Thermoplastic Injection Process Technician

What a Day Looks Like

You arrive to a prioritized production schedule, prep your molding cell, and set up molds and materials to launch a safe, efficient run. Throughout the shift you fine‑tune parameters, complete changeovers, and keep detailed process records so every part meets spec—then you hand off a clean, organized area to the next team.

Your Core Impact

• Set up and run material handling, molding, finishing, and assembly equipment (including mold setup and cutter adjustments).
• Own mold changeovers and machine adjustments; perform machine start‑ups and shut‑downs.
• Operate a forklift to change, move, and organize molds safely.
• Complete daily process documentation to control and maintain stable running conditions.
• Perform minor mechanical work, including insert changes and small repairs.
• Operate, repair, and maintain high‑volume injection molding machines.
• Track production quantities to manage color changes, mold changes, and order completions.
• Follow approved procedures and set priorities based on production needs.
• Reduce scrap at the root cause and drive corrective actions.
• Keep the work area audit‑ready using 5S; champion safety, quality, and environmental expectations.
• Troubleshoot support equipment such as grinders, blenders, hopper loaders, and chillers.
• Identify and resolve issues involving equipment, process, materials, training, or staffing to protect quality and efficiency.
• Recommend process, equipment, and practice improvements to engineering.
• Conduct hourly machine checks to prevent mass production of defects.
• Report end‑of‑shift metrics: safety, quality, labor hours, production tickets, scrap, and first‑part approvals.
• Communicate with the Production Lead on anything affecting flow and brief the oncoming team on performance and scrap.
• Eliminate or escalate workplace hazards immediately; perform other duties as assigned.

Training & Know‑How

• Follow all departmental safety rules and practices.
• Read and apply Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
• Work within relevant ISO procedures for this position.

What You Bring

• 3 years of plastics molding processing and maintenance experience preferred.
• Hands‑on start‑up/shut‑down experience and understanding of machine functions.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Basic data entry skills; able to speak, read/comprehend, and write in English.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Comfort operating a forklift for mold changes and material/mold movement.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Physical Demands: Standing, sitting, walking (up to continuously); speaking/verbal communication; bend/stoop; twist neck and torso (frequently); reach, hold, grasp, push, pull; lift/carry raw material, finished product, tools, and machinery up to 50 pounds (frequently).

Working Conditions: Work indoors and outdoors with exposure to temperatures consistent with outdoor seasonal conditions.

Tools & Technologies

• Injection molding machines
• Grinders, blenders, hopper loaders, chillers
• Forklifts (for mold handling)