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Thermoforming Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Key Personnel

Thermoforming Machine 2nd shift

Zeeland, MI

$15.75 - $18.75/hr

Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, formed to a specific shape in a mold, and trimmed to create a usable product. We have worked ...

Novolex

Thermoforming - Process Technician

Bridgeview, IL · On-site

$38.81 - $49.89/hr

Thermoforming Process Technician, HIRING IMMEDIATELY, Bridgeview IL Compensation: Pay Range is $38.81 to $49.89 - paid weekly (additional $1 per hour as shift differential) Process Technician Night ...

Novolex

Thermoforming - Process Technician

Bridgeview, IL · On-site

$38.81 - $49.89/hr

Thermoforming Process Technician, HIRING IMMEDIATELY, Bridgeview IL Compensation: Pay Range is $38.81 to $49.89 - paid weekly (additional $1 per hour as shift differential) Process Technician Night ...

Novolex

Thermoforming - Process Technician

Bridgeview, IL · On-site

$38.81 - $49.89/hr

Thermoforming Process Technician, HIRING IMMEDIATELY, Bridgeview IL Compensation: Pay Range is $38.81 to $49.89 - paid weekly (additional $1 per hour as shift differential) Process Technician Night ...

Novolex

Thermoforming - Process Technician

Bridgeview, IL · On-site

$38.81 - $49.89/hr

Thermoforming Process Technician, HIRING IMMEDIATELY, Bridgeview IL Compensation: Pay Range is $38.81 to $49.89 - paid weekly (additional $1 per hour as shift differential) Process Technician Night ...

Huhtamäki

Thermoforming Operator

Coleman, MI · On-site

Job Summary Operates thermoforming machines, trim presses, and immediate support equipment in a safe and efficient manner to produce a maximum quantity of high quality product with minimal scrap and ...

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How much do thermoforming jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for thermoforming in the United States is $18.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Thermoforming vs Vacuum Forming?

AspectThermoformingVacuum Forming
ProcessHeating plastic sheets and forming them over a mold using pressure or mechanical meansHeating plastic sheets and forming them primarily using vacuum pressure
ComplexityCan produce complex shapes with additional toolingTypically simpler, suited for basic shapes
EquipmentIncludes molds, presses, and heating elementsPrimarily vacuum forming machines and molds
ApplicationsPackaging, automotive parts, consumer productsPackaging, trays, blisters

Thermoforming and vacuum forming are closely related manufacturing processes. While both involve heating plastic sheets and shaping them over molds, thermoforming often uses additional pressure or mechanical means to achieve complex shapes, whereas vacuum forming relies mainly on vacuum pressure for forming. Understanding these differences helps in selecting the right process for specific product requirements.

What Are Thermoforming Jobs?

Thermoforming involves using machines to heat plastic and form it into specific shapes. Thermoforming jobs are found in the manufacturing industry. As a thermoforming process engineer, you work to improve plastic production and materials, design machinery, and test various processes. As a thermoforming technician or machine operator, your duties involve setting up a machine to create molded plastic pieces. You operate the equipment during a production run and ensure that the resulting pieces meet quality standards. You also make adjustments during production if necessary. Other responsibilities include performing essential maintenance on the thermoforming machinery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Thermoforming Machine Operator, and why are they important?

Thriving as a Thermoforming Machine Operator requires a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, mechanical aptitude, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with thermoforming machinery, quality inspection tools, and safety protocols is essential, and some employers may require certification in machine operation or safety standards. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication make candidates stand out in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient production and maintaining high product quality in a manufacturing environment.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in thermoforming, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in thermoforming often encounter challenges such as material inconsistencies, machine downtime, and maintaining product quality. Ensuring proper material selection and thorough pre-production testing can help mitigate inconsistencies. Regular maintenance and calibration of thermoforming equipment are essential to reduce downtime and maintain efficiency. Additionally, close collaboration with quality control and engineering teams helps identify and resolve production issues quickly, ensuring high-quality output and smooth workflow.

What is thermoforming?

Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, shaped into a specific form using a mold, and trimmed to create a finished part or product. This method is widely used to produce items such as packaging, trays, disposable cups, lids, and automotive parts. Thermoforming is valued for its ability to create lightweight and cost-effective products with a variety of shapes and sizes. The process can be divided into two main types: vacuum forming and pressure forming, depending on how the plastic is shaped over the mold.
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Thermoforming jobs near you
Infographic showing various Thermoforming job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 1% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,750 per year, or $18.1 per hour.
Director, Thermoforming Technology

Director, Thermoforming Technology

Amcor plc

Neenah, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Accelerate the possible by joining a winning Amcor team that's transforming the packaging industry and improving lives around the world.
At Amcor, we unpack possibility through our innovative and responsible packaging to provide solutions that benefit our customers, our people and our planet. More than 10,000 consumers worldwide encounter our products every second and rely on us for safe access to food, medicine and other goods. We value their trust by making safety our guiding principle. It's our core value and integral to how we do business.
Beyond this core principle, our shared values and behaviors unite us as we work together to elevate customers, shape lives and protect the future. We champion our customers and help them succeed. We play to win - adapting quickly in an everchanging world - and make smart choices to safeguard our business, our communities and the people we serve for generations to come. And we invest in our world-class team, empowering our colleagues to unpack their potential, because we believe when our people grow, so does our business.
To learn more about playing for Team Amcor, visit www.amcor.com I LinkedIn I Glassdoor I Facebook I YouTube
Job Description
Join Amcor as a Director, Thermoforming Technology where we'll lean on you to steer the strategic innovation roadmap for thermoforming technology. This is a highly visible role reporting to the Sr. Director, R&D.
Key Responsibilities
1) Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Direction
  • Establish and communicate to executive leadership Amcor's a manufacturing vision as well as strategic innovation roadmap for thermoforming, aligning technology platforms with customer needs and Amcor's long-term business strategy.
  • Partner with regional R&D and business leaders to shape the multi-year R&D agenda and manufacturing direction in order to prioritize programs that drive value, differentiation, and profitable growth.
  • Act as a key technical voice for thermoforming across the company, contributing conceptual judgment where little precedent exists.

2) Technical Excellence & Innovation
  • Lead and oversee complex thermoforming research, product development, and advanced process programs using DOE, DFSS, and structured stage-gated methodologies.
  • Discover, evaluate, and initiate research into next-generation or adjacent technologies that create new value for Amcor.
  • Provide expert problem-solving on-site manufacturing support for technical challenges that require deep knowledge of materials, tooling, and process science.
  • Drive CTQ requirements into process and product designs to ensure robust, scalable, customer-ready solutions.

3) Intellectual Property & Competitive Insight
  • Interpret competitive technologies, designs, and patents; recommend strategic direction to maintain Amcor's competitive advantage.
  • Create original IP in alignment with Amcor's strategic objectives while safeguarding proprietary technologies.
  • Ensure technical documentation builds long-term knowledge capital across the global R&D community.

4) Cross-Functional & Operational Integration
  • Knowledge and capability in evaluating and recommending optimal capital investment strategy for product launches. Ability to indirectly influencing stakeholders such as Corporate Engineering, Operations, and Quality to deploy said technical solutions into manufacturing-including tooling trials, machine installations, and vendor partnerships.
  • Lead major technical initiatives that are successfully commercialized at customers as well as improve manufacturing capability, process robustness, and operational performance.
  • Support capital project teams and global networks to scale innovations effectively.
  • Connect with Global thermoforming resources and bring best practices to bear for all parties.

5) Customer & Market Engagement
  • Represent Amcor's technical capabilities with customers, industry experts, and partners; help shape customer requirements and enable successful commercial outcomes.
  • Attend and occasionally lead customer or manufacturing trials (typically up to but occasionally exceeding 50% travel, varies by program).
  • Participate in industry committees, conferences, and technical forums to elevate Amcor's position in the thermoforming landscape.

6) People Leadership & Capability Development
  • Mentor, coach, and develop engineers and scientists to elevate functional capability and technical depth across Amcor's global R&D teams.
  • Model and teach product development best practices, advanced engineering methods, and innovation behaviors.
  • Actively contribute to and potentially lead Amcor's Global R&D Senior Scientist Council or related expert forums.
  • Promote Amcor's strong safety culture in all activities and ensure compliance with internal standards.

Required:
  • Bachelor's degree required (Chemical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Materials Science, Polymer Science/Physics or related).
  • 12+ years of progressive, hands-on thermoforming experience in R&D, product development, tooling, process engineering, or manufacturing engineering.
  • Demonstrated leadership of large, visible technical programs with sustained business impact.
  • Recognized expertise in the industry or academic community (e.g., publications, IP creation, conference participation).
  • Experience building customer relationships and translating needs into technical solutions.
  • Proven history of technical thought leadership and influence across global teams.

Preferred:
  • Advanced degree (Master's or PhD).

#LI-remote
Our Expectations
We expect our people to be guided by The Amcor Way and demonstrate our Values every day to enable the business to win. We are winning when:
  • Our people are engaged and developing as part of a high-performing Amcor team
  • Our customers grow and prosper from Amcor's quality, service, and innovation
  • Our investors benefit from Amcor's consistent growth and superior returns
  • The environment is better off because of Amcor's leadership and products

Equal Opportunity Employer/Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity
Amcor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please click on the "Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal" Poster. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please call 224-313-7000 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.
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Benefits
When you join Amcor, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits and compensation package that includes:
  • Medical, dental and vision plans
  • Flexible time off, starting at 80 hours paid time per year for full-time salaried employees
  • Company-paid holidays starting at 8 days per year and may vary by location
  • Wellbeing program & Employee Assistance Program
  • Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
  • Life insurance, AD&D, short-term & long-term disability, and voluntary benefits
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Retirement Savings Plan with company match
  • Tuition Reimbursement (dependent upon approval)
  • Discretionary annual bonus program (initial eligibility dependent upon hire date)

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