Sr. Plastic Extrusion Technician (3rd shift)

IPS Corporation; Fontana (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

IPS Corporation in Fontana, CA is seeking a Sr. Plastic Extrusion Technician to operate, monitor, and maintain extrusion lines, producing high-quality profiles, tubing, and sheet while ensuring safety and compliance.

You will tune melt temperatures, screw speeds, and haul-off, perform in-process QC, troubleshoot defects, conduct preventive maintenance, and participate in continuous improvement initiatives; willingness to work the 12:00 AM shift and overtime is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical training or associate degree preferred.
• 2-4+ years of hands-on experience operating plastic extrusion equipment (profile, pipe, tubing, sheet, or film).
• Knowledge of extrusion process principles, temperature control, and material behavior of common resins (PVC, PE, PP, ABS).
• Ability to read and interpret process sheets, work instructions, and basic technical drawings.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort using hand tools, measurement instruments, and basic troubleshooting techniques.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently or as part of a production team.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, overtime, and weekends as production demands require.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and basic ERP/MRP systems.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and work instructions.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and optimize extrusion processes including melt temperature, screw speed, haul-off speed, cooling, and dimensional control.
• Troubleshoot extrusion issues and operate downstream equipment (pullers, cutters, coolers, winders).
• Perform material handling: load raw materials, blend formulations, and manage material changes or purges.
• Conduct in-process quality checks (dimensions, appearance, weight, wall thickness) using calipers, micrometers, laser gauges, or similar tools.
• Troubleshoot common extrusion issues and take corrective actions or escalate as needed.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance, die and tooling changes, screen pack changes, and basic equipment cleaning.
• Follow all safety procedures, lockout/tagout, PPE requirements, and proper handling of hot equipment/materials.
• Accurately complete production logs, quality records, and shift reports.
• Assist with process optimization, scrap reduction, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area in accordance with 5S or similar standards.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Reading technical drawings

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical training or associate degree in plastics/manufacturing

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Laser gauges

ERP/MRP systems

Hand tools

Job description

Location: Fontana, CA

Job Id:2413

# of Openings:1

Job Title: Sr. Plastic Extrusion Technician

Location: Fontana, CA

Shift: 12:00 AM – 8:00 AM (4 days/week)

About the Company:

IPS Corporation is a global, market-leading provider of Water and Flow Management Solutions and Specialty Adhesives Solutions for applications where failure is not an option. Founded in 1954 in Los Angeles, CA, IPS began by producing clear cements for laminating acrylic sheet for aircraft canopies. We were first to produce reliable cement for use with PVC, CPVC, and ABS pipe and fittings, and first to introduce plastic recessed washing machine and ice maker outlet boxes. Since then, we have expanded our offering to more than 10,000+ products and solutions across multiple fast-growth industries such as residential and commercial construction, irrigation, pool & spa, marine or industrial manufacturing.

Today our industry leading products are proudly manufactured at facilities throughout the world and available through a nationwide network of customer-focused distributors. We offer premium brands, world-class customer service, seamless processes, and a global supply chain. IPS, through its three operating companies, operates 13 manufacturing plants in the US, Europe and China supporting sales to over 85 countries.

IPS Corporation is a portfolio company that is part of Centerbridge Partners. Centerbridge Partners, L.P. is a private investment management firm employing a flexible approach across investment disciplines — private equity, private credit and real estate — in an effort to develop the most attractive opportunities for its investors. The Firm was founded in 2005 and has approximately $36 billion in capital under management with offices in New York and London. Centerbridge is dedicated to partnering with world-class management teams across targeted industry sectors and geographies. For more information, please visit www.centerbridge.com.

About the Role:

The Sr. Plastic Extrusion Technician operates, monitors, and maintains plastic extrusion equipment to produce high-quality plastic profiles, tubing, pipe, sheet, or other extruded products. This hands-on role ensures consistent product quality, efficient production, and adherence to safety and process standards in a manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor and optimize extrusion processes, including melt temperature, screw speed, haul-off speed, cooling, and dimensional control.
• Troubleshoot common extrusion issues such as dimensional variations, surface defects, melt fracture, surging, and die swell. Set up, start up, operate, and shut down single-screw or twin-screw extruders and related downstream equipment (pullers, cutters, coolers, winders, etc.).
• Perform material handling: load raw materials (pellets, regrind, additives), blend formulations as required, and manage material changes or purges.
• Conduct in-process quality checks (dimensions, appearance, weight, wall thickness, ovality) using calipers, micrometers, laser gauges, or other measurement tools.
• Troubleshoot common extrusion issues (surging, die lines, contamination, dimensional variation, melt fracture) and take corrective action or take corrective action or elevate as needed.
• Perform routine preventive maintenance, die and tooling changes, screen pack changes, and basic equipment cleaning.
• Follow all safety procedures, including lockout/tagout, PPE requirements, and proper handling of hot equipment and materials.
• Accurately complete production logs, quality records, and shift reports.
• Assist with process optimization, scrap reduction, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area in accordance with 5S or similar standards.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical training or associate degree in plastics, manufacturing, or related field preferred.
• 2-4+ years of hands-on experience operating plastic extrusion equipment (profile, pipe, tubing, sheet, or film preferred).
• Knowledge of extrusion process principles, temperature control, and material behavior of common resins (PVC, PE, PP, ABS, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret process sheets, work instructions, and basic technical drawings.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort using hand tools, measurement instruments, and basic troubleshooting techniques.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently or as part of a production team.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts, overtime, and weekends as production demands require.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and basic ERP/MRP systems.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and work instructions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with specific extrusion processes relevant to the company’s products (e.g., pipe, profile, medical tubing, or co-extrusion).
• Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC), quality systems, or ISO standards.
• Basic understanding of plastics material science or prior experience with material formulation/blending.
• Forklift or powered industrial truck certification.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Manufacturing floor environment with exposure to heat, noise, and moving equipment.
• Requires standing, walking, bending, and occasional lifting.
• Strict adherence to safety protocols is mandatory.
• Willingness to work flexible shifts, including overtime, nights, and weekends when required.