Material Handler I

Light Industrial/Manufacturing Material Handler I Laporte, IN Posted: 8/28/2026 Job Description Job ID#: 225235 Job Category: Light Industrial/Manufacturing Position Type: Associate - W2 Shift: 2 PDS Defense, Inc. is seeking a Material Handler I, in Laporte, IN. Job Description Work as a team member, under general supervision to remove, clean, cut and verify castings in the post cast area. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Must be able to read and interpret Product Criteria (PC) and Activity Instructions (AI). Must be able to function as a member of a team and be able to work under general supervision. Must be able to work and function in a fast-paced environment. Basic knowledge of computers. Must be able to maintain expected quality levels. Lifting – maximum 35 pounds. Long periods of standing. Push/Pull/Twisting. Basic knowledge of computer hardware and software applications. Vision Standards. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES A fulltime Post Cast operator will be able to proficiently perform a minimum of 3 of the following plus any other work-related duties as assigned: Knockout. Low Temp / Autoclave. Cutoff/ Grinding / CNC / Waterblast / Revert Processing. Sandblast/ Expediting/ Vibratory. Acid Etch. Primary Inspection. Employees are expected to work overtime as needed. Job Specifications Education: A minimum of a High School diploma or GED equivalency is required. Skills and Abilities: Lifting, reading, fork lift driving. Understanding of Computers (basic hardware and software). Use of hand tools. Mechanical aptitude. Team concept orientation. Vision standards. Capable of doing multiple tasks. Accurate labor reporting. Verify quality of work (work tolerance, recognize defects). Remove excess gating. Calibrated measurements of chemicals. Ability to become a certified operator (ex: autoclave, etch, alloy verification). Experience: Working knowledge of HLC products preferred. Chemical usage preferred. Manufacturing equipment usage preferred. Team concept. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Occasional bending, reaching, pushing and pulling when retrieving and moving various items. Lifting approximately 50% of the time. Typically, assistance would be provided for weights exceeding 35 pounds. Good manual dexterity Position may require more than eight hours daily and more than five days weekly to complete work assignments. Squatting / crouching when retrieving stored items from lower shelves and file cabinets, making equipment / product inspections, etc. Standing 80% of the time. Visual requirements for this position are close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Chemical related jobs require wearing a chemical suit 90% of the shift; this also includes possibly wearing hard hat, gloves, sleeves and a long coat. Clean work areas and maintain a clean work environment; perform 5S cleaning activities as required. Equipment Used: Cutoff Saw. Grinding equipment. CNC equipment. Hand tools. Blast equipment. Chemical bath equipment. Air arc/plasma cut. Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are performed in a manufacturing setting where compliance with applicable safety rules is required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to work near moving mechanical parts and exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moderate to severe dust (75% of the time), corrosive chemicals, and some degree of extreme heat during summer months. The noise level is moderate. Contacts: Internal: This position interfaces routinely with all HLC personnel. External: N/A Supervision: This position supervises no other. EHS Requirements Expected to assist in the implementation of EHS Values and policy statements and accompanying principals. Comply with all department, facility, corporate and regulatory EHS regulations. Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE). Report all job related illness and injuries (Per Employee Handbook). Report all safety, health and environmental concerns to your supervisor in a timely manner. Attend all EHS training. Quality Statement The products we manufacture are used in important industries - transporting goods and people; the defense of our country; critical energy infrastructure for hospitals and public safety. Livelihoods and lives depend upon the products we manufacture. What we do as an organization is important and the first, and best, “line of defense” against non-conforming products escaping to our customers is you. A simple message: don't take it, don't make it, and don't pass it. Post Cast Operator – Add-a-skills: Etch: This is a certified position that will be qualified by the Etch Process Owner. The operator will be qualified to process product, interpret grain size, evaluate to applicable Product Criteria and report results. This position will include, but not be limited to, the following qualifications/duties: Assure that product is properly processed to applicable etch instruction. Read, interpret, and evaluate grain with reference to applicable quality documents. Perform system capability checks specified in the Etch instruction. Set up equipment, when applicable. Report and maintain records of Etch inspection results. Etch Operator training requirements: The minimum formal or equivalent training requirements will be five (5) hours. On-the-job training will be a minimum of eighty (80) hours. For more information on Etch Certification requirements, please reference AI 415.1.19 JOB IMPACT Contribution of Job This position contributes to the overall performance and profitability of the company through improving techniques and processes. This position is also responsible for contributing to department and company metrics, such as LU and PVA. Benefits offered to vary by the contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter. Job Requirements Minimum Security Clearance: No Clearance Military connected talent encouraged to apply. VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit or The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable: The California Fair Chance Act Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled #J-18808-Ljbffr