Sr. Design Engineering Manager

American Plastics, LLC; Jefferson City (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

401k

Job summary

American Plastics, LLC in Jefferson City, MO is seeking a Sr. Design Engineer focused on plastics to lead a design team and develop innovative plastic components and products.

You will ensure functionality, manufacturability, and cost-effectiveness while collaborating with cross‑functional teams and utilizing CAD tools such as SolidWorks and CATIA. The role requires hands-on injection molding experience, strong leadership, and a track record in design for manufacturability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or plastics engineering is required.
• 7+ years of experience in product design of plastic injection molded products.
• SolidWorks knowledge is required.
• Hands-on injection molding experience is a plus.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Effective communication and collaboration in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Conceptualize, design, and develop plastic components and products.
• CAD modeling and creating detailed 3D models and drawings.
• Oversee prototyping, material selection, and validation of designs.
• Optimize designs for manufacturability and cost reduction.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure production readiness (injection molding, extrusion, thermoforming).
• Establish and maintain design documentation, specifications, and change records.
• Ensure quality standards in collaboration with QA teams.
• Lead and develop the design team and coordinate with cross-functional groups.
• Stay updated on industry trends and integrate innovations into product development.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Team management

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical or plastics Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Job description

Description

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 NEW Innovation Center, in Jefferson City, MO. This position will lead a team of design engineers and 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


• Excellent at leading and developing a team


• 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.