Plastic Process Technician

Job DescriptionJob Description

The Process Technician is a critical hands-on role responsible for ensuring that all plastic injection molding processes operate efficiently, safely, and consistently, according to established standards. This role executes process setups, troubleshoots production issues, and collaborates closely with the Process Engineer to reduce scrap and minimize machine downtime.

Location: Brooklyn Park, MN

Shift: 1st

Schedule: Monday to Friday

Pay: $35-40 per hour (will pay more based on experience)

Type: Direct Hire / Full-Time Employment

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Process Execution and Monitoring

• Execute and Verify Setups: Perform mold and machine setups, including starting up and shutting down injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment (Thermolators, dryers, conveyors). Enable and verify press alarm limits for key process variables such as mold protect, cushion, injection pressure, charge time, and temperature to ensure early detection of process drift. Verify that processes meet documented production parameters before handing off to production operators.
• Process Monitoring: Continuously monitor molding processes using both visual inspection and live machine data (sensor feedback, alarm history, shot-to-shot trends) to ensure stability and adherence to established Scientific Molding principles and process sheets.
• Troubleshooting: Respond to and troubleshoot basic to intermediate-level process variations and mechanical faults, including issues with resin delivery, temperature control, and machine cycles. Utilize data from machine monitoring systems and historical IQMS records to diagnose root causes and prevent recurrence. Work closely with the Tool Room and Maintenance team to resolve recurring issues.
• Validation Support: Assist the Process Engineer with new mold qualifications and validation runs, gathering data and providing hands-on support.

Quality and Documentation:

• Scrap Reduction: Actively identify root causes of molded part defects and implement immediate, approved corrective actions to minimize scrap and maximize material yield.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and complete documentation in IQMS for all setups, alarm settings, process changes, machine adjustments, and troubleshooting activities, ensuring full traceability between parameter changes, shot data, and quality outcomes.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct regular checks on molded parts using measuring tools (calipers, micrometers) to ensure components meet dimensional and cosmetic requirements. Record and trend key process outputs (e.g., shot weight, cushion, charge time) and report anomalies or trends suggesting drift. Ensure all process documentation meets ISO 13485 and internal quality system requirements.