Position Summary
We are seeking a hands-on Injection Molding Engineer to drive improvements in safety, quality, productivity, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) within a high-volume injection molding environment. This role will lead manufacturing, automation, and continuous improvement projects while partnering closely with Production, Maintenance, Tooling, Quality, and Engineering teams.
The ideal candidate enjoys being on the plant floor, solving complex manufacturing challenges, optimizing processes, implementing automation solutions, and delivering measurable business results through data-driven decision making.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing & Process Improvement
- Lead initiatives focused on reducing scrap, downtime, and cycle times while improving OEE, quality, and throughput.
- Analyze production data and identify opportunities for process optimization and waste reduction.
- Troubleshoot manufacturing issues using structured problem-solving techniques such as 5 Why, A3, DMAIC, DOE, and root cause analysis.
- Establish robust and repeatable molding processes through scientific molding principles, SPC, and process capability analysis.
- Coordinate process improvements and ensure supporting documentation is updated and maintained.
Automation & Equipment Engineering
- Develop and implement automation solutions utilizing robots, conveyors, sensors, vision systems, automated inspection, and material-handling equipment.
- Improve existing equipment performance through mechanical, automation, and ergonomic enhancements.
- Collaborate with maintenance, tooling, controls, and external suppliers to install, troubleshoot, and commission new equipment and systems.
- Support machine guarding, safety improvements, and equipment reliability initiatives.
Project Management
- Manage manufacturing and capital projects from concept through implementation and validation.
- Define project scope, schedules, budgets, milestones, and success metrics.
- Coordinate resources, suppliers, and cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
- Track and report project savings, productivity gains, quality improvements, and operational benefits.
Equipment Validation & Production Launch
- Lead equipment installation, commissioning, FAT/SAT activities, validation, and production release.
- Develop testing protocols and acceptance criteria for safety, functionality, throughput, quality, and reliability.
- Support production trials, run-at-rate testing, and post-launch performance monitoring.
- Ensure required documentation, training, maintenance plans, and spare parts strategies are completed prior to release.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Plastics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field.
- 5+ years of manufacturing engineering, process engineering, automation, or continuous improvement experience.
- Direct experience supporting injection molding operations or similar high-volume automated manufacturing environments.
- Demonstrated success improving OEE, reducing scrap, optimizing cycle times, and increasing equipment reliability.
- Strong project management and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with injection molding machines, molds, robots, conveyors, and related auxiliary equipment.
- Ability to read mechanical drawings, schematics, and technical documentation.
- Working knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, SPC, DOE, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Strong communication, technical writing, and data analysis skills.
- Willingness to spend the majority of the day on the manufacturing floor and provide occasional off-shift support.
Preferred Qualifications
- Scientific molding certifications (RJG, AIM, Paulson, or equivalent).
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Experience with multi-cavity molds, hot runners, and engineering resins.
- Experience integrating robotic automation, vision systems, automated inspection, and machine guarding.
- Basic knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, industrial controls, and robot programming.
- Experience leading capital equipment projects, commissioning, validation, and production launches.
Why This Opportunity?
This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact in a growing manufacturing operation by leading automation, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives. The position provides strong cross-functional exposure and ownership of projects that directly influence pl