Plant Engineer/Maintenance Manager Multi-Plastics Extrusions - 3.1 Avenel, NJ Job Details Full-time $60,000 - $80,000 a year 4 hours ago Benefits Health savings account Health insurance Dental insurance 401(k) Flexible spending account Paid time off Employee assistance program Vision insurance 401(k) matching Life insurance Referral program Qualifications Manufacturing plant facilities maintenance experience Teamwork Project engineering Project management experience in manufacturing Manufacturing facility experience Leading team collaboration initiatives Managing facilities maintenance teams Managing projects Electrical Engineering Cross-functional team management Process engineering Cross-functional communication Full Job Description The Plant Engineer & Maintenance Manager oversees all engineering and maintenance activities within a plastic extrusion facility, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operation of extrusion lines, downstream equipment and supporting infrastructure. This role blends hands‑on technical expertise with leadership of the maintenance department, driving uptime, product quality, and continuous improvement across a process‑intensive manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated and has the ability to understand extrusion equipment, thermoplastics behavior, and the unique maintenance demands of continuous‑run operations. They can troubleshoot complex mechanical and electrical issues while building a disciplined, proactive maintenance culture. Key Responsibilities Engineering & Technical Operations Serve as the plant's primary engineering resource for extrusion lines, including screws/barrels, dies, heaters, drives, gearboxes, vacuum systems, melt pumps, and downstream equipment. Lead root‑cause analysis for process and equipment failures — from resin contamination to temperature control issues to mechanical wear. Work with the Production Manager and Plant Manager to optimize process parameters to improve throughput, melt quality, dimensional stability, and scrap reduction. Manage capital projects such as new extrusion lines, downstream automation, resin handling upgrades, and facility improvements.

Maintain engineering documentation:

equipment specifications, line layouts, P&IDs, electrical schematics, and process standards. Evaluate new technologies (advanced controls, energy‑efficient heaters, predictive maintenance sensors) to improve reliability and reduce operating costs. Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and industry‑specific safety and environmental standards. Maintenance Leadership Lead and supervise maintenance technicians and contractors in a 24/7 production environment. Build a preventive and predictive maintenance program tailored to extrusion equipment — screw/barrel wear tracking, gearbox oil analysis, and cooling water system maintenance. Prioritize and schedule maintenance activities to minimize downtime and avoid unplanned line stoppages. Ensuring accurate work orders, PM completion, and equipment history. Track maintenance KPIs Safety & Compliance Champion safety across all engineering and maintenance activities, including lockout/tagout, hot work, resin handling, and high‑temperature equipment. Oversee regular inspections of extrusion lines, utilities, and facility conditions. Participate in incident investigations and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Partner with Production to support daily operations, troubleshoot process issues, and improve line performance. Work with Quality to ensure equipment and process controls support dimensional accuracy, melt quality, and product consistency. Collaborate with EHS on environmental compliance, waste reduction, and safe resin handling. Support long‑term planning for capacity expansion, equipment lifecycle management, and infrastructure upgrades. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, Plastics Engineering, or equivalent experience. 3-5 years of engineering experience in plastic extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, or similar thermoplastics processing is . Ability to lead maintenance technicians in a manufacturing environment. Proven project management skills and ability to lead cross‑functional initiatives. Strong communication, leadership, and problem‑solving abilities.

Pay:

$60,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person