Production Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Production Associate – Jewelry Polisher

Job Description

This role focuses on polishing and finishing fine jewelry pieces made from precious metals such as silver, gold, and platinum. You work closely with bench jewelers to refine gemstones and metal components, using both electronic and hand tools to remove dull coatings, scratches, and imperfections. Through careful polishing and finishing techniques, you enhance the shine, detail, and overall appearance of each piece, ensuring that designs are crisp, attractive, and ready for customers.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with bench jewelers to reform gemstones and precious metals into finished jewelry pieces.
• Use a variety of electronic and hand tools to remove dull coatings, scratches, and surface imperfections from metal jewelry made of silver, gold, and platinum.
• Detach rough cuts of jewels from their metal settings and prepare pieces for further finishing processes.
• Place jewelry frames into finishing machines to perform rough finishing prior to detailed hand polishing.
• Buff jewelry surfaces with progressively finer abrasives to achieve a high-quality shine and smooth, even finish.
• Ensure that polishing enhances the visibility and clarity of the jewelry design, making details more noticeable and appealing.
• Perform detailed assembly and inspection work on small jewelry components to confirm quality and consistency.
• Use precision measuring tools and techniques to verify that pieces meet required specifications and standards.
• Maintain, clean, and inspect polishing equipment, hand tools, and machinery on a regular basis to ensure safe and accurate operation.
• Identify and correct minor defects or inconsistencies in the finish through careful rework and polishing.
• Follow established manufacturing, quality inspection, and production procedures to meet daily output and quality goals.
• Handle small parts and delicate components with fine motor skills and attention to detail during assembly and polishing.
• Support plating, stone setting, soldering, and related manufacturing processes as needed within the production environment.
• Work as part of a team-oriented manufacturing group, communicating effectively with colleagues and supervisors to coordinate workflow.
• Adhere to all facility security policies, including restrictions on personal items and compliance with metal detector screening when entering and leaving production areas.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience or strong aptitude in jewelry polishing, including working with silver, gold, and platinum pieces.
• Ability to use electronic and hand tools for polishing, buffing, and finishing metal surfaces.
• Fine motor skills and steady hand-eye coordination for handling small parts and detailed work.
• Experience or familiarity with stone setting, plating, polishing, and jewelry manufacturing processes.
• Skill in small parts assembly, hand assembly, and assembly inspection within a manufacturing environment.
• Capability to perform precision work using measuring tools to verify dimensions and quality.
• Understanding of production, manufacturing, and quality inspection procedures.
• Ability to perform soldering and machine operator assembly tasks related to jewelry manufacturing.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality, visually appealing finished products.
• Willingness to follow strict security and safety protocols in a controlled manufacturing facility.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Vocational training or coursework in jewelry crafting from a technical school is beneficial.
• Certified Technician designation from a recognized jewelry industry organization is a plus and may be considered equivalent to approximately one year of experience.
• Interest in progressing through advanced certification levels such as Certified and Master Technician to expand responsibilities and skills.
• Previous experience in jewelry manufacturing, small parts manufacturing, or precision assembly environments is advantageous.
• Comfort working with detailed assembly, inspection, and quality-focused tasks.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team-oriented production group and contribute to a positive workplace culture.

Why Work Here?

You join a well-established manufacturing team where employees tend to stay long term because they genuinely appreciate the work environment and culture. Many associates have been with the organization for over 15 years, creating a stable, welcoming atmosphere for new team members. This opportunity allows you to learn and grow in a specialized trade while working on products that commemorate meaningful milestones and achievements. You benefit from a supportive, team-focused environment that values retention, skill development, and pride in craftsmanship.

Work Environment

You work in a clean, small-parts manufacturing environment focused on detailed assembly and inspection of fine jewelry. The role follows a first shift schedule, Monday through Friday, from 6:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Depending on the department, your day involves a combination of sitting and standing while performing precision tasks. The culture is team-oriented, with long employee tenure and strong retention that contribute to a supportive atmosphere. For security and safety reasons, cell phones are prohibited in production areas, and jewelry or other valuables are not allowed while working. All employees pass through metal detectors when entering and leaving the facility, following security procedures similar to airport screening.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Warwick, RI.

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $19.00/hr.

This is a fully onsite position in Warwick,RI.

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.