Senior Mold Process Technician

Join Our Team as a Senior Mold Process Tech

This is an ONSITE role based in Rosemount, MN.

The Senior Mold Process Technician develops, validates and optimizes molding processes to produce high-quality parts efficiently and consistently. This role leads mold setup, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement activities, mentors junior technicians, and works closely with engineering to improve part quality, cycle time, and uptime.

What You Will Do:

• Proficiently set up and start up molds using decoupled/scientific molding practices.
• Retrieve prepared aluminum molds and installs into injection molding press.
• Secure mold to platen and sets up appropriate mold heating and cooling.
• Load material into the machine hopper
• Inspect molds for correct set up and check to ensure proper materials are at the press prior to start.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose problems related to mold cycling and mold function in the press.
• Develop, optimize (incorporating design of experiments), stabilize and troubleshoot complex injection molding processes using a wide variety of engineered and commodity type resins on a wide range of injection molding machinery
• Ensure presses are running correct cycle time and match what is documented
• Accurately record process specifications onto cycle sheets.
• Perform thorough part inspections and make appropriate decisions relative to part quality requirements
• Investigate new materials and determines molding parameters
• Able to calculate specific material shrink.
• Request, evaluate and monitor mold modifications and repair through the rework system.
• Investigate Non-Conformances and determine corrective action(s) to ensure successful molding of acceptable parts.
• Collaborate with engineering department to enhance and debug processes, tooling, and new products
• Critique part designs for Design for Manufacturability and optimum molding performance, and communicate to appropriate personnel
• Critique tool designs for robust mechanical design and optimum molding performance, and communicate to appropriate personnel
• Support area as "Injection Molding Subject Matter Expert", who thoroughly knows materials & the inner workings of injection molds & molding machines
• Support daily production by identifying solutions for chronic issues and problems that cannot be resolved by production associates.
• Mentor and train Associate Mold Process Technicians and Mold Process Technicians on the latest problem solving, set-up and processing techniques.
• Train set up technicians and Material Handlers as assigned to insure that the set-ups being performed are done properly, in a safe manner, as well as a timely manner.
• Build communication relationships with Build, milling, CQRs, CSEs and Supervisors.
• Meet with the Shift Supervisor and other Process Technicians to discuss any and all issues relating to the shop floor.
• Adhere to all quality and safety standards within the department.
• Maintain clean and organized work area with emphasis on safety, quality, efficiency, and utilization.
• Continually seek to improve work processes and individual performance.
• Adhere to all company policies and operational procedures.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned.

What It Takes:

Education and Experience:

• 4 year technical degree OR 8+ years equivalent experience in plastic injection molding at an Engineering level
• 8+ years of experience as an Injection Mold Technician or Mold Process Technician.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Must have an in depth understanding of machine process control, Mold Design, and Molding technology
• Advanced knowledge and application of all aspects of decoupled molding techniques and engineering grade resins. RJG or Paulsen Training is a plus.
• Advanced knowledge of injection molding machines.
• Working knowledge of Mold Design, operation and Maintenance
• CAD experience and Plastic flow analysis are a plus.
• Experience using and applying appropriate metrology to confirm design specifications are achieved.
• Exhibits leadership skills that are consistent with Protolabs' values; work ethics, technical knowledge, employee oriented.
• Stays current on best practice implementation/management and monitoring
• Must be able to interact with employees, customers and vendors…