Plastics Process Development Engineer

Work Schedule

Standard (Mon-Fri)

Environmental Conditions

Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Office

Job Description

When you join us at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll be part of an inquisitive team that shares your passion for exploration and discovery. With revenues of more than $40 billion and the largest investment in R&D in the industry, we give our people the resources and chances to create significant contributions to the world.

Location/Division Specific Information

Our Mebane, NC facility is where innovation and excellence come together. Become part of this dynamic location as we pioneer advancements in life sciences.

Discover Impactful Work:

As a Plastics Process Development Engineer, you will lead the development, optimization, and validation of molding processes that support Thermo Fisher Scientific’s portfolio of innovative plastic products used in life science and laboratory applications. You will use your deep technical expertise in Scientific Injection Molding (SIM), Design of Experiments (DOE), and process validation to deliver robust, repeatable, and efficient molding processes that meet demanding performance and quality requirements while ensuring on time product delivery to our customers.

A day in the Life:

• Lead process development activities for new and existing injection molded components from concept through commercial production.
• Apply Scientific Injection Molding (SIM) principles to establish, optimize, and control molding parameters for consistent part quality.
• Develop and conduct Design of Experiments (DOE) to evaluate process variables, establish control windows, and identify critical process parameters.
• Partner multi-functionally with tooling, quality, materials, and manufacturing teams to ensure seamless product launch and scale-up.
• Support tooling design and qualification, including review of gating, venting, cooling, and part ejection systems.
• Lead and document process validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) in alignment with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s quality systems and industry standards.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting of molding processes and equipment to resolve performance issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to process technicians and junior engineers.
• Generate detailed technical reports, protocols, and documentation to support validation and regulatory submissions.

Keys to Success:

• To succeed in this position, you need outstanding analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. Additionally, written and verbal communication should be excellent.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience.

• A Master’s degree or equivalent experience is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in injection molding process development, optimization, and validation.
• Proven track record applying Scientific Injection Molding (SIM) principles in a production environment.
• Proficiency with Design of Experiments (DOE), process characterization, and statistical analysis tools.
• Extensive experience developing processes for high-precision, tight-tolerance plastic components.
• Experience with thin-walled molding applications such as pipette tips, vials, or microfluidic devices preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of plastics materials and additives. Experience with polymer flow simulation software (e.g., Moldflow, Sigmasoft) is a plus.
• Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment (e.g., medical device, life sciences, or pharma) is highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and documentation abilities across technical and non-technical team members.
• Demonstrated skill in guiding projects, handling priorities, and achieving outcomes in a dynamic setting.
• Passion for Thermo Fisher Scientific’s mission and strong dedication to quality and continuous improvement.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• Ability to occasionally lift up to 40 lbs. and perform activities such as bending, reaching, and standing as needed.
• Environment split between office and manufacturing.

Benefits:

We offer competitive remuneration, annual incentive plan bonus, healthcare, and a range of employee benefits. Thermo Fisher Scientific offers employment with an innovative, forward-thinking organization, and outstanding career and development prospects. We offer an exciting company culture that stands for integrity, intensity, involvement, and innovation!