Process Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Thermoforming Process Technician

Job Description

The Thermoforming Process Technician operates and maintains specialized thermoforming machinery used to produce high-end retail and medical packaging. This role involves pre-staging materials, setting up and running 1–2 machines, monitoring production quality, troubleshooting issues, and performing routine preventive maintenance. The technician ensures that all products meet visual and dimensional standards while maintaining a clean, safe, and organized work area and collaborating effectively with team members across shifts.

Responsibilities

• Operate thermoforming machines and related equipment to produce high-quality packaging for retail and medical applications.
• Pre-stage, set up, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot thermoforming machines for assigned production runs.
• Perform machine line setup and lineout, including configuring tooling, materials, and process parameters for production.
• Develop and adjust machine setup parameters and heat profiles to achieve optimal product quality and efficiency.
• Start up and shut down machinery according to established procedures to ensure safe and efficient operations.
• Monitor machines through visual and auditory inspection to identify mechanical or process issues during production.
• Take corrective action on machine and process issues, assist in problem solving, and notify appropriate personnel when needed.
• Perform in-process inspection of parts to ensure they meet visual standards of acceptance and conformance to specifications.
• Recognize product defects and make necessary adjustments to equipment and process settings to maintain product quality.
• Calculate and verify dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of tooling and equipment based on specifications.
• Use visual inspection and dimensional measuring tools to monitor product quality and verify conformance.
• Review, complete, and maintain required logs, check sheets, inspection sheets, and work orders accurately and on time.
• Perform pre- and post-production tool inspections and preparations, including tool installation and removal.
• Ensure all materials, tooling, and master tooling are correctly labeled, segregated, and properly stored or returned before and after production.
• Assist in overall maintenance of machines and equipment, including minor repairs and adjustments.
• Complete preventive maintenance on machines in accordance with manufacturer instructions and company procedures.
• Troubleshoot machine malfunctions and coordinate with maintenance or other personnel to arrange repairs when necessary.
• Keep workstations, machines, and surrounding areas clean and orderly by maintaining a high level of housekeeping and 5S on assigned lines and designated areas.
• Obtain and verify that correct stock and materials are used at all times and are available at the machine as required.
• Communicate job status, production issues, and machine conditions clearly to the next shift Process Technicians, Leads, and Supervisors during shift changes.
• Collaborate with operators, supervisors, and leads across shifts to ensure smooth transitions and consistent production performance.

Essential Skills

• Experience operating thermoforming, injection molding, or plastics processing equipment in a production environment.
• Demonstrated ability to set up, operate, and troubleshoot thermoforming or similar plastic forming machinery.
• Hands-on experience with production line setup, including tooling changes, lineout, and process adjustments.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to recognize mechanical issues through visual and auditory inspection.
• Ability to perform routine preventive maintenance and minor repairs on production machinery.
• Proficiency in identifying product defects and making process or equipment adjustments to maintain quality.
• Ability to calculate and verify dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances based on specifications.
• Skill in using visual inspection methods and dimensional measuring tools to monitor product quality.
• Ability to accurately complete and maintain logs, check sheets, inspection records, and work orders.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining visual standards of acceptance and conformance.
• Ability to follow manufacturer instructions and company procedures for machine operation and maintenance.
• Effective communication skills to relay job status and production issues across shifts and with supervisors.
• Capability to maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in accordance with 5S and housekeeping standards.
• High School Diploma or equivalent.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous thermoforming experience in a production environment is preferred.
• Experience in injection molding or plastics processing is highly beneficial.
• Experience with packaging production, particularly for retail or medical products, is an advantage.
• Familiarity with maintenance and repair practices for plastics processing equipment.
• Comfort working on multiple production lines or machines simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to respond quickly to equipment or process issues.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with operators, leads, and supervisors.
• Willingness to work overnight (3rd shift) and adapt to production demands.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package designed to support your well-being, growth, and long-term financial security. You can enjoy paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time, along with company-paid long-term and short-term disability, basic life insurance, and an employee assistance program. The organization invests in your development through tuition reimbursement and encourages engagement with an employee referral bonus program and a discretionary annual bonus program based on company performance. You will also benefit from a work boot allowance, multiple medical plan options with HSA or FSA, as well as dental and vision coverage and an FSA dependent care option. Additional optional supplemental life, AD&D, accident, and critical illness insurance are available for you and your eligible dependents. A 401(k) retirement plan with company match further supports your financial future, while the overall culture emphasizes safety, cleanliness, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment

This role is scheduled on 3rd shift, working Monday through Friday from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., providing a consistent overnight schedule. The facility is a very clean manufacturing environment with 18 thermoforming lines across two sides of the operation, including a dedicated area for medical customers where cleanliness and quality standards are especially critical. You will work around modern thermoforming equipment and related production tools in a setting that emphasizes organization, housekeeping, and 5S practices. The environment is structured, process-driven, and safety-focused, with clear procedures for machine operation, maintenance, and quality control.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bensenville, IL.

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $27.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Bensenville,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 31, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.

Company Description

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.