Plastics Engineer

What You'll Do: Relate Search has partnered with a manufacturer in their search for a Senior Plastics Engineer to design and develop plastic components across new product development and value-engineering initiatives. This role is design-focused and will take components through complete design cycles while accounting for materials, tooling, and manufacturing constraints. The engineer will work closely and independently with external suppliers, applying injection-molding, DFM, mold-flow, and materials knowledge to improve manufacturability and quality. This is an opportunity to join a small plastics team with a significant project workload, broad technical ownership, and the ability to bring forward cost-reduction and material-conversion ideas.

Responsibilities: Design plastic components through complete design cycles across new product development and value-engineering initiatives. Apply injection-molding, tooling, and manufacturing knowledge to ensure designs are manufacturable and to reduce unnecessary supplier design iteration. Evaluate plastic materials and alternative materials based on application requirements, performance, formulation changes, and availability. Work independently with external suppliers through DFM and mold-flow reviews, guiding technical decisions and challenging recommendations when appropriate. Partner with Quality and suppliers during new-tool and new-part evaluations, reviewing processing conditions and resulting quality issues while identifying appropriate cost-reduction opportunities.

Qualifications: Approximately 7 years of relevant experience preferred, with demonstrated ability to independently take plastic components through complete design cycles. Direct experience designing plastic components; candidates whose backgrounds are primarily CAD support or plastics processing without design ownership are not the target profile. Strong injection-molding knowledge is important; experience with thermoforming is helpful, while expertise across every plastics process is not required. Working knowledge of DFM, mold flow, tooling and manufacturing constraints, and independent supplier collaboration. Strong plastics-material knowledge and the ability to evaluate alternatives; Plastics Engineering education is valued but not required, and Mechanical Engineering backgrounds with relevant professional plastics-design experience are viable.

Perks & Benefits: The work is primarily focused on new product development, with additional value-engineering and cost-reduction projects. Join a small plastics team with significant project volume and the opportunity to bring forward ideas and influence component design decisions. Onsite five days per week in Augusta, Georgia, with management flexibility around normal personal needs and appointments. About Relate Search: Relate Search is a Woman, Minority, and LGBTQIA+ owned executive and professional search firm dedicated to connecting top talent with meaningful opportunity. With deep expertise across Supply Chain & Operations, Technology, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, and Accounting & Finance we deliver customized, people-first recruiting solutions that drive lasting impact. Equal Opportunity & Diversity Statement: Relate Search is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and are committed to building inclusive teams where everyone belongs. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.