Sr. Plastics Engineer, Tooling & Process

Lucid Motors USA, Inc.; Southfield, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity program

Discretionary cash incentive

Job summary

Lucid Motors is seeking a Sr. Plastics Engineer – Tooling and Process to advance polymer tooling from DFM to product launch. You will support design engineers, evaluate tooling feasibility, and drive cost-effective tooling solutions for automotive injection molding.

You will lead flow studies, ensure tool compliance with Lucid standards, and perform on-site tool assessments to optimize molding processes. Domestic and international travel up to 25% may be required.

Qualifications

• B.S. in polymer engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years’ experience evaluating DFM and injection molding tool designs.
• Excellent knowledge of injection tooling, including in-mold decoration/labeling, foaming, water/gas assist, overmolding, back-injection, vario-thermal processes.
• Experience with DFM process for automotive A-surface parts.
• Experience with flow simulation software (Autodesk MoldFlow).
• Proven hands-on experience with plastic injection molding process, including process optimization.
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% if needed.

Responsibilities

• Be a significant contributor to a world-class vehicle engineering team by supporting with plastics tooling expertise and owning polymer-related aspects from part design for manufacturing (DFM) phase to product launch.
• Consultation with design engineers and suppliers throughout product development process, advising on process and tooling feasibility, DFM, efficiency and cost. Role ensures capability, robustness and cost-effectiveness of tool with sign-off.
• Evaluation of flow studies and mold designs before tool approval and kick-off.
• Ensuring plastic tooling is compliant with Lucid Tool Standards.
• On-site assessment of tool quality/condition, and driving injection molding process optimization through direct/specific improvement suggestions.
• Methodical approach to documentation.
• Support of internal non-engineering teams and representation of Lucid material team in communication with suppliers (incl. on-site visits)

Skills

DFM evaluation

Injection molding tooling

Plastics tooling

Communication

Education

B.S. in polymer engineering or related field, or equivalent experience

Tools

Autodesk MoldFlow

Job description

About Lucid

At Lucid, we are creating exceptional mobility experiences through innovation to drive the world forward. Built on Lucid’s proprietary technology and software-defined vehicle architecture, our award-winning vehicles bring our “Compromise Nothing™” approach to the global automotive market. That means refusing to choose between performance and sustainability, design and engineering, ambition and integrity. In Lucid Air and Lucid Gravity, we have designed and built vehicles that have redefined their segments, combining exceptional range, performance, design, and expansive space in a single experience.

We achieve this through deep vertical integration, with design, engineering, and productionhappening in-houseacross our global offices andmanufacturingfacilities. Our teamscomefromindustriesaround the world, united by a shared commitment to excellence. By refusing to settle, youcanhelpredefinewhat’spossible andshape the future of mobility.

Lucid Motor’s Polymer Technology Team is an expert group sharing material, process and tooling insight where needed across the organization. The team drives all polymer-related aspects throughout the entire product development process and supports the organization beyond that by covering aspects of material vetting/selection/approval, engineering design optimization, design for manufacturing (DFM), process simulation, tool concept/design, process optimization, material characterization and failure analysis among other responsibilities.

The Sr. Plastics Engineer – Tooling and Process role strengthens the Tooling and Process Group by working on new developments, supporting DFM optimization, performing and analyzing process simulations, evaluating tool concepts/designs as well as through on-site support for process optimization and troubleshooting.

The Role:

• Be a significant contributor to a world-class vehicle engineering team by supporting with plastics tooling expertise and owning polymer-related aspects from part design for manufacturing (DFM) phase to product launch
• Consultation with design engineers and suppliers throughout product development process, advising on process and tooling feasibility, DFM, efficiency and cost. Role ensures capability, robustness and cost-effectiveness of tool with sign-off.
• Evaluation of flow studies and mold designs before tool approval and kick-off
• Ensuring plastic tooling is compliant with Lucid Tool Standards
• On-site assessment of tool quality/condition, and driving injection molding process optimization through direct/specific improvement suggestions
• Methodical approach to documentation
• Support of internal non-engineering teams and representation of Lucid material team in communication with suppliers (incl. on-site visits)

Qualifications:

• B.S. in polymer engineering or related field, or equivalent experience
• 5+years’ experience, evaluating DFM and injection molding tool designs
• Excellent knowledge of injection tooling, including technologies such as in-mold decoration/labeling, foaming, water/gas assist, overmolding, back-injection, vario-thermal processes
• Experience with DFM process for automotive A-surface parts
• Experience with flow simulation software (Autodesk MoldFlow)
• Proven hands-on experience with plastic injection molding process, including process optimization
• Exemplary verbal and written communication skills
• Able to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% if needed

Advantageous:

• Worked in automotive development environment, ideally through complete product development process
• Hands-on experience with creation of MoldFlow studies, first tool trials, and tool approvals
• Experience with tool cost sizing to understand tool cost impact of part design choices
• Experience with other plastic manufacturing processes and their tooling (e.g. blow molding, thermal forming, vacuum forming, compression molding, slush molding)

At Lucid, we don’t just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.

Compensation & Benefits:

Lucid offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and disability coverage; paid time off; paid holidays, paid sick leave; and a 401(k) retirement plan. Hourly/non-exempt employees accrue up to 120 hours paid time off, and salaried/exempt employee accrue up to 160 hours paid time off. Eligible employees may also participate in Lucid’s equity program and/or a discretionary annual cash incentive program. Incentive and equity awards, if applicable, are determined based on individual performance, role scope, market considerations, and overall company results, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plans.

Equal Opportunity:

At Lucid, we believe diversity strengthens everything we build. Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing an inclusive workplace for all. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable state or federal laws and regulations.

Accessibility:

Lucid Motors is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need any accommodation to participate in the application process, please contact us at TA-Operations <@> lucidmotors.com. This email address is designated solely for accommodation requests and is not monitored for job applications or resume submissions. To be considered for employment, all applications must be submitted through the Lucid Motors Careers website.

Candidate Data Privacy:

Bysubmitting your application, you understand and agree that your personal data will be processed in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Notice.

To all recruitment agencies:

Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to Lucid Motors. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.