Set Up II (PMT)

Requisition ID: 73688

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reported approximately $16 billion in annual net sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas - 41,000 employees, and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

Position Overview

The Set up II (PMT) is responsible for the complete end-to-end changeover, technical configuration, process stabilization, and basic troubleshooting of plastic injection molding machines and related auxiliary equipment.

Combining mechanical precision with analytical problem-solving, this role retrieves tooling, installs complex molds across diverse press tonnages, synchronizes auxiliary automation, and fine-tunes process parameters (temperatures, pressures, cycle times) to ensure defect-free first-piece approval and continuous run efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Mold Installation, Teardown & Material Handling

• Safely install and pull molds from injection molding presses ranging from small to high tonnages using clamps, bolts, or magnetic platens.

• Stage, stage out, and transport tooling, mold components, and equipment using overhead cranes, hoists, powered industrial lift trucks (fork trucks), and heavy mold carts.

• Complete full line changeovers by removing prior setups, purging barrels, cleaning and greasing tooling, and tagging/returning all tools and molds to dedicated storage bays.

Technical Hookups & Auxiliary Automation Setup

• Connect and verify all mechanical interfaces: multi-zone cooling water lines, hydraulic cores, pneumatic knockouts, and electrical connections (limit switches, hot runner cables).

• Configure and synchronize auxiliary floor equipment, including thermolators (mold temperature controllers), resin dryers, material hoppers, vacuum loading systems, granulators, part conveyors, and robotic end-of-arm tooling (EOAT).

• Handle engineering-grade resins, colorants, mold lubricants, solvents, and purging compounds in compliance with standard operating procedures.

Process Stabilization & First-Piece Quality

• Retrieve and program machine controller recipes from master setup sheets; independently calculate and adjust parameters including pack/hold pressures, barrel zone temperatures, injection speeds, and clamp tonnage.

• Troubleshoot visual and structural defects (e.g., flash, short shots, splay, sink marks, warpage) to bring cycles to stabilized, repeatable run conditions.

• Coordinate directly with Quality Assurance/QPA to inspect initial production parts against technical drawings and dimensional tolerances using precision instruments (calipers, micrometers, depth gauges) before signing off for full production.

Equipment Reliability, Safety & Team Coordination

• Perform pre-flight inspections on safety interlocks, gate switches, and E-stops; strictly enforce Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.

• Practice preventative and "at-press" maintenance under TPM standards, flagging machine deviations, hydraulic leaks, or tooling wear to supervisors and tooling engineers.

• Provide intermittent work guidance, setup instructions, and standard operating training to machine operators to maintain line continuity.

• Maintain clean work cells and staging areas in accordance with 5S and WCM frameworks.

Qualifications & Skills

Minimum Requirements

• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

• Experience: 2+ years of hands-on experience in a plastic injection molding environment, specifically focused on mold setting, changeovers, and basic process troubleshooting.

• Technical Skills:

  • Demonstrated ability to read and interpret setup sheets, part blueprints, inspection reports, and hydraulic/pneumatic connection schematics.
  • Working math capability: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division involving fractions and decimals.
  • Familiarity with precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, depth gauges).

• Safety & Certifications: Ability to obtain or hold current certifications in Overhead Crane operation, Forklift/PVO, and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO).

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate Degree in a technical or industrial discipline, or formal vocational/trade school coursework in plastics processing, robotics, or industrial maintenance.

• Direct experience with RJG Scientific Molding principles, PLC/machine control navigation, or robot teach pendant setup.

• Root-cause troubleshooting experience (5-Why, Fishbone) applied to machine downtime or defective parts.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Mobility & Strength: Continuous standing/walking on concrete surfaces for 8- to 12-hour shifts. Frequent lifting and carrying of items weighing 5 to 35 lbs; occasional lifting and pushing/pulling of heavy components up to 50–60 lbs.

• Dexterity & Agility: High manual dexterity for connecting small fittings, threaded bolts, and electrical connectors. Frequent climbing of stairs and ladders, bending, squatting, and reaching into tight press tie-bar envelopes.

• Environment: Industrial production floor subject to elevated temperatures near heated barrels and platens, moving mechanical components, and moderate-to-high noise levels (PPE provided and required).

Why You Should Apply

Competitive Pay

Starting Pay Scale: $28.75

Shift Schedules & Work-Life Balance

• Flexible Shift Options: Multiple shift opportunities across operations, including 2nd Shift and 3rd Shift

• Paid Time Off (PTO): Earn up to 120 hours of PTO in your first year (prorated based on your start date).

• Paid Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.

• Overtime Potential: Opportunities for voluntary overtime to boost your weekly earnings.

Day-One Benefits & Financial Security

• Immediate Benefits Coverage: Access to comprehensive healthcare (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug plans) starting on your first day on the job—no waiting period.

• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Secure your future with company-matched 401(k) retirement savings and life insurance coverage.

• Whirlpool Appliance Discounts: Exclusive employee discounts across Whirlpool Corporation’s full suite of home appliance brands.

Workplace Safety, Equipment & Environment

• Safety Shoe Allowance Program: Company-provided annual safety shoe credit to order safety footwear with zero out-of-pocket cost for standard models.

• Team-Focused Dynamic: Work in a highly collaborative, supportive plant culture centered on continuous improvement and mutual success.

Growth & Education Support

• Tuition Reimbursement: Take advantage of company-funded tuition assistance for technical training, certifications, and degree programs.

• Career Advancement Pathways: Structured internal bidding and advancement into technical, leadership, quality auditing, and skilled trade positions.

Connect with us and learn more about Whirlpool Corporation

See what it's like to work at Whirlpool by visiting Whirlpool Careers. Additional information about the company can be found on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.