Injection Molding Setup Technician (Mold Changeover)

Location: Brighton, MI

Employment Type: Full-Time Long-Term Career Opportunity

Shift/Schedule: 6:30am - 3:30pmPay Range: $19.00 - $21.00 per hour (additional compensation may be negotiable based on experience and transferable skills)

About the Role: Picture the start of your day: the floor is humming, the production schedule is posted, and your first task is a precision mold change on a Nissei. As the go-to expert for safe, accurate changeovers, you'll stage tooling, verify utilities, and bring the cell to a production-ready state. You'll connect thermolators and hot runner controllers, check water and oil circuits, confirm safety interlocks, and dial in details so operators can run reliable parts from the first shot. Hired through Express Employment Professionals - Skilled Trades Division, you'll be a hands-on problem-solver who keeps molding operations moving-supporting teams, documenting setups, and flagging quality or safety issues before they become downtime.

What You'll Do: Mold Changeovers & Machine Preparation Execute planned mold changeovers and machine setups according to the production schedule. Safely load, position, clamp, and remove molds; verify alignment and tie-in points. Connect and route process water and auxiliary lines; confirm proper flow. Set up and connect thermolators and hot runner systems; verify zone and temperature integrity. Install and secure cores/inserts following quality standards. Validate machine safety devices and interlocks before release to production. Complete accurate Mold Setup Sheets and deliver required tooling and auxiliaries to the press. Mold Care & Inspection Clean and inspect tooling post-run; evaluate against established criteria. Drain and clean water/oil lines; manage fluids associated with changeovers. Handle molds and components to prevent wear or damage; report concerns promptly. Equipment & Material Handling Operate a forklift/fork truck safely to move molds, tooling, and auxiliaries. Use carts, rollers, and rigging aids to position heavy loads correctly. Keep staging areas, tooling racks, and press-side zones organized. Production Support & Communication Coordinate changeovers with leadership and the posted schedule. Support floor personnel with direction during startups and changeovers. Complete daily production and setup reporting; escalate issues to the Molding Manager or Team Leader. Assist with cross-functional tasks and participate in job-related training. Safety & Housekeeping Follow OSHA, plant, and equipment safety standards at all times. Maintain clean, orderly work areas; promptly clean water, oil, and other materials from changeovers. Operate forklifts, presses, and tools with strict adherence to safety protocols. What You Bring Required Prior experience in manufacturing, machine setup, mold setting, or similar mechanical work. Mechanical aptitude with hands-on troubleshooting skills. Ability to operate-or become qualified to operate-a forklift. Capability to read blueprints and work instructions. Strength to push/pull heavy loads using carts/rollers; lift up to 50 lbs. Foundational reading, math, and written communication skills. Success in fast-paced, team-oriented environments; strong initiative and willingness to learn. Comfort working around noise, dust, and heat in a manufacturing setting. Preferred 2-5 years of injection mold or die-setting experience. Background in setting molds in plastic injection presses. Experience with thermolators and hot runner controls. Working knowledge of hydraulics, pneumatics, industrial machinery, and basic electrical/electronic systems. Prior forklift experience. History of cleaning, inspecting, and prepping molds for production.