Sr. Design Engineer

American Plastics; Mooresville (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Full benefits package (medical/dental)

Job summary

American Plastics, LLC in Mooresville, NC is seeking a Sr. Design Engineer specializing in plastics to join our Innovation Center.

You will design and develop plastic components and products, ensure functionality, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness, and collaborate with cross-functional teams using CAD tools. The role emphasizes prototyping, material selection, design optimization for injection molding, and documenting designs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or plastics engineering.
• 7+ years experience with product design of plastic injection molded products.
• SolidWorks knowledge.
• Experience with prototyping techniques and rapid iteration processes.
• Hands-on injection molding experience is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills with cross-functional teams.
• Familiarity with design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Product Design: Conceptualize, design, and develop plastic components and products according to project requirements, considering functionality, aesthetics, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness.
• CAD Modeling: Use CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA) to create detailed 3D models and 2D drawings of parts and assemblies.
• Prototyping: Oversee the prototyping process, select materials, collaborate with technicians, and validate designs.
• Material Selection: Evaluate and select plastics based on performance, environment, and cost.
• Design Optimization: Improve designs for efficiency, performance, and cost reduction via analysis and testing.
• Manufacturability: Work with manufacturing to optimize for production processes (injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming).
• Quality Assurance: Collaborate with QA to establish and implement design quality standards.
• Documentation: Maintain design documentation, drawings, specifications, and change records.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with product management, manufacturing, QA, and procurement to meet goals.
• Research and Innovation: Stay updated on trends and technologies and apply innovative solutions.

Skills

Product design

SolidWorks

CATIA

DFM design principles

DFA design principles

Prototyping techniques

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or plastics engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job description

Company: American Plastics, LLC

Location: Mooresville, NC

Posted: Jul 1

American Plastics, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative plastic-injection molded products for the household & garage storage and commercial cleaning end-markets.

We are seeking a skilled Sr. Design Engineer specializing in plastics to join our team at our Innovation Center, in Mooresville, NC. The ideal candidate will be responsible for designing and developing plastic components and products, ensuring functionality, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness. The role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, utilizing CAD software, and staying updated on industry trends and technologies. This position will report to the Vice President of Engineering.

• Product Design: Conceptualize, design, and develop plastic components and products according to project requirements, considering factors such as functionality, aesthetics, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness.
• CAD Modeling: Utilize CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA) to create detailed 3D models and 2D drawings of plastic parts and assemblies.
• Prototyping: Oversee the prototyping process, including selecting appropriate materials, collaborating with prototype technicians, and validating designs for fit, form, and function.
• Material Selection: Evaluate and select suitable plastic materials based on performance requirements, environmental factors, and cost considerations.
• Design Optimization: Continuously improve designs for efficiency, performance, and cost reduction through analysis, simulation, and testing.
• Manufacturability: Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure designs are optimized for production processes such as injection molding, extrusion, and thermoforming.
• Quality Assurance: Work closely with quality control teams to establish and implement quality standards for plastic components and products, ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
• Documentation: Prepare and maintain comprehensive design documentation, including technical drawings, specifications, and design change records.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including product management, manufacturing, quality assurance, and procurement to achieve project goals and deadlines.
• Research and Innovation: Stay updated on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in plastic design, and incorporate innovative solutions into product development processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or plastics Engineering.
• Experience of hands‑on injection molding experience a plus.
• 7 + Years experience with Product Design of plastic injection molded products
• SolidWorks knowledge.
• Experience with prototyping techniques and rapid iteration processes.
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work in cross‑functional teams.
• Familiarity with design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) principles.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication skills.

If you are interested in joining the American Plastics team and want to work in a fast‑paced, progressive environment, we want to hear from you. We offer a competitive salary, full benefit package including medical/dental, 401k, and paid vacation.

American Plastics, LLC

American Plastics is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative plastic-injection molded products for the home and garage storage and waste receptacle end-markets.