Senior Molding Engineer

Ingersoll Rand is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

Job Title: Sr. Process Engineer

Location: Lincolnshire, IL

About Us:
Imagine a company with technology leadership of over 160 years, yet it operates with the energy of a startup. Ingersoll Rand has dedicated itself to Making Life Better for its employees, customers, shareholders, and planets. We produce innovative and mission-critical flow creation and life science technologies - from compressors to precision handling of liquids, gasses, and powers - to increase industrial productivity, efficiency, and sustainability. Supported by over 80+ brands, our products are used in various end-markets including life sciences, food and beverage, clean energy, industrial manufacturing, infrastructure, and more. Across the globe, we're driving growth with an entrepreneurial spirit and ownership mindset. Learn more at irco.com and join us to own your future.

Job Overview:
The Process Engineer is responsible for the development, optimization and sustaining robust molding processes for liquid silicone rubber (LSR) and high consistency rubber (HCR) utilizing injection, transfer and compression molding processes. The Process Engineer plays a key role in driving process capability, optimizing cycle times, reducing scrap, troubleshooting production issues and ensuring stable manufacturing performance across all molding work centers.

The Process Engineer collaborates closely with the Tooling, Production, Quality, NPI and Maintenance teams to ensure successful product launches, consistent quality and efficient manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities:

• Develop, validate, and optimize molding processes for LSR injection molding, HCR injection/compression/transfer molding, and multi-cavity, family mold, and multi-shot configurations.
• Apply scientific molding techniques to establish injection/fill profiles, pack/hold strategies, cure and thermal controls, venting, and flash prevention parameters.
• Perform process determination and DOE studies to improve capability (Cp/Cpk), reduce variation, and maintain standardized process sheets, recipes, and work instructions.
• Provide daily troubleshooting support for molding defects including flash, short shots, cure variations, knit lines, voids, sticking/ejection issues, shrink, durometer, and dimensional stability concerns.
• Lead root cause analysis (5 Why, 8D, Fishbone), implement corrective/preventive actions, and train operators and technicians on molding best practices.
• Partner with Tooling and Maintenance teams on gate/vent design, cold runner or valve-gate LSR systems, mold thermal management, mold qualification, production readiness, and validated equipment performance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time, scrap/rework reduction, OEE, material yield, LEAN/Kaizen/5S projects, and use SPC/data analytics to improve process stability.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with NPI, Quoting, Production, and Quality teams on feasibility reviews, new mold trials, launch readiness, process changes, and uphold company values of quality, accountability, respect, innovation, integrity, teamwork, communication, and customer focus.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in an Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Materials, Plastics, Polymer)/
• 5+ years' direct experience in silicone and/or rubber molding, with strong understanding of:
• 1+ years of Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) injection experience.
• 1+ years of experience in High Consistency Rubber (HCR) molding.
• 1+ years of experience in Compression and transfer molding.
• 1+ years of experience in Cure cycles, post-cure and material behavior.

Preferences:

• Experience with SolidWorks or other 3D modelling software.
• Experience with mold flow analysis (or ability to interpret results).
• Background in medical, automotive, aerospace or industrial silicone components.
• Experience supporting APQP, PPAP and customer audits.
• Experience with automation, vision inspection and deflashing/trimming technologies.
• Background with adhesion/bonding techniques, multi-shot molding and over molding.
• RJG/Paulson certification or silicone-specific molding training.
• Familiarity with ISO13485 and clean room procedures would be beneficial.
• Tool design elements (cavitation, gating, venting, steel types).
• Experience using DOE, SPC and statistical tools for process improvement.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD & T, CAD models, customer and regulatory specifications.
• Demonstrated success in troubleshooting complex molding issues.

Travel & Work Arrangements/Requirements:

• Onsite

Pay Range:
The pay range for this role is $100-$125k. The pay range considers a wide range of factors that include a candidate's skills; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and geographic location.

What We Offer:
At Ingersoll Rand, we embrace a culture of personal ownership - taking responsibility for our company, our communities, and our environment, as well as our individual health and well-being. Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to empower you with the tools and support necessary to take charge of your health, ensuring that together, we can continue to make life better. Our range of benefits includes health care options like medical and prescription plans, dental and vision coverage, as well as wellness programs. Additionally, we provide life insurance, a robust 401(k) plan, paid time off, and even an employee stock grant, among other offerings. These benefits are our commitment to you, so you can be your best at work and beyond.


Ingersoll Rand Inc. (NYSE:IR), driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and ownership mindset, is dedicated to helping make life better for our employees, customers and communities. Customers lean on us for our technology-driven excellence in mission-critical flow creation and industrial solutions across 40+ respected brands where our products and services excel in the most complex and harsh conditions. Our employees develop customers for life through their daily commitment to expertise, productivity and efficiency. For more information, visit