Applied Molding Engineer

About the Job
The HS Applied Technology Lab is LG Electronics' core R&D organization within the Home Appliance Solution Company (HS), where cutting-edge materials and manufacturing technologies are translated into commercially viable solutions for refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, and air conditioners.

The  Metal/Plastic Forming & Processing Technology Project Team  is responsible for innovating and optimizing the core manufacturing processes that give shape to LG's appliance components — from sheet metal stamping and forming to plastic injection molding and secondary processing. We bridge the gap between advanced material discovery, component design, and mass production.

The ideal candidate will join us as a Process Engineer to drive the next generation of forming and processing technologies that deliver lighter, stronger, more cost-effective, and sustainable components.

Responsibilities

Metal Forming Process Development

• Process Optimization: Design and optimize sheet metal stamping, bending, drawing, piercing, and assembly processes for appliance chassis, drums, baskets, and structural parts.
• Tooling & Die Development: Collaborate with internal tooling partners and die makers to develop new tooling strategies, including progressive dies, transfer presses, and fine-blanking tooling.
• Material Utilization: Evaluate and reduce material waste through nesting optimization, scrap minimization, and lightweight gauge optimization while maintaining structural integrity.
• Formability Analysis: Perform limitation diagram analysis (LDI / FEM simulation) to predict cracking, wrinkling, and earing in sheet metal processes; validate through physical testing.

Plastic Processing Process Development

• Injection Molding Optimization: Develop process windows for gate design, runner layout, cooling channel configuration, and mold flow analysis to achieve balanced fill, minimal warpage, and zero shorts.
• Intelligent Molding Systems: Leverage LG's proprietary intelligent injection molding systems — including real-time cavity pressure monitoring, AI-driven process control, and adaptive feedforward/feedback loops — to improve cycle time and first-pass yieldlgcorp.com +1.
• Mold Flow Simulation: Use Moldflow or equivalent software to simulate and optimize flow patterns, weld-line location, sink marks, shrinkage, and residual stress in complex molded parts.
• Material Compatibility: Evaluate thermoplastics (ABS, PP, PC/ABS, PA blends), reinforced composites, and recycled-content materials for formability, mold release, and post-processing compatibility.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the HS Material Application Technology Team to ensure material characteristics align with processing windows and product performance targets.
• Support DFM / DFA (Design for Manufacturing / Assembly) reviews with industrial and design engineers to reduce costs, improve manufacturability, and shorten time-to-market.
• Partner with Quality Engineering to define process capability studies (Cp/Cpk), Root Cause Analysis (8D/FMEA), and control plans for new programs.

Sustainability & Cost Innovation

• Reduce scrap rates and improve material yield (target: 21%+ productivity gain through intelligent process integration.
• Explore lightweight die casting, hot-stamping, and high-strength steel applications to reduce the weight of appliance structures without compromising durability.
• Evaluate biodegradable, bio-based, or recycled plastics for processing feasibility in injection molding, supporting LG's carbon-neutral and ESG.

Documentation & Specification

• Develop and update Process Specification Sheets, Control Plans, PFMEA, and Traveler Documents for manufacturing release.
• Maintain Material Master Data and Bill of Process documentation in PLM systems (Teamcenter)

Technical Requirements

 

 

·         M.Tech (Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field) ideally from reputed institutes (NITs / IITs).

·         3+ years of relevant experience in metal forming, plastic injection molding, or advanced manufacturing process engineering

·         Proficiency in CAE/FEA tools (Moldflow, AutoForm, PAM-STAMP, DEFORM, LS-DYNA); hands-on experience with process simulation and DOE (Design of Experiments) methodology; working knowledge of mold design and die construction

·         Familiarity with quality standards: IATF 16949, ISO 9001, GD&T (ASME Y14.5), AIAG Core Tools (APQP, FMEA, SPC, MSA)

·         Fluent in Business-level English; Korean language skills are a plus

 

 

 

Core Competencies and Working Attitude

 

• Technical Depth:  Deep understanding of material behavior during deformation, flow, and phase change — metal plasticity and polymer rheology.
• Problem Solving:  Analytical data-driven approach to identify root causes of process variation, surface defects, dimensional instability, and scrap generation.
• Systems Thinking : Ability to see the forming and processing workflow holistically — from raw material receipt through in-process quality gates to final assembly.
• Communication:  Clear documentation and presentation of complex technical findings to cross-functional audiences including design, quality, procurement, and manufacturing.
• Ownership:  Self-motivated with ability to manage multiple project streams simultaneously, driving each from concept through deployment.
• Innovation Mindset:  Curious about emerging technologies — additive manufacturing for tooling, self-healing materials, and cold spray metallurgy — and assessing their commercial viability.