Associate Design Engineer

American Plastics; Mooresville (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & dental benefits

401(k) plan

Paid vacation

Job summary

American Plastics, headquartered in St. Louis, designs and manufactures plastic-injection molded products for household, garage storage and commercial cleaning.

We seek a Design Engineer to join the Mooresville Innovation Center to design, validate and optimize plastic components for manufacturability and cost. You will use CAD tools (SolidWorks/CATIA), oversee prototyping, select materials, and collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure quality and on‑time delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or plastics engineering; new grads considered.
• Hands-on injection molding experience is a plus.
• Preferred experience in product design of plastic injection molded products.
• SolidWorks knowledge required.
• Experience with prototyping techniques and rapid iteration processes.
• Strong problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and collaboration in cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with DFM and DFA principles.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects.
• Strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Product Design: conceptualize, design, and develop plastic components and products.
• CAD Modeling: create 3D models and 2D drawings using CAD software.
• Prototyping: oversee prototyping and validate designs for fit, form, and function.
• Material Selection: evaluate materials based on performance and cost.
• Design Optimization: improve designs for efficiency and cost reduction.
• Manufacturability: ensure designs are optimized for injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming.
• Quality Assurance: establish and implement design quality standards with QA.
• Documentation: maintain drawings, specs, and change records.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: work with product management, manufacturing, QA, and procurement.
• Research and Innovation: stay updated on trends and technologies.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication

Project management

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Plastics Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

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 seeking a skilled Design Engineer specializing in plastics to join our team at our Innovation Center, in Mooresville, NC location. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing and developing plastic components and products, ensuring functionality, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness. The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, utilizing CAD software, and staying updated on industry trends and technologies. This position will report to the Vice President of Engineering.

• Product Design: Conceptualize, design, and develop plastic components and products according to project requirements, considering factors such as functionality, aesthetics, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness.
• CAD Modeling: Utilize CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA) to create detailed 3D models and 2D drawings of plastic parts and assemblies.
• Prototyping: Oversee the prototyping process, including selecting appropriate materials, collaborating with prototype technicians, and validating designs for fit, form, and function.
• Material Selection: Evaluate and select suitable plastic materials based on performance requirements, environmental factors, and cost considerations.
• Design Optimization: Continuously improve designs for efficiency, performance, and cost reduction through analysis, simulation, and testing.
• Manufacturability: Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are optimized for production processes such as injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming.
• Quality Assurance: Work closely with quality control teams to establish and implement quality standards for plastic components and products, ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
• Documentation: Prepare and maintain comprehensive design documentation, including technical drawings, specifications, and design change records.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including product management, manufacturing, quality assurance, and procurement to achieve project goals and deadlines.
• Research and Innovation: Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in plastic design, and incorporate innovative solutions into product development processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or plastics Engineering. Will consider new graduates.
• Experience of hands-on injection molding experience a plus.
• Preferred experience with Product Design of plastic injection molded products
• SolidWorks knowledge.
• Experience with prototyping techniques and rapid iteration processes.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work in cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills.

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.