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Plastics Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Design Engineer - Plastics

Everett, WA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

The Design Engineer - Plastics is responsible for designing and testing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyolefin (PO) plastic film/sheet products for calendering and extrusion manufacturing processes.

Manufacturing Engineer (Plastics)

Clearwater, MN · On-site

$72K - $93K/yr

The Manufacturing Engineer will work collaboratively with Quality, Product Engineers, Supply Chain, Production and Maintenance to meet short and long term TO Plastics business Objectives. The ...

Manufacturing Engineer (Plastics)

Clearwater, MN · On-site

$72K - $93K/yr

The Manufacturing Engineer will work collaboratively with Quality, Product Engineers, Supply Chain, Production and Maintenance to meet short and long term TO Plastics business Objectives. The ...

Design Engineer - Plastics

Everett, WA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

The Design Engineer - Plastics is responsible for designing and testing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyolefin (PO) plastic film/sheet products for calendering and extrusion manufacturing processes.

Sr Engineer, Plastics

Bridgeport, CT · On-site

$105K - $136K/yr

The Plastics/Injection Molding Engineer is responsible for driving mold process development and injection molding projects through adherence to established product design, scientific injection ...

Sr Engineer, Plastics

Bridgeport, CT · On-site

$105K - $136K/yr

The Plastics/Injection Molding Engineer is responsible for driving mold process development and injection molding projects through adherence to established product design, scientific injection ...

Senior Plastics and Composites Engineer

Evans, GA · On-site

$88K - $121K/yr

The position offers the opportunity to be a Plastics and Composites Engineer and work on a variety of growth initiatives in the electric and ICE vehicle space. The position requires the passion for ...

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Plastics Engineer information

See salary details

$36.5K

$65.3K

$108.5K

How much do plastics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for plastics engineer in the United States is $65,265.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $79,500.00 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 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 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 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 cities are hiring for Plastics Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Plastics Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Plastics Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Plastics Engineer jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Plastics Engineer jobs? The top employers for Plastics Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Plastics Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Plastics Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Plastics Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,265 per year, or $31.4 per hour.
Plastic Engineer

Other

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Description

Engineer I is the entry level engineering position for manufacturing engineering. The engineer will work under the direct supervision of a manager and/or more experienced team members, to support the improvements in manufacturing quality, capacity, and stability through solving problems, developing solutions, and executing strategies. The position is intended to prepare engineers new to the medical device industry for advancement to the next level of Engineer II.


The Engineer I role is responsible for day-to-day production support, developing, maintaining and improving production processes. This role will be responsible for supporting and optimizing injection molding processes for plastic components used in manufacturing operations. This role ensures high-quality production, cost efficiency, and compliance with industry standards while driving continuous improvement initiatives.

  • Develop and validate injection molding processes for new and existing products.
  • Establish and maintain process parameters to ensure consistent quality and efficiency.
  • Implement lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement strategies.
  • Collaborate with tooling vendors for mold design, maintenance, and improvements.
  • Specify and procure injection molding machines, auxiliary equipment, and automation systems.
  • Participate in equipment development, provide support of User Requirement Specification (URS) creation, Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and Site Acceptance Test (SAT) activities.
  • Troubleshoot tooling and equipment issues to minimize downtime.
  • Develop and maintain process documentation, including work instructions, process monitoring sheets and pFMEAs.
  • Conduct root cause analysis and corrective actions for defects and process deviations.
  • Provide support for CAPA (Corrective Action and Preventive Action), and NC's (Non-conformances) efforts as assigned.
  • Ensure compliance with new QMSR and customer requirements.
  • Work closely with product development and design engineering to ensure manufacturability of plastic parts.
  •  Act as subject matter expert for plastics engineering activities to support new product introduction (NPI) and participate in design reviews.
  • Provide technical guidance to production teams and train operators on best practices.
  • Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cycle time, scrap rate, and efficiency.
  • Prepare reports and present findings to management for decision-making.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's Degree or higher in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or other engineering discipline.
  • 0 years of experience required.
  • Proactive learner.
  • Strong knowledge of polymer materials and their properties.
  • Must have good interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Proficient in CAD, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Job Qualifications:

  • Knowledge of scientific molding principles.
  • Certification in plastics engineering or related field.

Physical / Mental Demands:

Working conditions are normal for an office environment.

Work may require weekend and evening work.

Work may require travel.

Physical activity includes sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, reaching above shoulders and lifting up to 40 pounds.

Work under stress in a fast-paced environment.

Must be alert, able to concentrate, and use good judgment.