Design Engineering Manager

Actalent; Jefferson City (MO); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical plans

Dental/vision coverage

401(k) match

PTO and holidays

Life and disability insurance

Bonus/incentive eligibility

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Design Engineering Manager to lead a team focused on plastic injection molded products at a new Innovation Center in Jefferson City, MO. You will guide design from concept through prototyping to production support, using SolidWorks and close collaboration with manufacturing engineering and quality assurance.

The role emphasizes DFx (DFM/DFA), hands-on injection molding support, and cross-functional leadership within a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Plastics Engineering.
• At least 7 years of experience in product design of plastic injection molded products.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team of design engineers.
• Strong proficiency with SolidWorks for 3D modeling and 2D drafting.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of design engineers.
• Conceptualize, design, and develop plastic components and products.
• Use SolidWorks to create detailed 3D CAD models and 2D drawings.
• Oversee prototyping, select materials, and validate designs.
• Apply DFM and DFA to ensure efficient production.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align designs with production capabilities.
• Support injection molding activities and resolve design-related issues.
• Drive rapid iteration and design validation.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

DFM

DFA

Prototype debugging

Materials knowledge

Project management

Quality awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Plastics Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

3D CAD modeling

2D drafting

Injection molding

Job description

Job Title: Design Engineering Manager

Job Description

This role leads a team of design engineers focused on the design and development of plastic components and products at a new Innovation Center in Jefferson City, MO. The Design Engineering Manager ensures that products are functional, manufacturable, and cost-effective while overseeing the full product design lifecycle from concept through prototyping and production support. The position collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, leverages CAD tools such as SolidWorks, and stays current with industry trends and technologies to drive innovation in plastic injection molded products.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of design engineers, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and support for professional growth.
• Conceptualize, design, and develop plastic components and products that meet project requirements for functionality, aesthetics, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Use SolidWorks to create detailed 3D CAD models and 2D drawings of plastic parts and assemblies, ensuring accuracy and adherence to engineering standards.
• Oversee the prototyping process by selecting appropriate materials, coordinating with prototype technicians, and validating designs for fit, form, and function.
• Evaluate and select suitable plastic materials based on performance requirements, environmental conditions, and cost considerations.
• Apply design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles to ensure efficient, high-quality production of plastic injection molded products.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, and other stakeholders, to align designs with production capabilities and business objectives.
• Support and guide hands‑on injection molding activities as needed, working closely with manufacturing teams to resolve design‑related production issues.
• Drive rapid iteration and improvement through the use of prototyping techniques, testing, and design validation activities.
• Ensure designs meet quality standards and customer expectations by incorporating feedback, performing reviews, and implementing corrective actions where necessary.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously by prioritizing tasks, setting timelines, and ensuring timely completion of design deliverables.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with internal teams and leadership, including reporting progress and issues to the Vice President of Engineering.
• Stay current with industry trends, materials, and technologies related to plastic injection molding and product design, and incorporate relevant advancements into design practices.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or Plastics Engineering.
• At least 7 years of experience in product design of plastic injection molded products.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team of design engineers.
• Strong proficiency with SolidWorks for 3D modeling and 2D drafting.
• Experience with prototyping techniques and rapid iteration processes.
• Hands‑on experience with injection molding processes (experience is a plus but strongly preferred).
• Strong problem‑solving skills and high attention to detail in design and documentation.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for technical and cross‑functional interactions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in environments focused on plastic injection molded products for household, garage storage, or commercial applications.
• Background in manufacturing engineering or close collaboration with manufacturing teams.
• Experience partnering with quality assurance teams to ensure robust product performance.
• Exposure to innovation‑focused environments and new product development centers.
• Interest in staying current with emerging materials, processes, and technologies in plastics and injection molding.

Work Environment

This role operates on a hybrid schedule, with work‑from‑home days on Monday and Friday and on‑site work at the Innovation Center in Jefferson City from Tuesday through Thursday. The position is based in a brand‑new, innovation‑focused facility dedicated to the design and development of plastic injection molded products. The Design Engineering Manager works closely with the Vice President of Engineering and collaborates with cross‑functional teams such as manufacturing engineering and quality assurance. The environment emphasizes collaboration, technical excellence, and continuous improvement, with regular use of CAD tools like SolidWorks, prototyping equipment, and injection molding‑related technologies.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Jefferson City, MO.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $135000.00 - $145000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

• Medical plans
• Dental/vision coverage
• 401(k) match
• PTO and holidays
• Life and disability insurance
• Bonus/incentive eligibility
• Employee assistance programs

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Jefferson City,MO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.