Sheet Metal Helper

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Sheet Metal Helper

DAY Shift

Petaluma, CA

Job Description

This entry-level Sheet Metal Helper role supports the sheet metal fabrication department within a busy manufacturing facility. You will handle and process sheet metal components, assist with basic fabrication tasks, and help keep production moving safely and efficiently. The position is ideal for someone who wants a long-term career in manufacturing, is comfortable with physical work, and is eager to learn on the job.

Responsibilities

• Support the sheet metal fabrication department by handling and processing sheet metal parts in a covered outdoor area and inside the shop, splitting time approximately 50/50 between both environments.
• Move and position heavy pieces of sheet metal, regularly lifting up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 80–90 pounds with assistance from coworkers or equipment.
• Separate laser-cut parts from sheet metal panels using hammers, pry bars, and similar hand tools, ensuring parts are removed safely and efficiently.
• Stack and organize laser-cut parts after separation, maintaining neat, clearly labeled piles to support downstream operations.
• Perform basic mechanical drilling operations on metal parts, following instructions and using appropriate tools and equipment safely.
• Operate band saws to cut metal parts to specified sizes, ensuring accuracy and adherence to safety procedures.
• Deburr metal parts using files, sanders, bead blast cabinets, and grinders to remove burrs, sharp edges, and to texture surfaces as required.
• Work consistently in a repetitive, hands-on environment that can be dirty due to the nature of metal fabrication, while maintaining attention to safety and quality.
• Use company-provided personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, aprons, back supports, ear plugs, and gloves as required for each task.
• Communicate clearly in English with supervisors and coworkers to understand instructions, coordinate work, and contribute to a team-oriented environment.
• Maintain excellent attendance and punctuality, arriving on time for the scheduled shift and staying reliable day-to-day.
• Follow all safety guidelines and shop procedures to ensure a safe working environment for yourself and your team.

Essential Skills

• Ability to perform physically demanding work, including bending, squatting, and regularly lifting 50 pounds throughout the day.
• Capability to occasionally lift objects weighing 80–90 pounds with help from coworkers or mechanical assistance.
• Willingness to work in a role that is partially in a covered outdoor area and partially indoors, accepting cold conditions in winter and hot conditions in summer.
• Comfort with repetitive, dirty, hands-on work in a metal fabrication environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English to follow instructions and work safely.
• Strong reliability, with excellent attendance and punctuality.
• Desire for a long-term position and interest in building a career in manufacturing.
• Reliable transportation to consistently arrive on time for the scheduled shift.
• Team-oriented attitude and willingness to support coworkers and collaborate on tasks.
• Basic comfort using hand tools such as hammers, pry bars, files, and grinders, or willingness to learn under supervision.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Forklift certification is a plus and may support broader responsibilities in the shop.
• Interest in learning additional sheet metal skills such as forming, laser cutting, and machine operation after gaining experience.
• Openness to union membership and working within a unionized environment with established pay structures and benefits.
• Comfort working in a structured production environment with established processes and quality standards.

Why Work Here?

You will join a tight-knit team where many employees have built careers lasting 15 years or more, often staying until retirement. The workplace offers the stability of a union environment with strong benefits, including medical, dental, vision coverage, retirement plans, sick pay, paid vacation, and holidays. A significant portion of medical premiums is covered, and union membership provides access to lower premiums and a self-funded pension plan, while the company offers an additional retirement plan. Once you join the union, you can expect regular annual raises and long-term financial security through retirement benefits. The organization values loyalty, community, and employee growth, providing opportunities to learn advanced sheet metal skills and expand your capabilities over time.

Work Environment

The standard schedule is Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with no overtime expected, providing consistent daytime hours. The sheet metal fabrication department operates partly in a covered outdoor area and partly inside the shop, with approximately half of the work performed in each setting. The outdoor area is under a large canopy, with fans used in the summer and propane heaters in the winter to help manage temperature, but you should still expect hot conditions in summer and cold conditions in winter. The shop environment is greasy and dirty due to the nature of machining, welding, and metal fabrication, but it is well organized and sectioned, with welders in one area and the sheet metal team in another. The work is physically demanding and repetitive, involving frequent lifting, bending, and handling of heavy metal parts. Safety equipment such as safety glasses, aprons, back supports, ear plugs, and gloves is provided, and you are expected to use it consistently. You must supply your own work boots, with steel-toe boots recommended though not required. The environment emphasizes safety, organization, teamwork, and steady production in a unionized manufacturing setting.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Petaluma, CA.

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $22.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Petaluma,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 22, 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.