Principal Process Technician

Nordson Industrial Coating Systems; Saint Petersburg (FL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Nordson MEDICAL in the United States seeks an experienced injection molding engineer to join our team. You will contribute in a dynamic, collaborative environment, focusing on process optimization and sustaining manufacturing excellence across 60+ molding machines.

The role requires deep knowledge of plastics, FDA-GMP, ISO standards, and strong problem solving. You will troubleshoot defects, coordinate tooling upgrades, and support continual improvements within the molding and tool rooms.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years’ experience in Plastic Injection Molding (or 10 years with Engineering degree).
• Familiar with medical manufacturing requirements (FDA-GMP, ISO9001, ISO13485).
• Must read and understand mechanical drawings (ANSI Y14.5, ISO 594, GD&T).
• Strong analytical and communication skills; ability to report issues clearly.
• Proficient with SPC tools and DOE concepts.

Responsibilities

• Set up injection molding processes and optimize performance across 60+ machines.
• Troubleshoot defects such as flash, splay, burns, and shorts.
• Mold changes, tooling maintenance and start-ups.
• Lead cost reduction and continuous improvement projects.
• Coordinate quality and tooling upgrade actions with teams.
• Maintain project lists and report progress with milestones.
• Support production in the mold hall as required.

Skills

Reading / interpreting drawings

Troubleshooting problems

SPC / DOE knowledge

Written and verbal communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Associate degree in Engineering

Tools

IFS ERP

CMM / measurement tools

MS Word/Project/Excel/PowerPoint

Job description

Nordson Medical, a global leader in Interventional Solutions, Fluid Components, and Surgical Solutions, is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we are looking for candidates who share that same commitment.

Summary of the role

As a member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment, where your ideas and contributions will be valued and respected.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Injection Molding Setup & Process optimization. Support existing products with sustaining process engineering for a 60+ injection/LSR molding machines, including trouble shooting material, tooling, process, and equipment issues. Troubleshooting Defects (flash, splay, burns, shorts, etc.). Mold Changes, Tooling Maintenance & Start‑ups. Help execute cost reduction and continue improvement projects. Knowledge of Auxiliary Equipment Diagnostics. Coordinate needed quality and productivity improvements with tooling upgrade projects. Utilize good program management skills to ensure milestones are met. Work with Molding department to develop and manage tooling modifications to positively impact machine utilization, efficiency, and quality. Thermoplastics/LSR Materials Knowledge. Scientific Molding (RJG/eDART, DOE, SIM Studies) Assist Tool Room and Tool Room Engineering personnel on troubleshooting and continuous improvements projects in injection molding. Maintain an ongoing, up to date project list and be prepared to report - detailing issues, corrective actions, cost, and completion dates. Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. Continue to support needs of production with assignments in the mold hall as required.

Non-Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Performs other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor (i.e. written and/or verbal).

Education and Experience Requirements

Minimum of 15 years’ experience in Plastic Injection Molding and/or 10 years with Associate degree in Engineering. Familiar with medical manufacturing requirements (i.e. FDA-GMP, ISO9001, ISO13485) is preferred.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

Must be able to read and understand mechanical drawings (i.e. ANSI Y14.5, ISO 594, and Geometric Tolerancing). Must have a general understanding of system troubleshooting for mechanical and electrical problems. Must be able to successfully use inspection devices (i.e. microscopes, calipers, gauge pins, CMM, optical, Smart Scope, etc.). Must understand and be able to implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) tools. Strong written and oral communication skills. Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals. Ability to respond to common inquiries and complaints from customers and regulatory agencies. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. Good analytical skills. Ability to apply principles of logical scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs etc.) in its most difficult phases. Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills:

Basic operating knowledge of PCs, and supporting software (i.e. Microsoft Word, Microsoft Project, Excel, Power Point, etc.). Fundamental understanding of ERP systems is required (i.e. training will be provided for IFS-Company ERP System).

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception. Must be able to work in a manufacturing environment where the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, high, precarious places, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, vibration and where plastic injected parts are produced and packaged (i.e. plastic dust present, noise up to 80 db, etc.). To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

About Nordson Medical

At Nordson MEDICAL, you don't have to be a doctor to help save lives. We are the global expert in the design, development, and manufacturing of complex medical devices and component technologies. By joining our team today, you will help us bring innovative ideas to life. Nordson MEDICAL is a global team that works to create components for life-saving medical devices. We offer a supportive culture in a growing and dynamic work environment. Whether you're just beginning your career or you're a seasoned professional, there's a place for you to belong at Nordson MEDICAL. We offer hourly and salary positions in production, maintenance, customer service, quality, engineering, and more. We actively invest in our teams to help you build your skillsets and advance your career. At Nordson, we believe that anything is possible. We empower our global team of employees to engineer, manufacture, and market innovative products and systems that are essential to everyday life. These differentiated products and systems are used for precision dispensing and processing and serve a variety of end markets, including packaging, transportation, medical, and electronics. Founded in 1954, we are guided by our values of integrity, respect for people, customer passion, energy, and excellence. We care for our employees and provide them with opportunities to advance their careers and make an impact, inside and outside of work. Nordson is headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, and has direct operations in more than 35 countries to support our products and systems with application expertise and a direct global sales and service organization.