ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Plastics Engineer Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Hillenbrand

Fitter Welder

Sabetha, KS · On-site

$19 - $24/hr

Hillenbrand is a global industrial company that provides highly engineered, mission-critical ... plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose Shape What Matters For Tomorrow we pursue ...

Hillenbrand

Welding Operations II

Sabetha, KS · On-site

Hillenbrand (www.hillenbrand.com) is a global industrial company that provides highly engineered ... plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose - Shape What Matters For Tomorrow™ - we ...

Hillenbrand

Welding Operations II

Sabetha, KS · On-site

Hillenbrand (www.hillenbrand.com) is a global industrial company that provides highly engineered ... plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose - Shape What Matters For Tomorrow - we pursue ...

Hillenbrand

Fitter Welder

Sabetha, KS · On-site

$19 - $24/hr

Hillenbrand is a global industrial company that provides highly engineered, mission-critical ... plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose Shape What Matters For Tomorrow we pursue ...

Hillenbrand

Fitter Welder

Sabetha, KS · On-site

$19 - $24/hr

Hillenbrand (www.hillenbrand.com) is a global industrial company that provides highly engineered ... plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose - Shape What Matters For Tomorrow - we pursue ...

Hillenbrand

Fitter Welder

Sabetha, KS · On-site

$19 - $24/hr

Hillenbrand (www.hillenbrand.com) is a global industrial company that provides highly engineered ... plastics, food, and recycling. Guided by our Purpose - Shape What Matters For Tomorrow™ - we ...

Solenis LLC

Production Supervisor

Olathe, KS · On-site

Proven experience fabricating, machining, and welding/joining stainless steel and PVC plastic. * Blueprint Reading : Proven ability to read and interpret complex technical drawings and engineering ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsPlastics Engineer JobsPlastics Engineer Jobs in Kansas

Plastics Engineer information

See Kansas salary details

$32.6K

$58.2K

$96.8K

How much do plastics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for plastics engineer in Kansas is $58,207.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,300.00 and $70,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a plastics engineer?

As a plastics engineer, you design and develop products and goods made with plastic material. You find ways to improve the manufacturing process, lower the cost of manufacturing, design molding for plastic products, establish parameters and specifications for new designs, and collaborate with plastics engineers and other colleagues. The qualifications for a career as a plastics engineer are a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology or plastics engineering and a professional engineering (PE) license. You need an understanding of the properties of plastics and strong math skills to get jobs in plastics engineering.

What do plastics engineers do?

Plastics Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and manufacture products made from plastic materials. They work on selecting appropriate plastics, developing new materials, and optimizing manufacturing processes to produce durable, efficient, and cost-effective products. Their responsibilities often include testing materials, troubleshooting production issues, and ensuring products meet safety and quality standards. Plastics Engineers play a key role in industries such as automotive, packaging, medical devices, and consumer goods.

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

To thrive as a Plastics Engineer, you need a solid background in polymer science, materials engineering, and manufacturing processes, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools, and industry standards such as ASTM or ISO, as well as certifications like Six Sigma, are often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the development of high-quality, cost-effective plastic products and successful collaboration with cross-functional teams.

What are some common challenges faced by plastics engineers in managing material selection for new products?

Plastics Engineers often encounter challenges when selecting materials for new products, as they must balance performance requirements, cost constraints, manufacturability, and environmental impacts. Navigating the vast array of plastic resins and additives requires a deep understanding of how different materials behave under various conditions. Additionally, engineers must collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure chosen materials meet industry standards and customer expectations. Staying updated with advances in sustainable plastics and recycling technologies is also increasingly important in this role.

What is the difference between Plastics Engineer vs Materials Scientist?

AspectPlastics EngineerMaterials Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Plastics Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Materials ScienceBachelor's or higher in Materials Science, Chemistry, or Physics
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, R&D labs, product design facilitiesResearch labs, academic institutions, industrial R&D
Industry UsagePlastic product manufacturing, packaging, automotive, consumer goodsMaterial development, research, quality testing across industries

Plastics Engineers focus on designing, developing, and testing plastic products and processes, often working directly in manufacturing settings. Materials Scientists conduct research on materials' properties and develop new materials, typically in research or academic environments. While both roles require a background in materials, Plastics Engineers are more application-oriented, whereas Materials Scientists focus on fundamental research.

More about Plastics Engineer jobs

What are popular job titles related to Plastics Engineer jobs in Kansas?

For Plastics Engineer jobs in Kansas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Plastics Engineer jobs in Kansas look for?

The top searched job categories for Plastics Engineer jobs in Kansas are:

What cities in Kansas are hiring for Plastics Engineer jobs?

Cities in Kansas with the most Plastics Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Plastics Engineer jobs in KS?

For Plastics Engineer jobs in KS, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Plastics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plastics Engineer job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,207 per year, or $28 per hour.

Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Rehrig Pacific Company

De Soto, KS • On-site

$106K - $131K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Rehrig Pacific Company rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

47th of 85 rated plastic manufacturers

Job description

Purpose of Role

The Engineering Manager is accountable for leading engineering projects and team to support plant performance in safety, process improvement, expansion, and new product development. This role ensures effective execution of engineering initiatives by establishing strong cross-functional partnerships and driving continuous improvement of systems and processes. The Engineering Manager identifies gaps, defines future state capabilities, and leads structured improvement efforts to support plant metrics.

Areas of Accountabilities

Lead and Develop Engineering Team

· Lead, prioritize, and delegate engineering projects aligned with plant priorities in partnership with the Plant Manager.

· Develop team capability through coaching, feedback, and support of the Engineering Development Program (EDP).

· Ensure engineers have the skills and development plans needed to meet current and future business needs.

Execute Engineering Projects

· Ensure delivery of engineering projects on time and within budget.

· Lead local implementation of national engineering initiatives with strong change management practices.

· Partner with cross-functional teams to support successful new product development (NPD) and plant startup readiness.

Drive Continuous Improvement and Process Excellence

· Identify gaps in engineering systems and define future-state processes.

· Utilize the Rehrig Management System to standardize, audit, and continuously improve engineering processes.

· Lead engineering efforts that deliver cost savings, process improvements, automation, reliability enhancements, and operational excellence objectives that support the company's long-term business strategy.

Cross Functional Partnerships

· Collaborate with Plant Leadership, New Product Development, and Reliability leadership to align engineering priorities with business needs.

· Provide engineering expertise to support customer solutions and plant performance.

· Promote cross-functional problem solving and knowledge sharing across plants.

Lead Safety, Culture, and Engagement

· Champion safety initiatives and ensure engineering aligns with plant safety expectations.

· Lead with company values and foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

· Partner with Human Capital to support hiring, onboarding, development, and retention strategies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

· Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.

· 3+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment (plastic injection molding preferred).

· Demonstrated ability to lead projects and develop standardized processes.

· Experience leading or developing others in a team environment preferred.

· Strong project management and prioritization skills.

· Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive change.

· Experience managing budgets, timelines, and resources for engineering projects.

· Willingness to travel up to 10%

What Rehrig Pacific Company employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom