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Plastics Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. * 2+ years of experience in a plastics processing or manufacturing environment. * Strong ...

The Plastics Process Engineer is responsible for setting up, adjusting, and maintaining plastic injection molding processes to ensure the consistent production of high-quality automotive components.

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 ...

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 ...

Showing results 41-60

Plastics Engineer information

See salary details

$36.5K

$65.3K

$108.5K

How much do plastics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 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 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 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 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 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 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,265 per year, or $31.4 per hour.

Process Engineer - Plastics

American Plastics LLC

Jefferson City, MO • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
American Plastics, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative plastic-injection molded products for the household & garage storage and commercial cleaning end-markets. We are searching for an energetic driven Process Engineer for our Jefferson City, MO location. This position will spend 90% of their time on the plant floor and will report to the Plant Manager.
Responsibilities:
• Coordinate & run processing trials for both materials and product development
• Develop & run design of experiments
• Program robots for optimum cycle time and Training Production Staff as needed
• Lead troubleshooting and develop permanent corrective action for various product defects
• Lead continuous improvement teams for cycle time & scrap reduction
• Assist with production for startup, shut down
• Lead corrective action teams for root cause analysis and permanent corrective action procedures
• Analyze, develop and implement workstation layouts for labor optimization
• Other duties as assigned by Management
• Lead New Product Development APQP meetings
• Lead New Product/Customer Quote Inquires as required
Requirements
Requirements:
• Bachelor's degree in Plastic Engineering or related field
• Minimum of 2 years in processing engineering experience - Degree may be waived based on relevant experience
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• May participate in housekeeping, 6S, and/or in Lean activities
• Other duties and special projects as assigned by Management
• Must have experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Expectations:
• Run a safe, clean operation which promotes zero accidents
• Follow all company procedures and policies
• Work well with all levels of employees and Management
• Work overtime as required to complete all required tasks
If you are interested in joining the American Plastics team and want to work in a fast-paced, progressive environment, we want to hear from you. We offer a competitive salary, full benefit package including medical/dental, 401k, and paid vacation.