Molding Engineer II, Molding & Tooling Engineering

Alcon; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Alcon is hiring a Molding Engineer II at our Houston, TX manufacturing facility. You will lead mold tooling development, analyze injection molding parameters, and optimize processes while collaborating with engineers to improve manufacturability and yield.

This role requires strong technical expertise in injection molding (thermoplastic and LSR), quality-system awareness, and experience with CAPAs, validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), and Lean/Six Sigma. Onsite, Mon-Fri, travel up to 10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +10 yrs; Assoc.+6yrs; M.S.+0 yrs)
• The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English
• 2 Years of relevant experience
• 1 Years of demonstrated leadership

Responsibilities

• Lead molding engineering and validation activities across new product introductions, remediation efforts, and sustaining manufacturing programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and project timelines.
• Serve as the technical subject matter expert for injection molding processes, thermoplastic and LSR, driving data-based analysis, process optimization, troubleshooting, and implementation of robust manufacturing controls.
• Own and drive quality system deliverables across multiple platforms, including Kneat, Teamcenter, NCI investigations, CAPAs, Change Controls, and validation documentation, ensuring compliance, timely execution, and cross-functional alignment.
• Develop, govern, and execute validation strategies and roadmaps, ensuring successful completion of IQ, OQ, PQ, TMV, and process validation activities while mitigating project risks.
• Lead complex defect investigations and root cause analysis efforts, implementing sustainable corrective and preventive actions to improve product quality, process capability, and operational performance.
• Drive process optimization initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, yield improvement, scrap reduction, OEE enhancement, and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Partner with Tooling, Product Development, Quality, Manufacturing, and external suppliers to optimize mold designs, processing windows, and product manufacturability throughout the product lifecycle.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and data-driven methodologies to deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Provide leadership for project planning and execution by developing project plans, tracking deliverables, managing risks, escalating issues appropriately, and ensuring achievement of critical milestones.
• Coach and mentor engineers, technicians, and cross-functional team members while promoting technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and organizational capability development.
• Author, review, approve, and maintain technical and quality documentation in accordance with internal procedures, regulatory requirements, and quality system expectations using Microsoft Office, Kneat, Teamcenter, and Veeva platforms.
• Lead creation, revision, and approval of controlled documents within Veeva QualityDocs, including procedures, work instructions, validation protocols, reports, and Documentation Change Controls (DCCs).
• Represent Molding Engineering during audits, inspections, management reviews, and cross-functional governance meetings, ensuring readiness and compliance with applicable regulatory standards.
• Ensure full compliance with GxP requirements through adherence to approved procedures, accurate documentation practices, data integrity expectations, training requirements, and quality system policies.
• Maintain accountability for individual performance, project execution, and organizational compliance while fostering a culture of safety, quality, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Job description

At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers. Are you ready to join us?

This role is part of Alcon's Engineering function, a team focused on improving quality, processes, products, packaging and materials across our business to help deliver brilliant outcomes.

The Molding Engineer II, Molding & Tooling, is primarily responsible for assisting in mold tooling development by analyzing injection molding parameters and optimizing processes. You will support defect troubleshooting, quality control, and process efficiency enhancements while collaborating with engineers to refine mold designs and improve manufacturability at our Manufacturing Facility in Houston, TX.

• Lead molding engineering and validation activities across new product introductions, remediation efforts, and sustaining manufacturing programs, ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and project timelines.
• Serve as the technical subject matter expert for injection molding processes, thermoplastic and LSR, driving data-based analysis, process optimization, troubleshooting, and implementation of robust manufacturing controls.
• Own and drive quality system deliverables across multiple platforms, including Kneat, Teamcenter, NCI investigations, CAPAs, Change Controls, and validation documentation, ensuring compliance, timely execution, and cross-functional alignment.
• Develop, govern, and execute validation strategies and roadmaps, ensuring successful completion of IQ, OQ, PQ, TMV, and process validation activities while mitigating project risks.
• Lead complex defect investigations and root cause analysis efforts, implementing sustainable corrective and preventive actions to improve product quality, process capability, and operational performance.
• Drive process optimization initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, yield improvement, scrap reduction, OEE enhancement, and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Partner with Tooling, Product Development, Quality, Manufacturing, and external suppliers to optimize mold designs, processing windows, and product manufacturability throughout the product lifecycle.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and data-driven methodologies to deliver measurable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
• Provide leadership for project planning and execution by developing project plans, tracking deliverables, managing risks, escalating issues appropriately, and ensuring achievement of critical milestones.
• Coach and mentor engineers, technicians, and cross-functional team members while promoting technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and organizational capability development.
• Author, review, approve, and maintain technical and quality documentation in accordance with internal procedures, regulatory requirements, and quality system expectations using Microsoft Office, Kneat, Teamcenter, and Veeva platforms.
• Lead creation, revision, and approval of controlled documents within Veeva QualityDocs, including procedures, work instructions, validation protocols, reports, and Documentation Change Controls (DCCs).
• Represent Molding Engineering during audits, inspections, management reviews, and cross-functional governance meetings, ensuring readiness and compliance with applicable regulatory standards.
• Ensure full compliance with GxP requirements through adherence to approved procedures, accurate documentation practices, data integrity expectations, training requirements, and quality system policies.
• Maintain accountability for individual performance, project execution, and organizational compliance while fostering a culture of safety, quality, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO ALCON

• Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent years of directly related experience (or high school +10 yrs; Assoc.+6yrs; M.S.+0 yrs)
• The ability to fluently read, write, understand and communicate in English
• 2 Years of relevant experience
• 1 Years of demonstrated leadership

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM CST

Location : Onsite

Travel Requirements : Up to 10%

Relocation Assistance : None

Sponsorship Available : No

HOW YOU CAN THRIVE AT ALCON

• Collaborate with teammates to share standard processes and learnings as work evolves!
• Join Alcon's mission to provide top-tier, innovative products and solutions to enhance sight & enhance lives.
• Grow your career in a highly collaborative and diverse environment.

Alcon provides robust benefi