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Plastics Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Apple Inc.

Tooling Engineer - Plastics

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$163.50 - $246.20/hr

Collaborate with supply management, product design, industrial design, and manufacturing engineering groups on material selection, design feasibility and aesthetics of new plastic part & tooling ...

Avantor Inc.

Plastics Design Engineer

Bridgewater, NJ · On-site

Avantor is looking for a Plastics Design Engineer to be responsible for hands-on execution of various project activities. They play a key role in supporting the design, development, and qualification ...

AMRESCO

Plastics Design Engineer

Bridgewater, NJ

Avantor is looking for a Plastics Design Engineer to be responsible for hands-on execution of various project activities. They play a key role in supporting the design, development, and qualification ...

Avantor, Inc.

Plastics Design Engineer

Bridgewater, NJ · On-site

Avantor is looking for a Plastics Design Engineer to be responsible for hands-on execution of various project activities. They play a key role in supporting the design, development, and qualification ...

Truck-Lite

Plastics Tooling Engineer

Erie, PA · On-site

Will serve as the technical expert for plastic part design and development on a multi-disciplinary Engineering team. Products include (but are not limited to) LED headlamps & fog lamps, LED signal ...

Polaris, Inc.

$76K - $100K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. * Minimum of 3 years of product development experience with plastic ...

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All JobsPlastics Engineer Jobs

Plastics Engineer information

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$36.5K

$65.3K

$108.5K

How much do plastics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 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 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.

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Plastics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plastics Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,265 per year, or $31.4 per hour.

Plastics Mechanical Engineer

360 Recruiter Accelerator

Cincinnati, OH • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted yesterday

Key responsibilities

  • Develop, document, and optimize injection molding processes for new and existing plastic components, including parameter definition and process window establishment.

  • Collaborate with product design teams to apply DFM principles, providing input on part geometry, material selection, and tolerances to ensure robust manufacturability.

  • Plan and execute mold trials and tool qualifications, including capability studies, dimensional validation, and process verification against specifications.

Job description

Job Description Step into a key engineering role with a company that designs and manufactures high-performance plastic components for demanding applications. This is a chance to own the injection molding process end-to-end, from concept through tool qualification, and directly influence product quality, manufacturability, and cost. You'll join a team that values rigorous engineering, robust quality systems, and continuous improvement on the shop floor.

About the Role: You will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and validating plastic injection molding processes and tooling to meet stringent dimensional and quality requirements. Working closely with design, tooling, and manufacturing teams, you will ensure parts are engineered for manufacturability and comply with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements. Your work will have a direct impact on production efficiency, product performance, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities: Develop, document, and optimize injection molding processes for new and existing plastic components, including parameter definition and process window establishment. Collaborate with product design teams to apply DFM principles, providing input on part geometry, material selection, and tolerances to ensure robust manufacturability. Lead mold design reviews with toolmakers, assessing gate locations, cooling layouts, venting, and steel conditions to achieve dimensional stability and cycle time targets.

Plan and execute mold trials and tool qualifications, including capability studies, dimensional validation, and process verification against specifications. Define and implement dimensional metrology strategies, including measurement plans, inspection methods, and sampling schemes for critical features. Partner with quality engineering to align molding processes with quality systems, control plans, and regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance and traceability.

Troubleshoot molding and tooling issues on the production floor, driving root cause analysis and corrective actions to stabilize processes and reduce scrap. Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, yield improvement, and cost optimization while maintaining quality standards. Key Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a closely related discipline.

3+ years professional experience as a mechanical or plastics engineer in injection molding operations. Proven experience in plastic injection molding process engineering within a manufacturing environment. Hands-on background in mold design review and tooling qualification for production molds.

Strong understanding of dimensional metrology techniques and interpretation of engineering drawings and GD&T. Practical experience working within formal quality systems, including process control, documentation, and nonconformance management. Solid knowledge of relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements for plastics components and manufacturing processes.

Demonstrated ability to conduct structured root cause analysis and implement data-driven process improvements. Effective cross-functional communication skills, with the ability to work closely with design, tooling, production, and quality teams. Desirable Skills: Experience with advanced molding technologies such as scientific molding, hot runner systems, or multi-cavity high-volume tools.

Familiarity with CAD tools for reviewing part and mold designs. Exposure to statistical tools and methodologies, such as DOE and capability analysis, for process optimization. Background in automotive, medical, or other highly regulated industries.

Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles applied to plastics processing.

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