Chloe Zhang
The demand for plastic products is inspiring a similar demand for engineering talent. In 2021, the plastics industry in Indiana accounted for 16.3 of every 1,000 non-farm jobs, while Wisconsin was second at 15.4. In the same year, Ohio had the most plastics industry employment, with 75,100 jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts job growth for materials engineers, which includes plastics engineers, to be about average through 2014. However, plastics engineering graduates have a hard time finding a job right out of college. Still, with experience, they can advance to sales, management, or other related occupations within the plastics industry.
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What You'll Learn
Plastics engineering jobs in the US
The plastic products sector was the sixth-largest industry in the US in 2020, and it is expected to expand in the coming decades. This expansion will create more opportunities for plastics engineers, who will be needed to oversee the design and production processes.
Plastics engineers work for the manufacturers of plastic products, materials, and resins. Major plastics employers in the United States include DuPont, General Motors, and Owens-Corning. Some of the top thermoforming companies are in Illinois, including Tenneco Packaging, Solo Cup Company, and Ivex Packaging Corporation. Michigan has some of the top injection moulding companies, including Lear Corporation, UT Automotive, and Venture Industries Corporation. However, large plastics companies are located across the country.
In 2021, Indiana had the highest proportion of plastics industry employment, with 16.3 of every 1,000 non-farm jobs in the state belonging to the plastics industry. Wisconsin was second at 15.4.
There are currently thousands of plastic engineer jobs in the United States advertised on LinkedIn. Some of the top companies hiring now for plastics engineer jobs include Cooley Group, Cirkul Inc., Envipco, ZAAS, and Rieke, LLC.
There are also many specific plastics engineering roles advertised. For example, a Quality Engineer in Minneapolis, MN, can earn up to $90k. A Tool and Die Design Engineer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, can earn between $48k and $88k. A Plastics Process Engineer at Royal will support production with any processing issues and optimise manufacturing. A Plastics Process Engineer II at Applied Medical will drive the development, optimisation, and maintenance of plastics manufacturing processes. A Process Engineer in the plastics industry can earn between $90,000 and $110,000 per year.
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Injection moulding jobs
- Indiana: In 2021, the plastics industry accounted for 16.3 of every 1,000 non-farm jobs in Indiana, making it the state with the highest proportion of plastics industry jobs in the country.
- Ohio: Ohio had the highest employment in the plastics industry in 2021, with 75,100 jobs.
- Illinois: Illinois is home to several top thermoforming companies, including Tenneco Packaging, Solo Cup Company, and Ivex Packaging Corporation. These companies are likely to have injection moulding job opportunities.
- Michigan: Michigan is home to several top injection moulding companies, including Lear Corporation, UT Automotive, and Venture Industries Corporation.
Specific injection moulding job openings can be found in various locations, including Akron, OH; Lake Zurich, IL; Ewing, NJ; and Chatham, NY. These positions often offer competitive salaries, ranging from $21 to $57 per hour, depending on experience and skills.
The availability of injection moulding jobs is expected to grow with the expansion of the plastics markets. The integration of plastics into various industries and the development of environmentally friendly products will drive the demand for injection moulding expertise.
Overall, injection moulding jobs are widespread, and opportunities can be found in multiple states, with salaries varying based on experience and specific roles.
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Plastic engineering jobs in the technology industry
Plastic engineering jobs are in high demand due to the expanding plastics markets and the increasing incorporation of plastics into various industries' product lines. The plastic products sector is a significant contributor to the US economy, with shipments totaling $468 billion in 2021, and the industry is expected to continue its growth trajectory.
Plastic engineers in the technology industry often work with manufacturers of plastic products, materials, and resins. Some of the major plastics employers in the United States include DuPont, General Motors, and Owens-Corning. Additionally, there are numerous thermoforming and injection molding companies across the country, particularly in states like Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. These companies offer a range of engineering jobs, from design and development to manufacturing and quality control.
The salary for plastic engineering jobs in the technology industry varies depending on experience and specific job roles. According to the Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors (MAPP), manufacturing engineers with around six years of experience in the plastics industry earned an average of $32 per hour, while design engineers with similar experience earned a slightly lower average of $31.73 per hour. More specialized roles, such as Molding Engineers, can have salaries ranging from $70,500 to $87,500 annually.
Plastic engineering graduates can expect a varied job market, with opportunities in both established companies and emerging technologies. The expanding industry and the increasing demand for plastic products ensure that plastic engineering jobs in the technology industry will continue to be in high demand, offering a range of exciting career paths for professionals in this field.
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Plastic engineering jobs in retail
The retail industry's demand for plastic products has created a corresponding demand for plastic engineering talent. Retailers require plastic engineers to design, develop, manufacture, and market plastic products.
Plastic engineers in retail work with manufacturers of plastic products, materials, and resins. They may also collaborate with research groups to develop new products and improve existing ones. Retailers that incorporate plastic products into their product lines include those in the consumer goods industry, such as Tenneco Packaging, Solo Cup Company, and Ivex Packaging Corporation.
Additionally, plastic engineers in retail may be involved in developing environmentally friendly and easily recyclable products. As retailers seek to substitute plastic products for glass, paper, or metal ones, plastic engineers ensure the design and production processes are environmentally conscious.
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Plastic engineering jobs in the UK
The demand for plastic engineering jobs is increasing due to the growth in demand for plastic products. This demand is expected to expand in the coming decades, making a career in plastic engineering more attractive than ever.
Plastic engineers work with the manufacturers of plastic products, materials, and resins. They are responsible for designing, developing, and testing moulds and materials for various industries, ranging from consumer goods to medical products, robotics, and other technologies. They also design, implement, and review manufacturing procedures and equipment.
In the UK, plastic engineering jobs are available at companies like Shellworks, which is dedicated to creating a sustainable future by developing materials that behave like plastic but are environmentally friendly. Other companies, such as DuPont, General Motors, and Owens-Corning, are major employers in the plastics industry in the United States.
To get a job as a plastic engineer, considerable experience in the plastics industry or a college degree is typically required. Some of the specific roles within plastic engineering include:
- Molding Engineer: These engineers work with moulds and tool making and are responsible for the initial part design and related processes.
- Maintenance Technician: Maintenance technicians handle the technical aspects of plastic injection moulding and may also be involved in research and development.
- Injection Mould Operator: This role involves setting up and operating machines that shape plastic through injection moulding, following blueprints or design directions.
- Injection Mould Tool Designer: Tool designers develop tools and equipment for injection moulding processes.
Plastic engineering jobs offer a wide range of opportunities, from developing sustainable materials to optimising production processes and contributing to innovative technologies.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic engineering jobs are located across the world. In the United States, Ohio had the most plastics industry employment in 2021, with 75,100 jobs. Indiana and Wisconsin also had high rates of employment in the plastics industry, with 16.3 and 15.4 per 1,000 non-farm jobs, respectively. Major US employers in the plastics industry include DuPont, General Motors, and Owens-Corning.
Some common job titles for plastic engineers include:
- Molding Engineer
- Maintenance Technician Plastic Injection Molding
- Injection Mold Tool Designer
- Plastic Injection Mold Operator
To become a plastics engineer, you typically need a college degree in a related field, such as materials science and engineering, or considerable experience in the plastics industry.
The average salary for a plastics engineer in the United States is $114,128. However, salaries can vary significantly depending on the industry. For example, plastics engineers working in the technology industry earn an average of $92,987, while those in the retail industry earn an average of $69,631.
Plastics engineers are involved in the manufacture, fabrication, and end use of plastics, as well as the development of new materials, processes, and equipment. They may work in various industries, such as consumer goods, medical products, robotics, and technology.
