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsPlastic Tooling Engineer JobsPlastic Tooling Engineer Jobs in California

Plastic Tooling Engineer information

See California salary details

$53.3K

$108.5K

$161.4K

How much do plastic tooling engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for plastic tooling engineer in California is $108,547.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,900.00 and $121,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a plastic tooling engineer?

A Plastic Tooling Engineer is a specialized professional responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining molds and tooling used in the manufacturing of plastic parts and products. They work closely with product designers, machinists, and production teams to ensure that the tooling meets specifications for quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Their work involves material selection, CAD modeling, troubleshooting tooling issues, and optimizing the manufacturing process for plastic components. Plastic Tooling Engineers play a crucial role in industries such as automotive, consumer goods, and electronics, where precision and reliability in plastic parts are essential.

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

To thrive as a Plastic Tooling Engineer, you need expertise in mechanical engineering principles, plastics manufacturing, and tooling design, often backed by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, mold flow analysis tools, and knowledge of industry standards or certifications such as Six Sigma is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and resolving production challenges. These abilities ensure the efficient design, manufacture, and optimization of plastic tooling, leading to high-quality products and cost-effective processes.

What are some common challenges faced by plastic tooling engineers during the design and manufacturing process?

Plastic Tooling Engineers often encounter challenges such as achieving precise tolerances, managing material flow, and minimizing defects like warping or sink marks. Balancing design complexity with manufacturability is crucial, as intricate parts can increase tooling costs and difficulty. Effective communication with product designers, mold makers, and production teams is essential to ensure that tooling meets both quality standards and project timelines. Staying updated on new materials and tooling technologies can also help overcome these challenges and improve production efficiency.

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

AspectPlastic Tooling EngineerInjection Molding Technician
Primary FocusDesign, develop, and maintain plastic molds and toolingOperate and troubleshoot injection molding machines
Skills & CertificationsCAD, mold design, manufacturing processesMachine operation, quality control, troubleshooting
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, manufacturing plants, mold shopsProduction floors, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageUsed across automotive, consumer goods, medical devices

The Plastic Tooling Engineer focuses on designing and developing molds, ensuring they meet specifications, while the Injection Molding Technician operates and maintains the molding machines to produce parts. Both roles are essential in plastic manufacturing but differ in their responsibilities and skill sets.

What cities in California are hiring for Plastic Tooling Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Plastic Tooling Engineer job openings:

Plastic Tooling Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plastic Tooling Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $108,547 per year, or $52.2 per hour.

Tooling Engineer - Plastics

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 683 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish.
The people here at Apple don't just build products - they craft the kind of wonder that's revolutionized entire industries. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Join Apple, and help us leave the world better than we found it.
Description
Lead the development of new plastic injection tooling projects to meet a wide range of product performance and cosmetic requirements.
Lead Apple suppliers to design and produce world-class plastic tooling. Lead tool design and build, tool and process development and tool qualifications at the supplier.
Collaborate with supply management, product design, industrial design, and manufacturing engineering groups on material selection, design feasibility and aesthetics of new plastic part & tooling designs.
Serve as Apple's internal plastic tooling and manufacturing authority by demonstrating a thorough understanding of properties of various mold-making materials and tool component fabrication techniques.
Institute continuous process improvement measures from initial product design through production ramp of new products.
Proficient with the use of Design For Manufacturing, SPC, DOE and Six Sigma techniques.
Take the leading role in driving the improvement of productivity and quality of plastic part manufacturing, molding and tooling techniques.
Train engineers at supplier plants in Asia to utilize new tooling materials and fabrication techniques.
Develop collaborative relationships with Apple suppliers through training and quality control visits. Advise supplier plants on maintaining correct controls on the processes.
Minimum Qualifications
Position requires 10+ years in the mold making and molding industry
25% Travel required
Preferred Qualifications
Extensive experience in tooling design and manufacturing required.
Knowledge of plastic materials and design for manufacturing in terms of geometry and cosmetic quality.
Lens and optical tooling experience
Experience in developing plastic processing parameters.
Experience in leading complex development programs with overseas vendors (Asia) is preferred.
Excellent written and oral communication skills are necessary.
BS or MS Plastics Engineer preferred

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apple logo

About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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