Plastics Design Engineer

Avantor; Bridgewater (MA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor in Bridgewater, NJ is seeking a Plastics Design Engineer to lead hands-on design, development, and qualification of plastic films, components, and systems—from concept to validated production—working closely with R&D, marketing, sales, and customers globally.

The role requires a Master’s or Bachelor’s in plastics engineering or polymer sciences, 3+ years (Master's) or 5+ years (Bachelor's) in plastics, knowledge of injection molding, extrusion, and CAD tools (SolidWorks).

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with 3+ years of plastics engineering experience, or Bachelor’s with 5+ years in plastics.
• Experience in injection molding, extrusion, and polymer processing is preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 20% and collaborate across teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and qualification of plastic films, components, and systems from concept to production.
• Develop innovative designs for injected molded parts and extrusion tubing for multiple applications.
• Evaluate materials and perform material qualification documentation.
• Support process improvements in plastics manufacturing and provide technical reports.
• Present findings to internal and external stakeholders; travel to customer sites as needed.

Skills

CAD & 3D modeling

Injection molding

Extrusion & film processing

Materials selection & qualification

Project collaboration

Education

Master's degree in Plastics Engineering & Technology or Polymer Sciences

Bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering & Technology or Polymer Sciences

Tools

SolidWorks

CAD Software

Job description

The Opportunity

Avantor is looking for a Plastics Design Engineer to be responsible for hands-on execution of various project activities. They play a key role in supporting the design, development, and qualification of plastic films, plastic components, and systems – including injection molded parts, extrusion of tubing and film – for biopharmaceutical and related applications from innovation project conception to completion by working closely with customers globally. This person multitasks in their dynamic position through planning and defining project activities in close partnership with R&D, marketing, sales, supply chain, quality, operations, project management and external customers. This is a full-time onsite position at our Innovation and Technology Center in Bridgewater, NJ. As a part of the customer engagement model, this person will also travel up to 20% and work at customer sites as needed to successfully implement the project.

How you will thrive and create an impact

New Product Design: Develop innovative designs for plastic components, focusing on injected molded parts and extrusion tubing for various applications.

Product Development: Lead and participate in product development projects, overseeing prototyping, testing, and optimization of plastic parts.

Material Selection & Qualification: Evaluate and select appropriate plastic materials based on application requirements, perform material qualification, and document findings.

Process Optimization: Contribute to process improvements in plastics manufacturing, including injection molding, extrusion, and plastics processing.

Documentation & Reporting: Prepare and maintain technical documentation, qualification protocols, test plans, and reports related to plastics engineering projects.

Travels to customers’ sites and/or internal Avantor sites to clearly define deliverables, conduct voice of customers and support project generation activities. Facilitates and participates in daily, weekly and monthly project check-in meetings and adjusts plan and activities based on feedback to complete project on time.

Presenting findings and project outcome and value proposition at internal or customer meetings, industry associations and conferences. Takes initiative to identify and implement innovative approaches and new methodologies by searching literature and/or participating in discussions.

Complies with all safety, environmental and quality policies and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned with or without accommodation.

What we’re looking for

Education: Master's or Bachelor's degree in Plastics Engineering & Technology, Polymer Sciences, or a closely related field.

Experience: Master’s degree with a minimum of 3 years of experience in plastics engineering, plastics manufacturing, or related roles, preferably in the food, chemical, or pharmaceutical industries. Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience in plastics engineering, plastics manufacturing, or related roles.

Knowledge of injection molding, extrusion, and various polymer processing techniques desired.

Additional Qualifications: Ability to travel up to 20%. Skilled in preparing and maintaining qualification documents, such as protocols, test plans, and technical reports. Self-motivated, attentive to detail, and able to collaborate well within a research and development team environment. Knowledgeable in injection molding methodologies and troubleshooting procedures. Demonstrated proficiency in CAD and 3D modeling/design software, including SolidWorks or comparable platforms. Well-versed in extrusion operations (including film extrusion) and comprehensive plastics processing. Experienced in material property analysis and selection of engineered plastics. Demonstrates strong attention to detail and advanced problem-solving capabilities. Possesses excellent communication, presentation and collaborative teamwork skills. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of information in written, verbal and diagram formats. Strong sense of urgency, initiative, and drive for results. Strong organization and prioritization skills.

Environmental Working Conditions & Physical Effort

The work environment is a laboratory/office setting, and the appropriate PPE will be required in designated areas.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science. The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor. We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

Pay Transparency

The expected pre-tax pay for this position is $86,000.00 - $138,000.00 Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

Privacy Policy

We will use the personal information that you have submitted to us in order to consider your application for the relevant role. Your privacy is important to us.

3rd Party Non‑Solicitation Policy

By submitting candidates without having been formally assigned on and contracted for a specific job requisition by Avantor, or by failing to comply with the Avantor recruitment process, you forfeit any fee on the submitted candidates, regardless of your usual terms and conditions. Avantor works with a preferred supplier list and will take the initiative to engage with recruitment agencies based on its needs and will not be accepting any form of solicitation.

Avantor offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellness programs, health savings and flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with company match, and an employee stock purchase program. Employees also receive 11 paid holidays, accrue 18 PTO days annually, are eligible for volunteer time off and 6 weeks of 100% paid parental leave (except in states that offer paid family leave). These benefits may not apply to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement or those subject to other eligibility rules.

Avantor & Company Overview

Avantor®, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. One of our greatest strengths comes from having a global infrastructure that is strategically located to support the needs of our customers. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 225,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world.