{"schemaVersion":"jobsearcher.job.v1","id":"3fbcb1ce785081b28969163a","url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/3fbcb1ce785081b28969163a","canonicalUrl":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/3fbcb1ce785081b28969163a","title":"Plastics Processing Engineer","description":"The Plastics Processing Engineer is responsible for applying a working knowledge of injection molding, plastic materials, engineering theory, problem‑solving techniques and Lean methodologies to improve molding efficiency and equipment performance. The successful candidate will have expertise in injection molding and the ability to teach, mentor, and lead others working cross‑functionally with production, maintenance, quality, and engineering to improve safety and product quality while optimizing costs.\n\nDuties and Responsibilities\n\nModel and help lead the significant improvement in core competencies associated with high and low‑pressure injection molding.\n\nDevelop and implement a standardized production start‑up and process optimization protocol, train staff, and apply to daily production.\n\nApply statistical testing methods to determine process capabilities, establish standards, and validate process capability.\n\nAnalyze process performance data and identify trends, runs, and countermeasures to reduce process variation.\n\nApply continuous improvement methods such as lean manufacturing, six sigma, and A‑3 problem‑solving techniques to enhance manufacturing quality, reliability, and cost effectiveness.\n\nDetermine root causes of failures using statistical methods and recommend changes in designs, tolerances, or processing methods to avoid re‑occurrences.\n\nHelp specify and introduce new equipment, methods, and processes to improve existing operations.\n\nDesign, develop, and implement control systems to improve production cycle times and product quality.\n\nIdentify and solve repetitive problems and failures associated with process parameters.\n\nTravel, as required, for planning and presentations.\n\nKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities\n\nUnderstanding of Scientific Injection Molding and Plastics Processing Variables.\n\nProven track record of driving significant efficiency improvements and cost reduction efforts.\n\nStrong people skills and a proven ability to work with opposing opinions while leading a team to the best outcome.\n\nDemonstrated skills in lean processes including problem solving and daily management.\n\nCreative analytical person with a high degree of analytical skills.\n\nPassionate about continuous improvement and teamwork.\n\nWell organized initiative‑taker, skilled in time management.\n\nAbility to interpret electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic schematics.\n\nAbility to lead and manage a team of Process Technicians.\n\nProficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Computer aided design (CAD) is beneficial.\n\nExcellent oral and written communication skills.\n\nExperience and Education\n\nBachelor of Science Degree in Plastics Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent technical education preferred.\n\n5+ years of processing experience in a plastics manufacturing environment.\n\nSolid understanding of plastic materials, tooling, and press functions.\n\nDemonstrated success working in and/or leading cross‑functional teams.\n\nExperience working with programmable logic controller (PLC), control logic and human machine interface (HMI) is beneficial.\n\nWorking Conditions\n\nTypical office environment.\n\nTravel up to 10%.\n\n$50,000 - $70,000.\n\nPhysical Requirements\n\nWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects.\n\nThe employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear and will occasionally be required to bend, stoop, kneel, and climb stairs.\n\nSpecific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","company":"Merge","rawCompany":"merge","city":"Springfield","state":"MO","isRemote":false,"isActive":true,"createdAt":"2026-06-20T04:50:19.903Z","occupations":[{"code":"17-2112.03","title":"Manufacturing Engineers","slug":"manufacturing-engineers"},{"code":"17-2112.00","title":"Industrial Engineers","slug":"industrial-engineers"},{"code":"17-2131.00","title":"Materials Engineers","slug":"materials-engineers"}],"industries":[{"code":"326199","title":"All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing","slug":"all-other-plastics-product-manufacturing"},{"code":"326121","title":"Unlaminated Plastics Profile Shape Manufacturing","slug":"unlaminated-plastics-profile-shape-manufacturing"},{"code":"326130","title":"Laminated Plastics Plate, Sheet (except Packaging), and Shape Manufacturing","slug":"laminated-plastics-plate-sheet-except-packaging-and-shape-manufacturing"}],"jobPosting":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"JobPosting","title":"Plastics Processing Engineer","description":"The Plastics Processing Engineer is responsible for applying a working knowledge of injection molding, plastic materials, engineering theory, problem‑solving techniques and Lean methodologies to improve molding efficiency and equipment performance. The successful candidate will have expertise in injection molding and the ability to teach, mentor, and lead others working cross‑functionally with production, maintenance, quality, and engineering to improve safety and product quality while optimizing costs.\n\nDuties and Responsibilities\n\nModel and help lead the significant improvement in core competencies associated with high and low‑pressure injection molding.\n\nDevelop and implement a standardized production start‑up and process optimization protocol, train staff, and apply to daily production.\n\nApply statistical testing methods to determine process capabilities, establish standards, and validate process capability.\n\nAnalyze process performance data and identify trends, runs, and countermeasures to reduce process variation.\n\nApply continuous improvement methods such as lean manufacturing, six sigma, and A‑3 problem‑solving techniques to enhance manufacturing quality, reliability, and cost effectiveness.\n\nDetermine root causes of failures using statistical methods and recommend changes in designs, tolerances, or processing methods to avoid re‑occurrences.\n\nHelp specify and introduce new equipment, methods, and processes to improve existing operations.\n\nDesign, develop, and implement control systems to improve production cycle times and product quality.\n\nIdentify and solve repetitive problems and failures associated with process parameters.\n\nTravel, as required, for planning and presentations.\n\nKnowledge, Skills, and Abilities\n\nUnderstanding of Scientific Injection Molding and Plastics Processing Variables.\n\nProven track record of driving significant efficiency improvements and cost reduction efforts.\n\nStrong people skills and a proven ability to work with opposing opinions while leading a team to the best outcome.\n\nDemonstrated skills in lean processes including problem solving and daily management.\n\nCreative analytical person with a high degree of analytical skills.\n\nPassionate about continuous improvement and teamwork.\n\nWell organized initiative‑taker, skilled in time management.\n\nAbility to interpret electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic schematics.\n\nAbility to lead and manage a team of Process Technicians.\n\nProficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Computer aided design (CAD) is beneficial.\n\nExcellent oral and written communication skills.\n\nExperience and Education\n\nBachelor of Science Degree in Plastics Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent technical education preferred.\n\n5+ years of processing experience in a plastics manufacturing environment.\n\nSolid understanding of plastic materials, tooling, and press functions.\n\nDemonstrated success working in and/or leading cross‑functional teams.\n\nExperience working with programmable logic controller (PLC), control logic and human machine interface (HMI) is beneficial.\n\nWorking Conditions\n\nTypical office environment.\n\nTravel up to 10%.\n\n$50,000 - $70,000.\n\nPhysical Requirements\n\nWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects.\n\nThe employee frequently is required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear and will occasionally be required to bend, stoop, kneel, and climb stairs.\n\nSpecific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.\n\n#J-18808-Ljbffr","datePosted":"2026-06-20T04:50:19.903Z","dateModified":"2026-06-20T04:50:19.903Z","hiringOrganization":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Merge","sameAs":"https://jobsearcher.com"},"jobLocation":{"@type":"Place","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressLocality":"Springfield","addressRegion":"MO","addressCountry":"US"}},"identifier":{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"JobSearcher","value":"3fbcb1ce785081b28969163a"},"url":"https://jobsearcher.com/jobs/3fbcb1ce785081b28969163a"}}