Production Technician

Job Title: Maching Operator

Job Description

The New Hire Utility role focuses on learning and supporting equipment operations while safely handling aluminum products. You start as a Utility employee and receive comprehensive training to operate machines, move materials, and support production across multiple departments. Over time, you progress into a permanent role within a specific department, contributing to quality, safety, and production goals in a unionized manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Learn to operate equipment associated with the extrusion department and tube mill, including press team operations for aluminum extrusion.

• Support machine operations by moving materials on and off machines using proper lifting techniques, hoists, and other material handling tools.

• Handle aluminum product safely while following standard operating procedures (SOPs), safe job practices, and all quality requirements.

• Assist machine operators in the extrusion or casting areas, including setup, operation support, and basic troubleshooting under guidance.

• Monitor production processes and product quality, perform inspections and quality checks, and ensure all quality objectives are consistently met.

• Report and review unusual conditions, equipment issues, and safety concerns with lead operators and supervisors promptly.

• Perform general production tasks such as packing, inspecting, assembly line work, and material movement as assigned.

• Participate actively in team-based work, communicating and coordinating with team members and management to meet daily production goals.

• Learn and follow union-related guidelines regarding shift movement, job bidding, and flexibility, regardless of union membership status.

• Remain flexible to work in any assigned role or department during the utility period, including machine operation, quality, packing, inspection, and general production support.

• Support inventory and material flow through the manufacturing process, ensuring raw materials and finished goods move efficiently through production.

• Use hand tools, tape measures, and other basic equipment to perform measurements, adjustments, and assembly tasks accurately.

• Maintain a clean and safe work area, including cleaning up grease, oil, and hydraulic fluids associated with metals manufacturing processes.

• Operate or learn to operate forklifts and overhead cranes as needed to move materials and support production operations.

• Adhere to all safety procedures and machine safety guidelines when working around large, complex, and sometimes robotic equipment.

• Work assigned 2nd or 3rd shift schedules, including extended shifts up to 12 hours and weekend work, to support production demands.

• Meet physical demands of the role, including frequent lifting over 15 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds with assistance, stepping on and off machinery, bending, pushing, and pulling heavy objects.

• Participate in ongoing training and cross-training opportunities to develop skills and prepare for progression into permanent roles within the extrusion department.

Essential Skills

• 1–2 years of experience in manufacturing, general labor, or production support in a production or material handling environment.

• Mechanical aptitude with the ability to understand machine operation and production process flow from raw materials through finished product.

• Prior experience in machine operation, machine or assembly work, or production line and assembly line environments.

• Ability to work safely around large manufacturing equipment, including press machines and complex machinery, following machine safety practices.

• Experience with general production tasks such as packaging, inspection, quality checks, and material handling.

• Basic proficiency using hand tools and tape measures for measurements, adjustments, and assembly-related tasks.

• Ability and willingness to learn forklift operation if not already experienced, and to work with overhead cranes and other material handling equipment.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills for documenting work, communicating with team members, and following written procedures.

• Capacity to work 2nd or 3rd shift and to perform extended shifts up to 12 hours, including regular weekend work as required.

• Ability to work in a union environment and follow union-related processes for shift movement, flexibility, and job bidding.

• Physical ability to frequently lift weights over 15 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds with assistance, step over obstacles, get on and off machinery, and bend, push, and pull heavy objects.

• Comfort working in a non-climate-controlled, loud manufacturing environment with exposure to grease, oil, and hydraulic fluids.

• Reliable work ethic, integrity, and a positive, “can do” attitude toward cross-training and learning new tasks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in a manufacturing environment with exposure to extrusion, metals manufacturing, or similar heavy industrial processes.

• Experience in production, assembly, general production, or material handling roles.

• Experience with quality control, quality assurance, and inspection in a production setting.

• Familiarity with inventory processes and production support activities.

• Previous experience operating forklifts, overhead cranes, or other motorized material handling equipment.

• Comfort working around a mix of new robotic equipment and older machinery, adapting to different technologies and processes.

• Ability to thrive in a team-oriented environment and contribute to shared production and quality goals.

• Willingness to participate in structured training programs and ongoing skill development to increase responsibilities and earning potential.

• Interest in long-term career progression within the extrusion department, including bidding into different roles over time.

Why Work Here?

You join a values-driven organization that emphasizes integrity, strong work ethic, and personal growth. The culture focuses on making every new hire a better person through meaningful work, comprehensive training, and support from experienced colleagues. Employees benefit from best-in-class orientation and ongoing job training that can increase base pay, along with annual pay increases and performance-based incentive bonuses. The company offers a competitive benefits package, including a 401(k) match, excellent low-cost medical coverage, company-paid dental and vision benefits, vacation eligibility after 90 days, and regular overtime opportunities. Personal protective equipment is provided, and the environment is designed to attract and develop talented people, giving them the tools and support to build successful, long-term careers.

Work Environment

The role is based in a metals manufacturing facility with a mix of large, complex equipment, including both brand-new robotic machinery and older machines. The environment is non-climate-controlled and can be loud due to ongoing production, with open and spacious areas but significant heat, especially during the summer. The work involves exposure to grease, oil, and hydraulic fluids, which must be regularly cleaned as part of the manufacturing process; candidates must be comfortable working around and with these substances. The extrusion department typically operates 8-hour shifts, but you may work 10-hour days and be expected to work 40–60 hours per week depending on production needs. There are three shifts (7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.), and you must be open to any shift, with current openings focused on 2nd and 3rd shift. Weekend work is common, with the possibility of working up to six days a week and having only one weekend off per month, though actual schedules may fluctuate and sometimes include only every other Saturday. The facility operates under union guidelines, which dictate shift assignments and job bidding, requiring flexibility. Personal protective equipment is provided, and you will work in and around motorized equipment, presses, and other heavy industrial machinery while adhering to strict safety and machine safety protocols.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of North Chesterfield, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.81 - $20.81/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in North Chesterfield,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 28, 2026.

About Aerotek

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.