Automated Injection Molding Setup & Process Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Make Your Night Shift Count in Buffalo Grove, IL

Step into a high-precision plastics environment where tiny parts and tight tolerances are the norm. As an Automated Injection Molding Setup & Process Technician, you’ll own mold changeovers, machine startups, and in-process tuning while partnering with advanced robotics and vision systems to keep quality on point.

A Night in the Life

• Roll in, review the production plan, and stage molds, materials, and auxiliary equipment.
• Complete a mold change and color change, set parameters, and bring the press online for first-article verification.
• Dial in the process and robotic take-out (5-axis and 6-axis), verifying part pick, place, and downstream inspection.
• Run inspections with calipers, micrometers, gauges, and vision systems—confirming dimensions and cosmetic criteria.
• Troubleshoot issues like shorts, flash, splay, color drift, or dimensional variation and adjust to stabilize the run.
• Perform light PM on molds and auxiliaries and document everything in SAP or a comparable system.
• Wrap the shift by securing tools, updating logs, and handing off clean, stable processes.

What You’ll Handle

• Mold installations, machine startups, processing checks, and in-process adjustments for night-shift production.
• Setup and tuning of injection molding machines and auxiliary equipment in a precision-driven environment.
• Robot programming/touch-up for automated take-out (5-axis/6-axis) and coordination with automated inspections.
• Quality verification using precision metrology tools and vision systems.
• Troubleshooting process and part defects to maintain consistent part quality and cycle time targets.
• Basic preventive maintenance on molds and support equipment.
• Production reporting and traceability using SAP or similar platforms.
• Strict adherence to safety, cleanroom, and quality system procedures.

Must-Haves

• 2+ years in injection molding setup, process adjustments, and/or mold changeovers.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and real-world troubleshooting skills.
• Comfort using micrometers, calipers, and gauges; able to read blueprints.
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and stand through 12-hour shifts.
• Basic math and computer literacy; High school diploma or GED.

Nice-to-Haves

• Background in medical molding, precision plastics, or cleanroom production.
• Experience with robotic take-out, in-mold sensors, and vision inspection systems.
• SAP or TMS familiarity.
• Exposure to lean/5S practices.

Why You’ll Like It Here

• Direct-hire, full-time role at a modern facility with cleanroom areas.
• Hands-on with advanced robotics, precision molding equipment, and automated inspection.
• Competitive compensation plus a 10% night shift premium.
• Medical, dental, vision, PTO, and real training and advancement pathways.
• 2-2-3 schedule that delivers more days off each month.

Proficiencies We Value

• Mechanical troubleshooting
• Plastics: Nylon 6 (PA6) and Nylon 66 (PA66)
• Injection molding operations
• Tooling/die/mold setup
• Blueprint reading

Machines & Technologies

Hands-on with injection molding machines such as Arburg, Engel, Sumitomo, Milacron, Nissei, Toyo, and Sodick.

Location

Buffalo Grove, IL