Thermoforming Prototype Technician

Locations: Primary: 2800 Auburn Ct, Auburn Hills, MI 48326 Secondary: 1200 Auburn Ave, Pontiac, MI 48342

Shift: 1st Shift – 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with some weekend availability required.

Pay: $25.00–$28.00 per hour

Key Responsibilities and Duties: Machine Setup & Operation: Set up and operate vacuum-forming/thermoforming prototype equipment, including tooling and fixtures. Adjust machine settings such as heat, pressure, timing, cooling, and other process parameters to achieve required results. Prototype Development: Produce, trim, finish, and evaluate prototype parts according to engineering specifications, customer requirements, and internal standard operating procedures. Process Adjustments: Complete heating, cooling, vacuum, pressure, timing, and plug-assist adjustments as necessary to successfully form prototype parts. Quality Inspection: Inspect prototype parts to verify that they meet dimensional, visual, and quality standards. Identify defects and make appropriate process adjustments or corrective actions. Troubleshooting: Identify and troubleshoot issues within the forming process, equipment, tooling, or materials to ensure prototype parts meet customer and internal requirements. Documentation: Accurately document relevant information throughout the prototyping process, including machine settings, heating and cooling approaches, tooling configurations, process changes, adjustments, and results. Tooling Development: Assist with the development, modification, and preparation of prototype tooling, plug assists, cooling fixtures, and other components needed for sampling and production. Pattern Shop Support: Work within the Pattern Shop as needed to assist with tooling and pattern-related projects while developing additional skills through cross-training. Woodworking & Fabrication: Use hand and power tools to build, modify, and finish plug assists, cooling fixtures, patterns, and other prototype components. Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area and follow all company safety procedures and established work practices. Collaborate with engineering, tooling, production, quality, and other team members throughout the prototype development process. Perform additional duties as assigned to support prototype development and Pattern Shop operations.

Required Experience: Previous hands-on experience operating vacuum-forming or thermoforming equipment is required. Previous experience working in a manufacturing, prototyping, tooling, or similar production environment. Working knowledge of vacuum-forming/thermoforming processes, including heat, vacuum, pressure, cooling, timing, and tooling adjustments. Woodworking skills, including experience building or modifying plug assists, cooling fixtures, patterns, or similar components. Experience safely operating hand and power tools, including table saws, band saws, die grinders, and similar shop equipment. Ability to read and interpret machine settings, engineering specifications, quality standards, work instructions, and CAD drawings. Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve equipment and forming-process issues. Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, particularly when developing new prototype parts or processes. Ability to accurately document machine settings, process changes, troubleshooting steps, and prototype results. Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing parts that meet customer and internal quality requirements. Ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively with engineering, production, quality, and Pattern Shop personnel. Willingness and ability to cross-train and perform work within the Pattern Shop as needed.

Physical Requirements: Ability to stand and work on your feet for 8–10 hour shifts. Ability to regularly bend, reach, pull, push, carry, and perform other physical movements required in a manufacturing environment. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Ability to safely operate manufacturing, woodworking, and prototype equipment and tools. Ability to work in a manufacturing and shop environment that may involve noise, machinery, dust, heat, and other typical industrial conditions. Important Experience Requirement Candidates must have previous vacuum-forming or thermoforming experience to be considered for this position. This role is primarily focused on producing prototype parts using vacuum-forming/thermoforming equipment and requires an individual who can bring practical forming-process knowledge to the position.