Principal Manufacturing Engineer in Centennial, Colorado at Plastic Molding Technology LLC

Company Description:

Plastic Molding Technology (PMT) manufactures high precision plastic parts for automotive, telecommunications, medical device, renewable energy, and industrial customers. The primary manufacturing processes are injection molding and thermoforming. PMT has ~100 injection molding presses at its two primary manufacturing locations in El Paso, TX and Centennial, CO (a suburb of Denver).

Why Join Us?

Competitive salary and benefits package

Opportunity to work in a dynamic and innovative manufacturing environment

Growth potential within the company

What you’ll do:

Serve as the principal technical authority for injection molding across all company facilities

Define, maintain, and evolve enterprise-wide standards, best practices, and procedures for injection molding execution

Provide expert technical guidance to the Director of Engineering, process engineers, manufacturing engineers, and leadership on complex, high-impact, or non-standard technical decisions

Lead the technical evaluation, quoting, and kickoff of all new injection molding tools, ensuring alignment with performance, quality, and long-term manufacturability requirements

Act as the primary technical interface with mold builders during tool design, review, and launch phases

Support new program launches by establishing robust process strategies and resolving tooling-related risks

Define technical specifications for injection molding machines, auxiliary equipment, and automation, including development of RFQs and evaluation of vendor proposals

Collaborate with leadership and finance on capital planning, including equipment selection, replacement strategy, and expansion planning

Support capital projects through technical justification, vendor engagement, and execution oversight

Drive efforts to standardize molding systems and practices across sites to improve consistency, efficiency, scalability, and long-term maintainability

Identify opportunities to eliminate unnecessary engineering labor from quoting and execution workflows by implementing smarter systems, standards, and tools

Support development of training frameworks and technical documentation to reinforce standardized execution

Support capacity analysis, equipment sizing, and right-sizing of molding operations to meet current and future business needs

Provide technical input into plant layouts, equipment placement, and facility growth plans

Partner with operations and leadership to ensure manufacturing strategy aligns with business growth objectives

Serve as the corporate technical representative with equipment OEMs, tooling vendors, automation suppliers, and industry partners.

Support site teams as needed for complex process challenges, critical customer issues, or strategic initiatives.Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in injection molding

Performs other duties as assigned

What we’re looking for:

Bachelor’s degree in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline with a strong emphasis in plastics manufacturing. Advanced degree (Master’s) or equivalent combination of education and progressive industry experience demonstrating sustained technical leadership and authority

15+ years of progressive experience in an injection molding manufacturing environment, with deep expertise in process engineering and/or tooling engineering

Demonstrated expertise in specifying injection molding equipment, auxiliary systems, and tooling, including development of technical requirements and evaluation of vendor proposals

Advanced proficiency in scientific injection molding principles and their practical application in production and tooling development

Proven experience with capacity planning, equipment sizing, and right-sizing manufacturing operations to support growth and efficiency

Experience leading or significantly contributing to capital projects, including technical justification, capital request development, and execution support

Strong business acumen, with the ability to align technical decisions with broader business objectives, cost considerations, and long-term strategy

Functional working knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks sufficient to review layouts, tooling concepts, and equipment integration

Strong background in data-driven decision making, including use of process data, metrics, and analysis to guide technical direction

Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for technical analysis, documentation, and executive-level communication

Demonstrated ability to learn and effectively utilize new software tools and systems used by the organization

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage plant personnel, engineering teams, leadership, customers, and external vendors

Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving capabilities, particularly for complex, cross-site technical challenges

Exceptional time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities independently

Commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and staying current with industry best practices and emerging technologies

High level of attention to detail combined with systems-level perspective

Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently

This position is on-site in Centennial, CO, with travel as needed to support strategic initiatives, major launches, and critical technical engagements.

Plastic Molding Technology does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or third-party recruiters. Any resumes submitted to our employees or hiring managers without a formal, signed agreement in place with Human Resources will be considered property of Plastic Molding Technology. We will not be liable for any fees related to unsolicited submissions and will not recognize any claims to candidate ownership. A valid contract must be executed before any candidate submissions are accepted.