Plastics Engineers and Technicians

Plastics engineers engage in the manufacture, fabrication, and end use of existing materials, as well as in the development of new materials, processes, and equipment. The term, plastics engineering, encompasses a wide variety of applications and manufacturing processes. Depending on the processes involved, plastics engineers develop everything from the initial part design to the processes and automation required to produce and finish the production parts.

Plastics technicians are skilled professionals who help engineers, scientists, research groups, and manufacturers design, develop, manufacture, and market plastics products. Plastics technicians may work in research and development or manufacturing. In these settings, they function at a level between the engineer or scientist in charge of a job, and the production or laboratory workers who carry out most of the tasks. Other plastics technicians handle mold and tool making, materials and machinery, sales and services, and related technical tasks. Plastics are a $427 billion industry in the United States.

Salary Range

$25,000 to $100,000

Minimum Education Level

High School Diploma

Certification/License

None

Outlook

Decline

Personality Traits

Hands On

Problem-Solving

Scientific

Career Ladder

Senior Plastics Engineer

Plastics Engineer

Plastics Technician