Associate Design Engineer

American Plastics, LLC; Mooresville (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical + dental benefits

401k

Paid vacation

Job summary

American Plastics, LLC seeks a Design Engineer specializing in plastics for our Mooresville, NC Innovation Center. You will design and develop plastic components and products, ensuring functionality, manufacturability, and cost‑effectiveness.

You will use CAD software (SolidWorks/CATIA), collaborate with cross‑functional teams, oversee prototyping and material selection, and contribute to design optimization for production processes such as injection molding.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or plastics Engineering (will consider new graduates).
• Hands‑on injection molding experience is a plus.
• Preferred experience in 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 in cross‑functional teams.
• Familiarity with design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA).
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Product design: conceptualize, design, and develop plastic components and products per requirements, considering functionality, aesthetics, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness.
• CAD modeling: create detailed 3D models and 2D drawings using SolidWorks/CATIA.
• Prototyping: oversee prototyping, select materials, validate designs for fit, form, and function.
• Material selection: evaluate and select plastics based on performance, environment, and cost.
• Design optimization: improve designs for efficiency, performance, and cost reduction.
• Manufacturability: collaborate with manufacturing to optimize for injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming.
• Quality assurance: establish and implement design quality standards with QA teams.
• Documentation: maintain technical drawings, specs, and change records.
• Cross-functional collaboration: work with product management, manufacturing, QA, and procurement to meet goals and deadlines.
• Research and innovation: stay updated on trends and incorporate innovations.

Skills

CAD modeling

Cross‑functional teamwork

Materials selection

Prototyping

DFM/DFA

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or plastics engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

• 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.

We offer a competitive salary, full benefit package including medical/dental, 401k, and paid vacation.