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Plastics Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Charlottesville, VA · On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Senior Manufacturing Engineer Plastic Injection Molding | Medical Device Manufacturing Location : Charlottesville, VA 22911 Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates. This is NOT a ...

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Charlottesville, VA

$90K - $123K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related field * 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, ideally ...

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Charlottesville, VA

$90K - $123K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related field * 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, ideally ...

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Charlottesville, VA

$90K - $123K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or related field * 5+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, ideally ...

Plastic Technician

Daleville, VA · On-site

$21 - $24/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Eldor Automotive Powertrain USA is looking for a Plastics Technician to join our Plastics ... Collaborate with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to achieve departmental ...

Process Engineer

Wytheville, VA · On-site

$80K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in industrial, Chemical, Plastics, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering is preferred. * Possess an understanding of blends and how resin is produced from other manufacturers.

Process Engineer (Manufacturing)

Wytheville, VA · On-site

$80K - $98K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's degree in industrial, Chemical, Plastics, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering is preferred. * Possess an understanding of blends and how resin is produced from other manufacturers.

Be Seen First

Sales Applications Engineer

La Crosse, VA · On-site

$18 - $30/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

American Industrial Heat Transfer is looking for a Sales Application Engineer to work in our office ... Knowledge in areas of heat transfer, hydraulics, and plastics industry and the manufacturing is a ...

Quality Engineer

Danville, VA · On-site

$70 - $90/hr

ASQ certification or equivalent quality certification preferred. * 3-5 years of quality engineering experience in battery manufacturing, coatings, plastics, chemical processing, automotive, or ...

New

Sales Representative

Front Royal, VA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Toray Plastics (America), Inc., is a films and chemical manufacturer, which is a $450 million ... Works directly with engineering, product development, technical service, manufacturing, quality and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Plastics Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$36.2K

$64.7K

$107.6K

How much do plastics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for plastics engineer in Virginia is $64,706.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,100.00 and $78,800.00 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.

What are the most commonly searched types of Plastics Engineer jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Plastics Engineer jobs in Virginia are:

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Plastics Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $64,706 per year, or $31.1 per hour.

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Pop-Up Talent

Charlottesville, VA • On-site

$100K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO

Re-posted 4 days ago


Job description

Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Plastic Injection Molding | Medical Device Manufacturing
Location: Charlottesville, VA 22911
Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.
 
This is NOT a general manufacturing engineering position.
 
We're seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer with hands-on expertise in plastic injection molding within a regulated manufacturing environment (medical device strongly preferred).
 
If your background is primarily automotive, aerospace, machining, assembly, or general manufacturing without injection molding ownership, this role is likely not the right fit.
 
YOU'LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

  • Leading plastic injection molding process development and optimization
  • Driving automation, robotics, and manufacturing process improvements
  • Supporting new product introductions (NPI), tooling validation, and process validation
  • Troubleshooting molding defects and implementing corrective actions
  • Leading Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Partnering with Engineering, Quality, Operations, and suppliers to improve manufacturing performance
  • Ensuring manufacturing processes comply with quality and regulatory requirements

 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

  • At least 5+ years of Manufacturing Engineering experience supporting plastic injection molding
  • Hands-on experience with: Scientific Molding | Mold Tooling and Qualification | Injection Molding Process Development | Process Optimization | Automation and Manufacturing Improvements
  • Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment, preferably medical device manufacturing
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline

Preferred Experience:

  • Medical device manufacturing
  • FDA and/or ISO 13485 regulated environments
  • IQ/OQ/PQ process validation
  • PFMEA, Control Plans, DOE, and SPC
  • Robotics, vision systems, and automated manufacturing equipment

 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  • Work Authorization: Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. This employer is unable to sponsor or transfer employment visas at this time
  • If you've built your career improving plastic injection molding processes in a regulated manufacturing environment and enjoy solving complex manufacturing challenges through automation, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you

 
Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.
 
req26-00457