Production Operator - 1st Shift

Production Operator - 1st Shift

Join the Molex Aerospace & Defense Sector (ADS) manufacturing team as a Production Operator. In this role you will deliver defect-free product by applying disciplined workmanship, following regulated processes, and helping drive continual improvement in a safety- and quality-focused environment.

The hours for this position are Monday - Friday, 6am - 2:30pm.

You will be part of a cross-functional production team that partners closely with Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to meet demanding customer requirements (AS9100, ITAR). The team values precision, traceability, and continuous improvement while operating in a controlled, high-reliability manufacturing environment.

• Operate production and manufacturing equipment according to work instructions and process requirements.
• Load materials, monitor machine performance, and make basic adjustments as required.
• Maintain full traceability and accurate documentation for all work, ensuring compliance with AS9100, ITAR/DFARS, and customer-specific requirements.
• Apply disciplined assembly techniques (crimp, solder, splice, potting, conformal coating, heat-shrink) to deliver repeatable, auditable results.
• Use inspection and test methods (visual, dimensional, electrical testing) to verify integrity and collaborate with Quality to resolve nonconformances.
• Contribute ideas and participate in continuous improvement activities (5S, Kaizen, process simplification) to improve output, reduce defects, and shorten lead time.
• Communicate proactively with Leads, Engineers, and Inspectors to escalate issues, implement corrective actions, and support training for newer team members.

• High school diploma or GED.
• 1+ years of hands-on manufacturing or assembly experience (electronics, interconnect, or cable harness preferred).
• Able to read and follow engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and written work instructions; basic measurement and arithmetic skills.
• Eligible to work on ITAR-controlled programs (U.S. person status if required) and able to pass background checks and drug screening.
• Able to stand for extended periods, perform fine-motor tasks, and occasionally lift up to 30–50 lbs per site policy.

• IPC-A-610 certification (or equivalent) and/or J-STD-001 soldering certification.
• Direct experience with cable harness assembly, crimp tooling, crimp press qualification, and harness test equipment (continuity, hi-pot).
• Familiarity with AS9100/FAI (AS9102) requirements and aerospace/defense quality systems.
• Experience working in ESD-controlled or other controlled-environment manufacturing areas and using microscopes/video inspection systems.
• Demonstrated participation in Lean/continuous improvement projects (Kaizen events, 5S implementations, productivity improvements).

For this role, we anticipate paying $17.00/hr. - $19.00/hr. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

As a Koch company, Molex is a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect components, driving innovation in electronics and supporting industries from automotive to health care and consumer to data communications. The thousands of innovators who work for Molex have made us a global electronics leader. Our experienced people, groundbreaking products and leading-edge technologies help us deliver a wider array of solutions to more markets than ever before.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.