Director of Design Engineering

American Plastics is a privately owned injected molded plastics company that designs and manufactures workhorse items in the United States, utilizing green processes and superior design & engineering. American Plastics is a growing company, with production and distribution footprints in Missouri, Ohio, Arizona, North and South Carolina.

American Plastics is seeking a strategic, innovative Director of Design Engineering to lead and develop a high-performing team of product development engineers. This leader will drive product development and commercialization, align R&D strategy with market opportunities and business objectives, and establish robust engineering processes and standards that accelerate development cycles, strengthen execution, and improve engineering excellence. Leveraging deep expertise in plastic injection molding, the Director will guide the development of innovative, cost-effective product solutions that address consumer needs, optimize manufacturing performance, and drive business growth.

This position is based in Mooresville, NC, with remote work available for the right candidate. This position will report to the Vice President of Engineering.

Responsibilities

Product Development & Innovation

• Lead end-to-end product development activities from concept through commercialization.
• Ensure adherence to product development processes, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee design reviews, risk management activities, verification and validation strategies, and product transfer to manufacturing.

People Leadership

• Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team of design engineers
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and talent development.
• Drive performance management, organizational effectiveness, and leadership capability across the function.

Engineering Excellence

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of product development processes
• Establish Design Standards
• Establish Governance Frameworks that accelerate development cycles, ensure consistent execution, and ensure product quality.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Establish priorities, remove barriers to execution, and escalate critical risks when necessary.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, PMO, and Sales teams to achieve business objectives.

Requirements

• 15+ years of progressive R&D and new product development experience in plastic injection molded solutions for consumer-packaged goods (CPG).
• 7+ years of experience leading and developing engineering teams across geographically dispersed and global organizations.
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering
• Deep expertise in plastic injection molding, including part design, material selection, Moldflow simulation, tooling considerations, and high-volume manufacturability.
• Strong knowledge of product development methodologies, including DFM/DFA, DFMEA, DVT, DVP&R, PPAP, and stage-gate processes.
• Experience with PLM/PDM systems, engineering change control, and drawing standards.
• Advanced proficiency in SolidWorks
• Proven ability to develop technical talent, mentor engineering teams, and build organizational capabilities.
• Strong business and project leadership skills, including portfolio prioritization, resource allocation, cross-functional collaboration, and alignment of R&D investments with business objectives.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively to executive stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Experience partnering with industrial design teams to preserve product aesthetics, ergonomics, and consumer experience while optimizing manufacturability, quality, and cost.

Preferred Qualification

• Master’s degree
• Proficient in CREO
• Proficient in FEA and plastics simulation tools

Essential Job Requirements

• At least 18 years of age.
• Eligible to work in the United States of America
• Pass a Pre-Employment Drug Screen & Authorize Background Check

If you are interested in joining the?American Plastics?team and want to work in a fast-paced, progressive environment, we want to hear from you. ?We offer a competitive salary, full benefit package including medical/dental, 401k, and paid vacation.