Bring Products to Life—One Perfect Run at a Time
You see a print, a resin spec, and a customer requirement—and you know exactly how to turn that into a stable, high-quality extrusion run. If dialing in temperatures, pressures, and line speeds while orchestrating dies, cutters, and pullers sounds like your craft, this role is for you.
How You’ll Contribute
Imagine the line starts to drift from target dimensions. You evaluate melt conditions, adjust barrel zones, trim puller speed, and correct die alignment—then verify color and physical properties meet spec. You keep materials flowing, collaborate with engineering on trials, and document regrind so every pound is accounted for.
Primary Responsibilities
- Set up extrusion lines: select/install dies and tooling; calibrate temperature, pressure, and speed according to product and material specs.
- Load pellets or powders into the extruder and maintain consistent feed.
- Work cross-functionally with engineering, packing, and management to optimize safety, quality, and output.
- Assist with new line setups and testing, from first article through stabilization.
- Perform on-the-spot repairs and replace worn or defective components.
- Install and adjust cutters, pullers, and auxiliary equipment for maximum efficiency.
- Execute routine maintenance and troubleshoot process or equipment issues.
- Coordinate with the warehouse team to ensure timely staging of materials and supplies.
- Maintain a clean line and workspace; process scrap through grinders and accurately track regrind.
- Continuously tune dies and machine settings to sustain safety, product quality, and productivity.
- Adhere to all applicable federal and state environmental, health, and safety regulations and company safety policies.
- Take on other tasks as assigned to support production goals.
Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent; two years of mechanical/technical training preferred.
- Ability to read and interpret technical documents and engineering drawings.
- 5+ years of relevant manufacturing experience.
- 2+ years as a plastic extrusion operator (or closely related role) preferred.
- Excellent mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
- Proficiency with extrusion equipment setup, operation, and safe practices.
- Strong problem-solving skills to maintain dimensional, color, and property targets.
- Attention to detail; working knowledge of quality control processes.
- Basic math capability for measurements, ratios, and material quantities.
- Clear communicator who collaborates effectively across teams.
- Forklift experience is a plus.
Physical & Work Conditions
- Lift up to 50 lbs without mechanical aids.
- Use required PPE (hearing/eye protection, respirators, gloves, etc.).
- Comfortable working indoors with hot/cold extremes, dust, and noise for 8–12-hour shifts.