Plastic Process Engineer
Location: Ingham County, MI (Hybrid)
Compensation: $75,000 – $95,000 base
Schedule: Hybrid | High Travel
About the Role
We are hiring a hands?on Process Engineer, with 3+ years supporting thermoforming manufacturing operations from process development through production. This role focuses on process optimization, equipment performance, and day?to?day technical problem solving within a high?visibility plastics manufacturing environment.
This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer looking to deepen ownership and grow within an operation making significant multi?year investments in equipment, people, and processes.
What You’ll Do
- 3+ years support and optimize thermoforming manufacturing processes
- Assist with process development, validation, and production ramp?ups
- Apply DFM / DFA principles in partnership with tooling, operations, and quality
- Support new product introductions (NPI) and equipment qualification
- Analyze process data and KPIs to identify improvement opportunities
- Contribute to continuous improvement efforts using Lean and quality tools
- Travel to manufacturing sites to support project execution
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field
- 3+ years of process or manufacturing engineering experience (plastics preferred)
- Exposure to thermoforming or similar plastics processes
- Hands?on familiarity with:
- SPC, SQC, 5S
- Root Cause Analysis, 8D, FMEA
- Strong problem?solving mindset and plant?floor presence
- Ability to work cross?functionally in a fast?paced manufacturing environment
Work Environment
- Onsite Tuesday - Thursday, remote Monday & Friday
- 60–70% project?based travel to U.S. manufacturing sites (EST)
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.
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