Injection Molding Process Technologist
Job Description
Job DescriptionInjection Molding Process Technologist
Shifts: 1st or 3rd | Compensation: $26–$36 per hour, based on experience
A day in this role
As production ramps up, you arrive to review the queue, verify the next mold changeover, and prep auxiliary equipment. You bring presses online, dial in temperatures, pressures, speeds, cooling, and cycle times, and run the first articles. With a practiced eye, you watch for short shots, flash, sink, warp, burn, splay, and dimensional variance—making data-driven tweaks so parts meet spec and cycles stay tight.
Through the shift, you collaborate with Quality to validate parts, partner with Maintenance on equipment readiness, and loop in Engineering to trial new molds and refine parameters. You document settings, troubleshooting actions, and any approved process changes. Between runs, you support preventive maintenance on molds, hot and cold runners, slides, cores, ejectors, and cooling circuits. You also coach operators on best practices so every handoff is smooth and safe.
What you will do
- Set up and operate plastic injection molding machines, molds, and auxiliary equipment for safe, efficient production.
- Execute mold changes, machine startups, and changeovers with minimal downtime.
- Establish and sustain optimal processing windows: temps, pressures, speeds, cooling, and cycle times.
- Troubleshoot processes and equipment to resolve quality, productivity, and cycle-time issues.
- Apply deep understanding of mold construction and operation (hot/cold runners, slides, cores, ejectors, cooling).
- Correct defects including short shots, flash, sink, warpage, burn marks, splay, and dimensional nonconformance.
- Monitor runs and adjust to maintain consistent part quality and throughput.
- Partner with Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, and Production to resolve issues quickly.
- Lead or assist in new mold and process trials, including parameter development and validation.
- Document machine settings, troubleshooting steps, and approved production changes.
- Assist with preventive maintenance and verify safe operation of molds, machines, and auxiliaries.
- Train and mentor operators on correct molding procedures.
- Follow all safety, quality, and production standards.
What you bring
- 3+ years of hands-on experience as a Process Technician in plastic injection molding (preferred).
- Strong knowledge of molding machines, tooling, and processing fundamentals.
- Proven ability to perform setups, mold changes, startups, and changeovers.
- Demonstrated skill in troubleshooting and optimizing molding processes.
- Working knowledge of resins, material handling, drying, and processing.
- Ability to read setup sheets, process documentation, and technical drawings.
- Mechanical aptitude and strong diagnostic skills.
- Comfort working independently while collaborating across Production, Quality, Maintenance, and Engineering.
- Formal plastics/injection molding training or certifications (e.g., RJG) preferred.
- Experience with varied machines, controls, molds, and auxiliary equipment is a plus.
Core proficiencies
- Machine setups for production runs
- Injection molding operations
- Tool/die/mold setup experience
- Working with injection molds and auxiliaries
- Materials: HDPE and polypropylene plastics
- Processing techniques and optimization
- RJG Certification (preferred)