Senior Plastic Process Engineer

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Senior Plastics Process Engineer

Location: Ingham County, MI (Hybrid)

Compensation: $100,000 – $120,000 base

Work Environment: Hybrid | High Travel 60%

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Plastics Process Engineer with 6 years supporting thermoforming to lead complex, high?impact manufacturing initiatives from concept through full?scale production.

This role serves as the technical owner of process capability and equipment performance, with direct influence on how products are manufactured at scale.

What You’ll Own

• 6 years leading thermoforming process development, optimization, and stabilization
• Own equipment performance, process capability, and full production launches
• Drive tooling development, material selection, prototyping, and validation
• Troubleshoot complex manufacturing issues directly on the plant floor
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using statistical and quality tools
• Partner cross?functionally with operations, tooling, quality, and suppliers
• Support CapEx investments, process upgrades, and large?scale manufacturing projects
• Provide technical leadership during launches and plant expansions
  
  

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field
• 6 years of process engineering experience (plastics required)
• Proven ownership of thermoforming processes in production environments
• Advanced hands?on experience with:
• SPC, SQC, DOE
• Gage R&R, FMEA, 8D, Root Cause Analysis
• Demonstrated leadership over equipment, launches, and cross?functional teams
• Strong communication skills and plant?floor presence
  
  

Work Environment

• Onsite Tuesday–Thursday, remote Monday & Friday
• 60–70% project?based travel to 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.