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Principal Plastics Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Diality Inc

Principal Mechnical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$165K - $188K/yr

The Principal Mechanical Engineer will provide technical leadership for the design and development ... Lead component and material selection, including electromechanical components, plastics, metals ...

Diality

Principal Mechnical Engineer

Irvine, CA

$165K - $188K/yr

The Principal Mechanical Engineer will provide technical leadership for the design and development ... Lead component and material selection, including electromechanical components, plastics, metals ...

AEVEX

Principal Aerospace Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

Job Overview The Principal Aeromechanical Engineer is responsible for leading and overseeing the ... plastic, and composite material properties Ability to solve basic structural dynamics problems ...

AEVEX

Principal Aerospace Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

Job Overview The Principal Aeromechanical Engineer is responsible for leading and overseeing the ... Understanding of metallic, plastic, and composite material properties * Ability to solve basic ...

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Principal Plastics Engineer information

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$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do principal plastics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal plastics engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a principal plastics engineer do?

A Principal Plastics Engineer is a senior expert responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing plastic components and manufacturing processes in various industries. They lead projects involving material selection, mold design, and process improvements to ensure product quality and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, they provide technical guidance to engineering teams, troubleshoot production issues, and stay updated on advancements in plastics technology. Their expertise is crucial in industries like automotive, medical devices, consumer goods, and electronics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a principal plastics engineer?

To thrive as a Principal Plastics Engineer, you need deep expertise in polymer science, materials engineering, and product design, typically supported by a degree in chemical, mechanical, or plastics engineering and significant industry experience. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools (like Moldflow), and knowledge of manufacturing processes such as injection molding and extrusion are essential, along with certifications like Six Sigma or relevant industry credentials. Strong project management, problem-solving, and communication skills help you lead multidisciplinary teams and drive innovation. These skills and qualities are vital to ensure efficient product development, high-quality plastic components, and successful collaboration across engineering and manufacturing teams.

What are some typical cross-functional collaborations for a principal plastics engineer, and how do these interactions influence project outcomes?

As a Principal Plastics Engineer, you will regularly collaborate with cross-functional teams including product design, manufacturing, quality assurance, and supply chain. These interactions are essential for ensuring that plastic components meet design specifications, manufacturability, and regulatory standards. Effective communication and teamwork can significantly influence a project's timeline and success by addressing potential issues early and integrating feedback from multiple stakeholders. This collaborative environment fosters innovation and can lead to more efficient product development cycles.

What is the difference between Principal Plastics Engineer vs Plastics Development Engineer?

AspectPrincipal Plastics EngineerPlastics Development Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Polymer Science or Chemical Engineering, often with 10+ years experienceBachelor's/Master's in Polymer Science or Chemical Engineering, typically with 3-7 years experience
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing plants, R&D departmentsProduct development teams, R&D labs, manufacturing settings
Employer & Industry UsageLarge plastics companies, automotive, aerospace, consumer goodsMaterial suppliers, plastics manufacturers, product design firms

The Principal Plastics Engineer typically holds more experience and oversees complex projects, providing strategic direction. In contrast, the Plastics Development Engineer focuses on developing new plastics formulations and prototypes. Both roles require strong technical skills, but the principal position involves higher-level leadership and project management responsibilities.

What cities are hiring for Principal Plastics Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Principal Plastics Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Principal Plastics Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Principal Plastics Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Principal Plastics Engineer jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Principal Plastics Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal Engineer, NPD

Irvine, CA • On-site

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Edwards Lifesciences Corporationexternal

$121K - $171K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Edwards Lifesciences rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 31 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Aortic stenosis impacts millions of people globally, yet it often remains under-diagnosed and under-treated. Edwards' groundbreaking work in transcatheter aortic heart valve replacement (TAVR) pioneered an innovative, life-changing solution for patients by offering heart valve replacement without the need for open heart surgery. Our Transcatheter Heart Valve (THV) business unit continues to partner with cardiologists and clinical teams to transform patient care with devices supported by clinical evidence. It's our driving force to help patients live longer and healthier lives. Join us and be part of our inspiring journey.
The THV Balloon Expandable Delivery System New Product Development (NPD) team is looking for a Principal Engineer to support the development of our next-generation balloon expandable delivery systems. The Principal Engineer will have the opportunity to drive process design and characterization, work on a strong cross-functional team, and partner with the commercial site on process validations and commercialization activities.
How you will make an impact:
  • Develop manufacturing processes suitable for Class II/III medical devices; apply design controls, traceability, and change management throughout product development and commercialization.
  • Design and execute experiments, analyze data, establish process windows, and continuously improve manufacturing capability using statistical and engineering methodologies.
  • Lead validation strategies and execution for equipment, software, processes, and manufacturing systems.
  • Develop scaling and replication approaches for equipment and processes across sites, including comparability studies to demonstrate equivalency between pilot and production environments.
  • Develop approaches for scaling and replicating manufacturing equipment and processes across sites.
  • Design and support manufacturing automation and digital infrastructure, including PLCs, SCADA, MES, industrial networking, and electronic records.
  • Lead highly matrixed teams across organizations, functions, suppliers, and manufacturing locations.
  • Serve as a trusted advisor across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Project Management, and suppliers; communicate risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to build alignment and resolve complex challenges.

What you'll need:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Scientific field with 6 years of related experience, including either industry or industry/education, OR
  • Master's Degree in Engineering or Scientific field with 5 years of related experience, including either industry or industry/education.

What else we look for:
  • Relevant experience and expertise working in the medical device industry, specifically within manufacturing operations and/or New Product Development.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of catheter assembly process technologies, including adhesive bonding, thermal bonding, tube flaring, coatings, vision systems, plastics, metals, and related manufacturing technologies.
  • Strong understanding of mechanical systems, sensors, actuators, pneumatics, motors, drives, controls, troubleshooting, and machine safety principles.
  • Hands-on, execution-focused, comfortable operating in ambiguity, motivated by patient impact, and skilled at bridging innovation with manufacturing reality.
  • Technical experience in a manufacturing engineering environment, including sound understanding of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S).
  • Process development and excellence: Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Six Sigma, and LEAN.
  • Prior experience working with supplier development teams.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills, including negotiation and relationship management, with the ability to drive achievement of objectives.
  • Expert understanding of critical-to-quality (CTQ) design elements, cascading CTQs to design inputs/outputs, and establishing process controls/limits.
  • Experience with the development-through-commercialization process of medical devices.

Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.
For California (CA), the base pay range for this position is $121,000 to $171,000 (highly experienced).
The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.
Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.

What Edwards Lifesciences employees say

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About Edwards Lifesciences

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in patient-focused medical innovations for structural heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring. Driven by a passion to help patients, the company collaborates with the world's leading clinicians and researchers to address unmet healthcare needs, working to improve patient outcomes and enhance lives. Headquartered in Irvine, California, Edwards Lifesciences has extensive operations in North America, Europe, Japan, Latin America and Asia and currently employs over 15,000 individuals worldwide. For us, helping patients is not a slogan - it's our life's work. From developing devices that replace or repair a diseased heart valve to creating new technologies that monitor vital signs in the critical care setting, we focus on helping patients regain and improve the quality of their life.

Industry

Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Irvine, CA, US

Year founded

1958

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