Principal Molding Engineer
Plastic Executive Recruiters, Lansing, MI, United States
Principal Molding Engineer
Southeast Michigan
Precision components. Real ownership. High-impact hire.
This manufacturer is expanding rapidly within a high-growth segment of the medical technology market, supporting next-generation surgical systems. As they scale, they are investing heavily in their plastics and molding capabilities, including precision injection molding, micro molding, and overmolding.
They are looking for a hands-on molding engineer who can help elevate their technical capabilities and play a key role in how their plastics operation grows.
Why this role matters right now
The business is at an inflection point. Historically strong in other manufacturing areas, they are now actively building out their plastics expertise, bringing more work in-house and expanding capabilities like overmolding and precision micro-scale components.
They need someone who can step in as a technical leader on the plastics side, helping guide process development, tooling decisions, and long-term capability growth.
This is a smaller, collaborative team where engineers have real influence. The culture is consistently described as low bureaucracy, high trust, and strong work-life balance, with leadership that understands what a good engineering environment looks like.
What you will own
Develop and optimize injection molding and overmolding processes for high-precision components
Support process development, mold trials, and production ramp-up for new programs
Improve process stability, repeatability, and yield, especially on tight-tolerance parts
Partner with tooling resources on DFM, mold design, and manufacturability
Help expand internal plastics capabilities, including new equipment and processes
Serve as a key plastics/process voice within a broader engineering team
Work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and program teams
Must-have experience
Hands-on injection molding process engineering experience
Background in precision molding, overmolding, or micro molding environments
Strong process development, troubleshooting, and optimization skills
Experience working closely with tooling and mold design
Strong additional signals
Experience with small or tight-tolerance components
Exposure to high-performance polymers (PEEK, nylons, etc.)
Background in regulated manufacturing (medical device preferred, not required)
Experience with validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) or scientific molding approaches
What you can expect
Direct impact on next-generation medical and surgical technologies
4-day work week (10-hour shifts)
Private company environment with minimal red tape
A team that values engineering input and practical problem solving
Strong work-life balance with limited off-hours disruption
Opportunity to shape and grow a plastics capability from within
Competitive benefits package
Target compensation: $130,000 – $160,000 (flexible based on experience)
What this role is not
Not a siloed or purely support engineering role
Not a constant firefighting production environment
Not a large corporate structure with layers of approval
If you have experience in injection molding, overmolding, or micro molding and want a role where you can actually influence how things are built and scaled, this is worth a conversation.
Southeast Michigan
Precision components. Real ownership. High-impact hire.
This manufacturer is expanding rapidly within a high-growth segment of the medical technology market, supporting next-generation surgical systems. As they scale, they are investing heavily in their plastics and molding capabilities, including precision injection molding, micro molding, and overmolding.
They are looking for a hands-on molding engineer who can help elevate their technical capabilities and play a key role in how their plastics operation grows.
Why this role matters right now
The business is at an inflection point. Historically strong in other manufacturing areas, they are now actively building out their plastics expertise, bringing more work in-house and expanding capabilities like overmolding and precision micro-scale components.
They need someone who can step in as a technical leader on the plastics side, helping guide process development, tooling decisions, and long-term capability growth.
This is a smaller, collaborative team where engineers have real influence. The culture is consistently described as low bureaucracy, high trust, and strong work-life balance, with leadership that understands what a good engineering environment looks like.
What you will own
Develop and optimize injection molding and overmolding processes for high-precision components
Support process development, mold trials, and production ramp-up for new programs
Improve process stability, repeatability, and yield, especially on tight-tolerance parts
Partner with tooling resources on DFM, mold design, and manufacturability
Help expand internal plastics capabilities, including new equipment and processes
Serve as a key plastics/process voice within a broader engineering team
Work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and program teams
Must-have experience
Hands-on injection molding process engineering experience
Background in precision molding, overmolding, or micro molding environments
Strong process development, troubleshooting, and optimization skills
Experience working closely with tooling and mold design
Strong additional signals
Experience with small or tight-tolerance components
Exposure to high-performance polymers (PEEK, nylons, etc.)
Background in regulated manufacturing (medical device preferred, not required)
Experience with validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) or scientific molding approaches
What you can expect
Direct impact on next-generation medical and surgical technologies
4-day work week (10-hour shifts)
Private company environment with minimal red tape
A team that values engineering input and practical problem solving
Strong work-life balance with limited off-hours disruption
Opportunity to shape and grow a plastics capability from within
Competitive benefits package
Target compensation: $130,000 – $160,000 (flexible based on experience)
What this role is not
Not a siloed or purely support engineering role
Not a constant firefighting production environment
Not a large corporate structure with layers of approval
If you have experience in injection molding, overmolding, or micro molding and want a role where you can actually influence how things are built and scaled, this is worth a conversation.