Design Engineer Leader in Elkhart

Energy Jobline ZR; Elkhart (IN); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits

Onsite work schedule

Job summary

Placon is seeking a Design Engineer Leader in Elkhart, IN to provide technical leadership for the Design Department and drive the development of custom thermoformed packaging solutions.

You will lead a team of designers, collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams, and oversee projects from concept through production, ensuring quality and innovation.

Qualifications

• Requires a Mechanical Engineering degree with 5+ years in design or tooling in plastics.
• Experience leading projects and developing team members.
• Strong CAD proficiency and manufacturing process understanding.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Design Department, manage workload and external resources.
• Develop team members through coaching and development plans.
• Create complex 2D/3D CAD models and engineering specs.
• Coordinate tooling procurement and liaise with customers and internal teams.
• Drive design from concept through production and commercialization.

Skills

2D CAD

3D CAD

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Associate degree in related field

Tools

Thermoforming knowledge

Plastics tooling design

Job description

Job DescriptionJob Description

Design Engineer Leader

We're looking for an experienced and innovative Design Engineer Leader to work in our Elkhart, IN facility to provide technical leadership for our Design Department and drive the development of custom thermoformed packaging solutions. In this role, you'll lead a team of designers, collaborate directly with customers and cross-functional teams, and oversee projects from concept through production.This is an opportunity to influence product innovation, mentor engineering talent, and play a key role in delivering packaging solutions that exceed customer expectations. If you're passionate about design leadership, CAD engineering, manufacturing processes, and customer-driven problem solving, we'd love to hear from you.

CompensationCompetitive salary commensurate with experience Comprehensive benefits package

Work ScheduleOnsite: 8 AM - 5 PM | Monday - Friday

Why Placon - You'll Love It Here

Lead and develop a talented design team Drive innovative packaging solutions for a diverse customer base Work directly with customers, suppliers, and internal leadership Play a key role in product development from concept through commercialization Utilize advanced 2D and 3D CAD technologies in a manufacturing environment Join a culture focused on quality, innovation, safety, and continuous improvement Opportunity to make a visible impact on company growth and customer success

What You'll Do

• Lead and manage the Design Department, including workload prioritization, scheduling, and utilization of external design resources
• Develop team members through coaching, performance management, and individual development planning
• Establish and monitor department performance metrics to ensure customer expectations and project timelines are achieved
• Lead tooling procurement efforts and manage external tooling vendors to established specifications and performance standards
• Provide technical support for customer projects and partner with Account Managers to present design solutions
• Serve as the primary technical contact with customers when needed
• Lead concept development, ideation activities, and product design initiatives for new and existing projects
• Coordinate sample development, testing, approval processes, and product implementation
• Create complex 2D and 3D CAD models, product drawings, tooling designs, and engineering specifications
• Apply expertise in thermoforming processes, material selection, and manufacturing capabilities to optimize product designs
• Collaborate with Pricing, Process Engineering, Production, and external partners to ensure tooling and design requirements are achieved
• Support production launches, tooling optimization, and ongoing process improvements
• Approve parts and maintain product specification databases
• Review and initiate engineering change orders for customer, material, tooling, and specification changes
• Support corrective action initiatives and evaluate the operational and financial impact of design modifications
• Ensure compliance with safety requirements, ISO standards, and company procedures

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field with 5+ years of product or tooling design experience, or Associate degree with 9+ years of design experience in the plastics industry
• Experience leading projects and developing team members
• Proficiency in 2D and 3D CAD software
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
• Experience with thermoforming, plastics manufacturing, tooling design, or packaging development
• Knowledge of quality systems and controlled documentation preferred

Placon employment offers are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug test, basic physical, background check, educational verification, and reference checks (as applicable). Placon requires that employees have and maintain authorization to work in the country in which the role is based. In general, Placon does not sponsor candidates for non-immigrant visas or permanent unless based on business need. Placon is committed to equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to , color, , , , , , or expression, marital status, , , , veteran status, genetic information, or other protected characteristics. This role requires the ability to work through differing perspectives and resolve conflict in a respectful and professional manner consistent with The Placon Way.

If you're an experienced engineering professional who enjoys leading teams, developing innovative packaging solutions, and working closely with customers to bring ideas to life, we'd love to hear from you. Help shape the future of thermoformed packaging at Placon.