Thermoplastics Injection Molding Process Technologist

About the Role

Reports To: Shift Manager

Status: Full-time, Hourly (40 hrs/week; additional hours as needed to support company and individual goals)

A Day in the Life

You arrive to a clean, 5S-focused workspace and review the shift handoff. The first task: prepare for a mold change. You lock out the press, swap molds and end-of-arm tooling, bring the cell back online, and verify the process window. After first-piece and last-piece inspections, you fine-tune settings to hit cycle time and quality targets. Mid-shift, a part trends out of spec—your troubleshooting skills kick in. You diagnose the root cause, implement corrections, document the changes, and submit an engineering change request. Throughout the day you coach operators, coordinate material handling, and keep the area audit-ready. Before you leave, you brief the next shift so they’re set up for success.

What You’ll Handle

• Operate injection molding machines, end-of-arm tooling, and auxiliary equipment in accordance with lockout/tagout procedures and safety policies.
• Perform complete mold and EOAT changeovers; start up and shut down molding cells and related automation; obtain and document first- and last-piece inspections.
• Safely operate industrial trucks, overhead and mobile cranes, aerial platforms, and bolster carts.
• Create and maintain process instructions and master set-ups; capture best practices using 5S and Lean techniques.
• Drive continuous improvement to reduce scrap, improve cycle time, and increase efficiency; participate actively in 5S and Lean activities.
• Identify out-of-spec conditions, determine root cause, and apply corrective actions to stabilize the process.
• Document process changes; report issues; submit engineering change requests and corrective actions to the Supervisor and Process Engineer.
• Standardize, sustain, and continuously improve manufacturing processes.
• Organize, lead, and direct Operators to minimize setup time and maximize run time and throughput.
• Communicate directly with adjacent shift personnel and execute a thorough shift handoff.
• Train new team members using the New Operator Training Log.
• Complete production paperwork, including master set-up sheets, mold tag systems, product orders, and maintenance forms.
• Perform material handling as needed or directed.
• Support production by performing Operator duties when required.
• Maintain a positive, team-oriented attitude.
• Follow all safety procedures and wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

What You Bring

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3–5 years of hands-on injection molding experience.
• Powered Industrial Truck License.
• Demonstrated leadership with excellent interpersonal, communication, and team-building skills.
• Strong, practical problem-solving ability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Computer skills (AS/400 and Microsoft Office).
• 3–5 years of injection molding processing experience.
• FANUC robotics experience.
• Kaizen/Lean Manufacturing experience.

Proficiency & Tools

• Proficiency: Injection molding experience.
• Machines & Technology: Injection molding machines and related automation.