A plastics engineer is a specialist in plastics, which are semi-liquid chemical polymers that are used on a daily basis. To perform the various duties within the industry, this job necessitates a strong understanding of chemistry and physics. Plastics engineering is required for tasks such as developing, researching, testing, and problem solving organizations as diverse as automobile manufacturers, toy manufacturers, and food storage.
One of the most important roles for a plastics engineer is unquestionably development. To better serve the plastics market, new techniques and chemical combinations are constantly being developed, and engineers are at the forefront of developing these new plastic products. These engineers frequently work in labs to develop plastics using the skills they learned while earning an engineering degree. They are most likely consulted because a client requires a stronger, lighter, or less expensive plastic than what is currently in use.
Testing is a part of a plastics engineer’s job that goes hand in hand with development. The engineer uses his or her knowledge of the chemical and physical properties of plastics to put new products through rigorous testing to ensure their long-term viability. Various plastics are subjected to weather testing, strength testing, thermal testing at high and low temperatures, chemical testing, and even electric conductivity tests. If a plastic fails testing, the engineer will most likely go back to the design stage to improve it.
Another crucial aspect of this profession is research. To better understand current breakthroughs, a plastics engineer must read academic research on the latest techniques and polymers being developed other labs. Furthermore, an engineer must be able to look back on the issues that arose during the formation of certain plastics in order to determine how they were resolved. When the competition is fierce, engineers need quick, efficient research skills to stay productive and on the cutting edge.
A plastics engineer’s main concern is problem solving. A typical day of product testing and development rarely goes as planned, and engineers must rely on their training and experience to overcome difficult engineering challenges. Engineers are frequently regarded as the top problem solvers in an organization due to their use of the scientific method and critical-thinking skills. Because he or she is frequently called upon when answers cannot be determined others, an engineer with excellent problem-solving skills will frequently be able to move into a managerial role.