Design Engineer

American Plastics; Jefferson City (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package

Medical/dental insurance

401k

Paid vacation

Job summary

American Plastics in Jefferson City, Missouri is seeking a Design Engineer specializing in plastics to join our Innovation Center. You will design plastic components, develop products, ensure manufacturability, and optimize cost, working with cross-functional teams and using CAD tools like SolidWorks or CATIA.

The role reports to the Vice President of Engineering and focuses on material selection, prototyping, validation, and documentation to support production readiness and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or plastics engineering required.
• 3+ years in product design of plastic injection molded products for consumer packaged goods.
• Hands-on injection molding experience is a plus.
• SolidWorks knowledge required.
• Experience with prototyping techniques and rapid iteration processes.
• Excellent problem-solving and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Product Design: conceptualize, design, and develop plastic components and products for functionality, 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 and function.
• Material Selection: evaluate plastics based on performance, environment, and cost.
• Design Optimization: improve designs for efficiency, performance, and cost reduction.
• Manufacturability: collaborate with manufacturing to optimize injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming.
• Quality Assurance: align with QC to ensure standards and regulatory compliance.
• Documentation: maintain technical drawings, specs, and change records.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: work with product management, manufacturing, QA, and procurement.
• Research and Innovation: stay current with industry trends and apply new solutions.

Skills

CAD Modeling

SolidWorks

Prototyping

Material Selection

Design Optimization

Manufacturability

Quality Assurance

Documentation

Cross-functional Collaboration

Research and Innovation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or plastics Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

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 Jefferson City, Missouri 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.
• Experience of hands-on injection molding experience a plus.
• 3 + Years experience with Product Design of plastic injection molded products for consumer packaged goods
• 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.