Research Specialist; Tool Design

Research Specialist (Tool Design)

Collaborate with innovative 3

Mers around the world. This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

• Lead the research and development of innovative injection mold designs and tooling approaches that enable new product concepts, advanced materials, and emerging manufacturing methods.
• Implement best practices and new technologies in mold design, rapid prototyping, and tooling fabrication to accelerate design validation, reduce development cycles, evaluate mold performance, part quality, and manufacturability during early product development phases.
• Determine optimal mold construction methods, gating and cooling strategies, and material selections through simulation, data analysis, and empirical testing.
• Support cross‑functional R&D initiatives by providing technical expertise in polymer behavior, mold flow analysis, and design for manufacturability (DFM).
• Support new product introductions by guiding teams through prototype‑to‑production transitions and tooling qualification activities.

Minimum qualifications:

• Associate’s degree or higher (completed and verified before start) from an accredited institution.
• 15 years of molding/design for manufacturing (DFM) industry experience in a private, public, government or military environment.

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed:

• Degree focused in plastics, tooling, or engineering from an accredited institution.
• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field from an accredited institution.
• Proficiency in tool making, tool design, and machining.
• Experience in mechanical design for products, including design of complex components, assemblies, and mechanisms.
• Proficiency in applying mechanical design principles to ensure structural integrity, dimensional accuracy, and manufacturability of product components.
• Expertise in CAD part/product design.
• Experience in plastic molding simulation (e.g., Moldflow or Moldex3D).
• Collaborative and technically curious innovator who advances plastic molding research through exploration of new materials, processes, and technologies.
• Competence in Microsoft Office tools (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• On‑site at 3M Center in Woodbury, MN (minimum four days a week).

• Travel may include up to 10% domestic/international.
• Relocation may be authorized.

Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status).

Expected compensation range: $141,150 - $172,517 (base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible). Benefits include Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits. Additional information is available at

Applicants must provide education and work history either by uploading a resume or entering the information directly into the application fields.

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 01/22/2026 to 02/21/2026 or until filled.