{"id":2608088,"url":"https://alion.io/job/peninsula-plastics-thermoforming-prototype-technician","title":"Thermoforming Prototype Technician","company":{"id":2513041,"name":"Peninsula Plastics","domain":"peninsulaplastics.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/peninsulaplastics","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"ADP","truth_index":null},"role":"Field & Service","role_family":"Field & Service","seniority":null,"employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Auburn Hills, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":25,"max":28,"currency":"USD","period":"hour","gross":null,"usd_annual":56000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-13T15:23:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-13","last_verified_at":"2026-10-28T16:10:09Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":15,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":15},"description":"Join Our Team at Peninsula Plastics!\nPeninsula Plastics is seeking a skilled, dependable, and mechanically inclined Thermoforming Prototype Technician to join our manufacturing team!\nAs a leader in the thermoforming industry, Peninsula Plastics specializes in manufacturing high-quality, reusable plastic packaging solutions. We are looking for an experienced, hands-on technician who enjoys troubleshooting, problem-solving, and developing prototype parts that meet customer specifications and quality standards.\nIn this role, you will be responsible for setting up and operating thermoforming equipment, adjusting process parameters, troubleshooting forming issues, and producing high-quality prototype parts. You will also have opportunities to expand your skills by assisting with tooling development and occasional projects within our Pattern Shop.\nIMPORTANT: Previous hands-on thermoforming or vacuum-forming experience is required for this position. Candidates must have practical experience operating and adjusting forming equipment to be considered.\nPosition Details\nPosition: Thermoforming Prototype Technician\n\nShift: 1st Shift\n\nSchedule: Monday-Friday, 6:00 AM-2:30 PM\n\nWeekend Availability: Some weekends may be required based on production needs\n\nCompensation: $25.00-$28.00 per hour\n\nPrimary Work Location: Auburn Hills, MI\n\nSecondary Work Location: Pontiac, MI, as needed\n\nKey Responsibilities\nThermoforming Equipment Operation & Prototype Development\nSet up and operate vacuum-forming and thermoforming prototype equipment to produce sample parts that meet customer and engineering specifications.\n\nAdjust heating, cooling, vacuum, pressure, timing, and plug-assist settings to achieve desired forming results.\n\nProduce, trim, finish, and evaluate prototype parts according to customer requirements and established quality standards.\n\nMonitor equipment performance and make necessary adjustments throughout the prototyping process.\n\nPrepare and install tooling, fixtures, and other components required for prototype development.\n\nTroubleshooting & Quality Control\nIdentify and troubleshoot forming defects, equipment issues, tooling concerns, and material-related problems.\n\nInspect prototype parts for dimensional accuracy, appearance, and overall quality.\n\nMake appropriate process adjustments to resolve defects and improve prototype results.\n\nCollaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to ensure prototype parts meet customer expectations.\n\nTooling, Fabrication & Pattern Shop Support\nAssist with developing, modifying, and preparing prototype tooling, plug assists, cooling fixtures, and related components.\n\nUtilize woodworking and fabrication skills to build, modify, and finish prototype tooling and fixtures.\n\nSafely operate hand and power tools, including table saws, band saws, die grinders, and other shop equipment.\n\nProvide occasional support within the Pattern Shop on tooling and pattern-related projects.\n\nParticipate in cross-training opportunities to expand technical skills and support overall operations.\n\nDocumentation, Safety & Continuous Improvement\nAccurately document machine settings, tooling configurations, process adjustments, troubleshooting steps, and prototype results.\n\nMaintain organized records of heating, cooling, pressure, timing, and other relevant forming parameters.\n\nIdentify opportunities to improve prototype quality, equipment performance, and manufacturing efficiency.\n\nMaintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment while following established safety procedures.\n\nPerform additional duties as assigned to support prototype development and Pattern Shop operations.\n\nQualifications & Requirements\nRequired Qualifications\nPrevious hands-on experience operating thermoforming or vacuum-forming equipment is required.\n\nStrong understanding of thermoforming processes, including heating, cooling, vacuum, pressure, timing, and tooling adjustments.\n\nExperience setting up, adjusting, and troubleshooting thermoforming equipment.\n\nPrevious experience in a manufacturing, prototyping, tooling, or similar production environment.\n\nStrong mechanical aptitude with the ability to diagnose and resolve equipment and forming-process issues.\n\nWoodworking and fabrication skills, including experience building or modifying tooling, fixtures, patterns, or similar components.\n\nAbility to safely operate hand and power tools, including table saws, band saws, die grinders, and other shop equipment.\n\nAbility to read and interpret engineering specifications, work instructions, quality standards, and CAD drawings.\n\nStrong critical-thinking, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills.\n\nExcellent attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality prototype parts.\n\nAbility to accurately document machine settings, process adjustments, and prototype results.\n\nAbility to work independently while collaborating effectively with engineering, production, quality, and tooling teams.\n\nWillingness to cross-train and assist with Pattern Shop operations as needed.\n\nAdditional Skills & Experience\nExperience developing or modifying prototype tooling and plug assists.\n\nFamiliarity with dimensional inspection and prototype quality evaluation.\n\nExperience working with engineering teams during new product development.\n\nAbility to adapt to changing project requirements and troubleshoot unique prototype challenges.\n\nPhysical Requirements\nAbility to stand and work on your feet for 8-10 hour shifts.\n\nAbility to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.\n\nAbility to bend, reach, push, pull, carry, and perform other physical tasks associated with manufacturing operations.\n\nAbility to safely operate manufacturing, woodworking, and prototype equipment.\n\nAbility to work in an industrial environment that may involve machinery, noise, dust, heat, and other typical manufacturing conditions.\n\nBenefits & Perks\nAt Peninsula Plastics, we value our employees and offer a competitive benefits package designed to support their well-being and professional growth, including:\nMedical Insurance: Available after 60 days of employment.\n\nDental Reimbursement Plan: Available after 60 days of employment.\n\nVision & Life Insurance: Available after 60 days of employment, along with additional benefit options.\n\n401(k) Retirement Plan: Company match of 50% on employee contributions up to 6%.\n\nPaid Time Off: Paid holidays, vacation time, and sick days.\n\nCareer Advancement Opportunities: Opportunities for professional development, cross-training, and continued growth within the company.\n\nWhy Join Peninsula Plastics?\nAt Peninsula Plastics, you will have the opportunity to apply your technical expertise in a hands-on manufacturing environment while contributing to the development of new products and prototype solutions.\nThis position offers opportunities to:\nWork directly with thermoforming prototype equipment and processes.\n\nCollaborate with engineering, production, quality, and tooling professionals.\n\nExpand your technical skills through cross-training and Pattern Shop projects.\n\nContribute to innovative prototype development and continuous improvement initiatives.\n\nApply Today!\nIf you are an experienced thermoforming professional with strong mechanical skills, a passion for problem-solving, and an interest in prototype development, we encourage you to apply!\nPlease Note: Previous hands-on thermoforming or vacuum-forming experience is required. Applicants without this experience will not meet the minimum qualifications for this position.\nJoin Peninsula Plastics and put your thermoforming expertise to work in a challenging, hands-on role with opportunities for continued professional growth!","description_format":"text","description_chars":7665,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":null,"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Health insurance","Life insurance","Professional development","Retirement plans"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Plastics & Polymers"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-15T10:18:45Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":72,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.805,"p_room":0.9,"age_days":14,"expected_fill_days":23,"reasons":["conf:3","win:mid"],"computed_at":"2026-10-28T05:59:10Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":56000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/peninsula-plastics-thermoforming-prototype-technician","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/peninsula-plastics-thermoforming-prototype-technician.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-28T17:48:25Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":24301,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-10-29T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":2513041},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=2513041"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fpeninsula-plastics-thermoforming-prototype-technician"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fpeninsula-plastics-thermoforming-prototype-technician"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fpeninsula-plastics-thermoforming-prototype-technician"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/peninsula-plastics-thermoforming-prototype-technician\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fpeninsula-plastics-thermoforming-prototype-technician"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":2608088}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"peninsulaplastics.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":2608088},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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