Process Engineer - Plastic Extrusion

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

This role is responsible for the design and manufacture of profile extrusion tooling and the development of custom processes aimed at enhancing quality, material efficiency, and productivity. The Process Engineer will collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Quality Control, Materials, and Sales teams to achieve these shared goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all safety protocols and complete required annual training.
• Design tooling and develop processes for mono and co-extruded plastic profiles and tubing.
• Lead new tooling development projects, using a hands-on approach to meet quality standards and sample delivery timelines.
• Partner with production, maintenance, and QC to achieve first article sample approvals.
• Coordinate tooling needs for new products, working cross-functionally with technicians and production leadership.
• Oversee machine shop activities, ensuring tools meet design standards and quality expectations.
• Act as a systems analyst for the machine shop and manage vendor communication as needed.
• Collaborate with engineering leadership to prioritize shop activities and tool delivery schedules.
• Manage procurement needs for the machine shop in coordination with Supply Chain.
• Support additional company sites and departments with tooling requirements and process improvements.
• Troubleshoot daily process issues and support continuous improvement initiatives to boost efficiency and reduce waste.
• Address urgent or unplanned tooling rebuilds as needed.

Additional Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and document tool development trials.
• Maintain accurate engineering records and databases.
• Approach challenges with creativity and innovation.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• 3–5 years of experience in plastic manufacturing, preferably in extrusion die design and process development.
• Familiarity with various plastic resins and their processing requirements.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and CAD/CAM software.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects with attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills—both written and verbal.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).

Physical Requirements

• Lift and move objects up to 50 lbs.
• Stand and walk on concrete floors for extended periods (8+ hours/day) wearing safety footwear.
• Sit and work at a computer workstation as needed.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing environment with machinery noise and exposure to dust, fumes, and machining odors.
• Temperature conditions may vary based on the season.