Technical Specialist – Injection Molded and Plastic Fluid Components

Martinrea International; Auburn Hills (MI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Martinrea International Inc. is a global automotive supplier focused on lightweight structures and propulsion systems. We seek a technical authority for injection molded components and multi-material plastic assemblies used in automotive fluid systems.

You will guide design, material validation, and advanced development, mentoring engineers and coordinating with OEM customers and tooling partners. You will evaluate thermoplastics and sealing materials, interpret mold flow results, and lead

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical/Plastics/Polymer or related engineering discipline with 7–10 years experience; MS preferred.
• Design experience with injection molded components and multi-material plastic assemblies.
• CAD experience: CATIA/NX; familiarity with Spinfire Insight or similar CAD viewers.
• GD&T per ASME Y14.5; tolerance stack-up analysis for multi-material assemblies.
• Experience with engineering thermoplastics and sealing materials (EPDM, FKM, TPV).

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical authority for injection molded components and multi-material assemblies across fluid systems.
• Design and develop complex components for capless fuel systems and fluid connectors.
• Interpret mold fill simulations and guide tooling and molding partners.
• Mentor engineers, designers, co-ops and interns; provide direction to project teams.
• Develop design standards and participate in IP protection activities.

Skills

GD&T ASME Y14.5

Injection molded design

Seal materials knowledge

Materials selection

Mold flow interpretation

Technical mentoring

Education

BS in Mechanical/Polymers or related

MS preferred

Tools

Spinfire Insight

CATIA

NX

Job description

Martinrea International Inc. is a diversified and global automotive supplier,a diversified and global automotive supplier engaged in developing and manufacturing highly engineered, value-added Lightweight Structures and Propulsion Systems. We employ approximately 16,000 skilled and currently operate in 57 locations in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Slovakia, Spain, China, South Africa, and Japan. Martinrea's vision is making lives better by being the best supplier we can be in the products we make and the services we provide.

Our Mission is to make people's lives better by:

• Delivering outstanding quality products and services to our customers.
• Providing meaningful opportunity, job satisfaction, and job security for our people.
• Providing superior long-term investment returns to our stakeholders.
• Being positive contributors to our communities.

Martinrea's success is globally shown through its core sustainable culture. Focused on entrepreneurship, lean manufacturing principles, and the Golden Rule philosophy, Martinrea believes in dignity and respect for its people, communities, customers, and investors. Our strength is in our people, embracing a diverse culture, giving employees opportunities to help grow our footprint and expand product offerings and areas of expertise with discipline, dedication and determination

Position Summary:

Technical authority for injection molded components and multi-material plastic assemblies used in automotive fluid systems, including capless fuel filler systems and quick connectors for fuel, coolant and other fluid-carrying applications. This is a specialist role focused on design depth and advanced development rather than program ownership: the incumbent provides expert design, materials and validation direction across programs, and develops new plastic and sealing technologies ahead of customer application.

Responsibilities:

Technical Specialization

• Acts as the technical authority in the area of specialization for injection molded components and multi-material plastic assemblies (elastomeric seals, metal clips, springs and retention features) across the fluid systems product portfolio.
• Designs and develops complex injection molded components and assemblies for capless fuel systems, quick connectors, fuel, coolant and other automotive fluid applications.
• Performs geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) stack-up analysis per ASME Y14.5 for plastic components and multi-material assemblies, including sealing interfaces, retention features and the effects of thermal and dimensional variation.
• Evaluates and selects engineering thermoplastics and elastomers — including polyamides (nylon), PPA and other high-performance resins, and EPDM, FKM and TPV sealing materials — based on mechanical requirements, sealing performance, chemical resistance, permeation and environmental exposure, with emphasis on fuel and fluid-carrying applications.
• Interprets mold fill simulation results to predict weld lines, air traps, shrink and warp, and to determine gate locations; provides direction to tooling and molding partners.
• Works as part of the design and development team by providing design and analysis direction, and by reviewing the designs of others.
• Provides technical mentoring for engineers, designers, co-ops and interns.
• Expected to use a broader knowledge base to take on more complicated assignments.

Advanced Development

• Leads advanced development of new plastic components, sealing systems and joining or retention concepts ahead of customer program application.
• Evaluates alternate materials and emerging supplier technologies; defines and executes feasibility studies and bench evaluations and supports material and technology approvals with OEM customers.
• Develops and maintains design standards, design guidelines and lessons learned for injection molded and plastic fluid components.
• Identifies and supports protection of intellectual property resulting from development activity, including invention disclosures.

Program, Validation and Customer Support

• Acts as technical consultant to program teams, identifying design solutions that meet the required engineering, manufacturing and financial targets within program timing.
• Creates DVP&R based on OEM and SAE specifications, supports component and system validation testing, and reports validation results to the customer to obtain technical approvals.
• Meets with the customer one-on-one within the scope of the PD&D process.
• Participates with the Manufacturing Division in multidisciplinary reviews of product and process design to ensure that DFM&A requirements are met.
• Identifies and communicates design materials and specifications, and maintains up-to-date engineering records according to APQP and QMS requirements, including QMS/QOS as it pertains to the job.
• Required to work extra hours and travel to meet customer needs; performs all other reasonable duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualifications:

• BS in Mechanical, Plastics, Polymer, Materials or a related engineering discipline with 7 to 10 years of related product design experience; or MS with 5 to 7 years. MS preferred.
• Design experience with injection molded components and multi-material plastic assemblies; direct experience with capless fuel filler systems or fluid quick connectors preferred.
• Working proficiency in CAD viewers like/similar to Spinfire Insight. Some experience with 3D CAD — CATIA and/or NX preferred
• Applied knowledge of GD&T per ASME Y14.5, including tolerance stack-up analysis of multi-material assemblies.
• Experience with engineering thermoplastics used in fluid systems — polyamides (nylon), PPA and other high-performance resins — including grade selection for chemical resistance, thermal performance and dimensional stability.
• Working knowledge of sealing materials and elastomers such as EPDM, FKM and TPV, including fluid compatibility and permeation considerations in fuel applications.
• Understanding of the injection molding process, tool design fundamentals and design for manufacturability and assembly; ability to interpret mold fill simulation output preferred.
• Experience creating DVP&R and interpreting OEM and SAE test specifications; familiarity with Ford, General Motors, Stellantis and/or Tesla engineering processes and release systems preferred.
• Experience using generative AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT or equivalent to improve engineering productivity preferred.
• Good verbal and written communication, organizational, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, and good computer proficiency; proficiency in languages other than English may be required.
• Able to travel domestically and internationally as required to support customers and suppliers.