Project Engineer - Extrusion

SONOCO CANADA; Union (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Wellbeing resources

Paid time off

Insurance plans

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Sonoco seeks an experienced Plastic Process Engineer for its Union, SC plant. You will qualify extrusion tooling, develop manufacturing standards, and drive safety, quality, and productivity improvements.

Collaboration with quality, training, and production teams is essential, with hands-on support on the shop floor and willingness to travel domestically/internationally. Requires a 4-year engineering degree (or equivalent hands-on experience) and 5+ years in plastic processing, including

Qualifications

• 4-year engineering degree preferred; equivalent hands-on experience considered.
• 5+ years of demonstrable plastic process engineering experience.
• Experience with plastics manufacturing, extrusion and injection moulding.
• Knowledge of robotics, injection machines, moulds, and heat control systems.
• Ability to read 2D/3D drawings.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Observe safety procedures and work in a manufacturing environment.
• Assist in part design reviews with DFMEA and GMP.
• Inspect, sample, and modify tooling to stabilize processes.
• Assist the engineering team in transitioning new projects to manufacturing.
• Lead continuous improvement projects to improve process, quality, ROI.
• Provide hands-on support on the production floor, including troubleshooting molds, repairs, PM, and refurbishments.
• Communicate with internal/external customers professionally.
• Implement visual controls and standard work in the department.
• Collaborate with plant leadership on safety initiatives.
• Willing to work extended hours and travel domestically/internationally.

Skills

Six Sigma

Control charts

Root cause analysis

Fishbone analysis

Pareto analysis

SPC

2D/3D drawings

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

RJG training

Job description

From a small family business to a multi-billion-dollar global company, Sonoco has been changing the face of products and packaging since 1899 — all while keeping the heart of “People Build Businesses” alive. Our talented people are at the core of our growth, constantly reinventing the Sonoco wheel with brilliant solutions every year. Today we are a world leader in global packaging solutions with diversified operations in over 34 countries. We're extremely proud of our portfolio of brands, our achievements in sustainability and industrialization and the groundbreaking work accomplished by our people.

Work as a hands‑on engineer to qualify new Extrusion tools/equipment and develop manufacturing standards for NPL. Continuously improve existing processes, products, and systems in a safe and efficient manner to meet and exceed goals for safety, quality, and productivity. This position will collaborate with the quality department in certifying new and existing processes, as well as assist with training and supporting the plant floor as needed. Exceptional communication skills and strong project organization will be key to success.

What you’ll be doing:

• Work safely in a manufacturing environment following all plant safety procedures.
• Assist in part design reviews with an emphasis on DFMEA and good manufacturing processes.
• Inspect, sample, and modify new tooling to create a stable process ready for production.
• Assist the engineering team in transitioning new projects to manufacturing.
• Implement continuous improvement projects focused on process, part quality, and efficiency, ensuring a solid ROI.
• Provide hands‑on support to the production floor, including troubleshooting molds, repairs, PM, and refurbishments.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external customers in a professional manner.
• Implement visual controls and standard work in the department.
• Work with plant leadership to improve safety initiatives.
• Be willing to work extended hours as needed, including domestic and international travel.

This position is located out of our Union (Pinckney) South Carolina facility and 100% onsite.

We’d love to hear from you if:

• Education: 4‑year Engineering degree preferred; equivalent hands‑on experience considered.
• 5+ years of demonstrable plastic process engineering experience (RJG training a plus).
• Experience with plastics manufacturing, pipe and profile extrusion, polypropylene, and polyethylene.
• Hands‑on experience in plastic extrusion and injection moulding processes.
• Mechanical knowledge of process set‑up and moulding equipment, including robotics, injection machines, moulds, and heat control systems.
• Knowledge of analysis tools: Six Sigma, Control Charting, Root Cause Analysis, Fishbone Analysis, Pareto Analysis, SPC.
• Ability to read and interpret technical 2D and 3D drawings.
• Proven analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to troubleshoot practical manufacturing process issues on the shop floor with both state‑of‑the‑art and aged equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for interpreting technical procedures, business correspondence, and customer communications.
• Self‑starter, motivated to implement change and improvements with minimal supervision.
• Ability and desire to work hands‑on in a 24/5 plastics manufacturing plant.

Compensation:

The annual base salary range for this role is from $110,000 to $130,000 #LI‑RM1

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents, including FSA and HSA options.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Wellbeing tools and resources to support holistic health, including an Employee Assistance Program with a variety of services.
• Paid time off and holidays to recreate, rejuvenate and care for the health of yourself and family.
• Variety of company paid and voluntary employee‑paid insurance plans including life, personal accident, and disability insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer, and we strictly prohibit and do not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants or any other covered persons because of race, colour, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any legally protected characteristic.

Founded in 1899, Sonoco (NYSE: SON) is a global leader in value‑added, sustainable metal and fiber consumer and industrial packaging. The Company is now a multi‑billion dollar enterprise with approximately 22,500 employees working in 270 operations in 40 countries, serving some of the world’s best‑known brands. Guided by our purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life., we strive to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence to provide solutions that better serve all our stakeholders and support a more sustainable future. Sonoco was proudly named one of America’s Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek.

Sonoco Privacy Policy