Plastics Mechanical Engineer

360 Recruiter Accelerator; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

360 Recruiter Accelerator is seeking an experienced Injection Molding Process Engineer to own plastic component molding from concept to qualification. You will develop, optimize, and validate processes and tooling, collaborating with design, tooling, and manufacturing teams to meet dimensional and quality requirements.

The role focuses on manufacturability, process capability, and regulatory compliance, driving improvements in efficiency, yield, and cost while supporting continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Plastics Engineering and 3 years in injection molding.
• Experience in injection molding process engineering in manufacturing.
• Hands-on mold design review and tooling qualification experience.
• Strong GD&T interpretation and dimensional metrology knowledge.
• Experience with formal quality systems and nonconformance management.
• Data-driven problem solving and root-cause analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document, and optimize injection molding processes for new and existing components.
• Collaborate with design teams to apply DFM and material/tolerance decisions.
• Lead mold design reviews to optimize gates, cooling, venting and tooling.
• Plan mold trials, tool qualifications, and capability studies.
• Define measurement plans and sampling schemes for critical features.
• Work with quality to ensure process controls and traceability.
• Troubleshoot on production floor to reduce scrap and downtime.
• Support cost reduction and cycle-time improvements while maintaining quality.

Skills

Injection molding

Process engineering

Mold design review

Quality systems

Dimensional metrology

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's in Plastics Engineering

Tools

CAD tools (SolidWorks/AutoCAD)

DOE software

Statistical analysis tools

Job description

Job Description

Step into a key engineering role with a company that designs and manufactures high-performance plastic components for demanding applications. This is a chance to own the injection molding process end-to‑end, from concept through tool qualification, and directly influence product quality, manufacturability, and cost. You'll join a team that values rigorous engineering, robust quality systems, and continuous improvement on the shop floor.

About the Role

You will be responsible for developing, optimizing, and validating plastic injection molding processes and tooling to meet stringent dimensional and quality requirements. Working closely with design, tooling, and manufacturing teams, you will ensure parts are engineered for manufacturability and comply with relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements. Your work will have a direct impact on production efficiency, product performance, and customer satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, document, and optimize injection molding processes for new and existing plastic components, including parameter definition and process window establishment.
• Collaborate with product design teams to apply DFM principles, providing input on part geometry, material selection, and tolerances to ensure robust manufacturability.
• Lead mold design reviews with toolmakers, assessing gate locations, cooling layouts, venting, and steel conditions to achieve dimensional stability and cycle time targets.
• Plan and execute mold trials and tool qualifications, including capability studies, dimensional validation, and process verification against specifications.
• Define and implement dimensional metrology strategies, including measurement plans, inspection methods, and sampling schemes for critical features.
• Partner with quality engineering to align molding processes with quality systems, control plans, and regulatory requirements, ensuring compliance and traceability.
• Troubleshoot molding and tooling issues on the production floor, driving root cause analysis and corrective actions to stabilize processes and reduce scrap.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time reduction, yield improvement, and cost optimization while maintaining quality standards.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• 3 years professional experience as a mechanical or plastics engineer in injection molding operations.
• Proven experience in plastic injection molding process engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on background in mold design review and tooling qualification for production molds.
• Strong understanding of dimensional metrology techniques and interpretation of engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Practical experience working within formal quality systems, including process control, documentation, and nonconformance management.
• Solid knowledge of relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements for plastics components and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct structured root cause analysis and implement data‑driven process improvements.
• Effective cross‑functional communication skills, with the ability to work closely with design, tooling, production, and quality teams.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with advanced molding technologies such as scientific molding, hot runner systems, or multi‑cavity high‑volume tools.
• Familiarity with CAD tools for reviewing part and mold designs.
• Exposure to statistical tools and methodologies, such as DOE and capability analysis, for process optimization.
• Background in automotive, medical, or other highly regulated industries.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles applied to plastics processing.