Job description
Senior Injection Moulding Technician
Location: South Leicestershire (commutable from Leicester, Rugby, Hinckley and Market Harborough)
Salary: £35,000 – £45,000 + [benefits]
Hours: Days
Type: Permanent
The role
Xia Engineering is recruiting a Senior Injection Moulding Technician for an established plastics manufacturer in South Leicestershire. This isn’t a role running the same tool for weeks at a time. The work is small-batch and varied, with lots of T0 trials on new tools, plus a large amount of insert moulding and overmoulding.
You’ll report to the Mould Shop Supervisor and be the go-to technical person on the shop floor. You’ll get new tools from first shot to a stable, validated process, handle frequent changeovers and keep quality right on short runs where there’s little room to fine-tune.
This day-shift role suits a technician who likes variety and a technical challenge, and who gets satisfaction from proving out a new tool.
What you’ll be doing
- Running T0 trials and mould sampling on new tools, developing robust processes and supporting process validation
- Setting up insert moulding and overmoulding jobs, including insert loading, positioning, and checks on bonding and encapsulation
- Making frequent tool and material changes on small-batch work, setting machines from zero to spec quickly and accurately
- Checking that material, masterbatch and inserts match each job, and using the correct jigs, fixtures and auxiliary equipment
- Carrying out first-off inspections and getting approval before production starts
- Leading troubleshooting on moulding defects and process problems, and optimising cycle times without affecting quality
- Finding and fixing material feed and drying issues
- Working closely with QC and Toolmakers on tool modifications, trial feedback and recurring problems
- Responding to machine alarms, finding the root cause and doing basic maintenance (oil, water flow, heater bands, air lines, filters, O-rings, sensors, hoses)
- Reporting cycle time and scrap variances, and keeping the work cell safe, clean and organised
What you’ll need
- At least 5 years’ experience setting and processing on injection moulding machines
- Hands-on experience of tool trials and sampling, from T0 through to process sign-off
- Experience of insert moulding and/or overmoulding
- Comfort with high-mix, low-volume work and frequent changeovers
- Strong process knowledge and a methodical approach to troubleshooting defects
- Close attention to detail and a solid awareness of health and safety
Nice to have
- Experience on Engel, Arburg or Sumitomo machines
- Experience with robotic handling or automation in moulding
- Knowledge of ISO 9001 or similar quality systems
- Scientific moulding or formal plastics processing training
What’s on offer
- £35,000 – £45,000, depending on experience
- Days, so no shifts or nights, although flexibility will be required.
- Varied, technically interesting work rather than repetitive production
Reference 225787444
Apply Now