Extrusion Machine Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Extrusion Machine Operator

Job Description

This role operates and maintains plastic extrusion machinery in a high-volume production environment. You set up, run, and troubleshoot extrusion lines, support related molding operations, and ensure safe, efficient, and continuous production while maintaining a clean and organized work area.

Responsibilities

• Operate with a strong safety mindset at all times, following all safety procedures and guidelines.
• Set up, operate, and maintain plastic extrusion machinery according to production orders, trials, and sample requirements.
• Maintain continuous machine operations by following production directions and quickly addressing issues to minimize downtime.
• Monitor process conditions, equipment performance, and control systems, including software used to run extrusion lines.
• Move materials, finished products, and equipment using a forklift in a safe and efficient manner.
• Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on machines, tools, and related equipment to keep lines running smoothly.
• Maintain overall cleanliness and organization of the extrusion equipment and surrounding production area.
• Obtain required materials, components, and supplies before and during production runs and prior to changeovers.
• Notify appropriate personnel when material, component, or spare part inventories are low or require replenishment.
• Use respirators as required and follow all related safety and hygiene protocols.
• Lift and move boxes, compounds, and other materials up to 50 lbs continuously throughout the shift.
• Support general production activities, including basic manual labor tasks related to construction, landscaping-type work, and other physical duties as needed.
• Assist with blow molding and injection molding processes as needed to support overall production.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support safe, efficient, and high-quality production.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated experience with plastic extrusion operations.
• Experience with injection molding processes.
• Experience with blow molding processes.
• Ability to safely operate extrusion machines and related production equipment.
• Ability to safely operate a forklift to move materials and equipment.
• Comfort working in a physically demanding role that requires continuous lifting of up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to use a respirator in accordance with safety requirements.
• Strong safety mindset and commitment to following all safety procedures.
• Ability to work effectively in production environments that involve manual labor, lifting, and repetitive tasks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in general production, manufacturing, or similar environments.
• Experience in construction, landscaping, or other manual labor roles that involve physical work.
• Familiarity with compounding and handling plastic materials.
• Comfort working with injection molding machines and blow molding equipment.
• Ability to work on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift, depending on production needs.
• Willingness to perform both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance tasks on machines and tools.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from a comprehensive total rewards package that supports long-term financial security and work-life balance. The organization offers competitive pay, an incentive bonus plan, and robust benefits including medical, dental, vision, company-paid life insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage, along with flexible spending accounts and a strong 401(k) matching program. Team members enjoy generous paid time off and holiday programs, annual raises, and performance-based bonuses tied to days of pay. There is significant opportunity to increase earnings through overtime, and the facility fosters a close-knit culture with a stable workforce and multiple shifts that support flexibility.

Work Environment

The role is based in a busy manufacturing facility with approximately 100 employees, including about 50 in production across three shifts. The work environment is dirty and can be hot during the summer months. Respirator use is required for roughly half of the time on the job, and the position involves continuous lifting of up to 50 lbs. You will work with extrusion machines and related molding equipment in an industrial setting that emphasizes safety, reliability, and teamwork. The facility operates 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shifts, offering around-the-clock production and frequent opportunities for overtime.

This is a Permanent position based out of Hamilton, NJ.

The pay range for this position is $50000.00 - $70000.00/yr.

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.

ob Title: Extrusion Machine OperatorJob DescriptionThis role operates and maintains plastic extrusion equipment in a high-volume production environment. You will set up and run extrusion lines, monitor process conditions, perform routine maintenance, and support material handling to ensure safe, efficient, and continuous operations.ResponsibilitiesWork with a strong safety mindset and follow all safety procedures, recognizing that safe operation is a top priority.Set up, operate, and maintain plastic extrusion machinery according to production requirements.Maintain continuous machine operations by following directions for production orders, trials, samples, and troubleshooting activities.Monitor process conditions, equipment performance, and control systems, including production software used to run extrusion lines.Operate a forklift to move raw materials, finished goods, and equipment safely within the facility.Perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance on machines, tools, and related equipment to minimize downtime.Maintain overall cleanliness and organization of the extrusion equipment and surrounding production area.Obtain and stage required materials before and during production runs and prior to changeovers to ensure uninterrupted operation.Monitor material and parts inventory levels and promptly notify appropriate personnel of low stock or replenishment needs.Use a respirator as required during production tasks and follow all related safety and fit requirements.Lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds continuously throughout the shift as part of regular production duties.Perform other related duties as assigned to support production and overall plant operations.Essential SkillsExperience operating plastic extrusion machinery in a production environment.Plastic extrusion experience with the ability to set up and troubleshoot extrusion lines.Injection molding experience in a manufacturing or production setting.Blow molding experience and familiarity with blow molding processes.Ability to operate an extrusion machine and related production equipment.Capability to work in a physically demanding role, including continuous lifting of up to 50 pounds.Ability to work safely in a hot, dirty industrial environment while wearing a respirator for a significant portion of the shift.Experience in general production or manufacturing environments.Comfort working 2nd or 3rd shift as required by production needs.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience with injection molding machines and blow molding equipment.Construction, landscaping, manual labor, or other physically demanding work.Experience with compounding or working with plastic compounds.Experience in roles involving lifting boxes, production, or general labor.Familiarity with respirator use in a production or industrial setting.Experience working in plastic production environments.Why Work Here?You join a stable organization that offers a competitive total rewards package, including an incentive bonus plan and comprehensive benefits. Employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, company-paid life insurance, and long-term and short-term disability programs, along with flexible spending accounts and a strong 401(k) matching program. The workplace provides generous paid time off and holiday benefits, regular annual raises, and an annual bonus typically equal to several days of pay. There are opportunities to earn additional income through overtime, and employees are automatically enrolled in a 401(k) plan upon becoming permanent, with access to a robust health benefits package. The culture emphasizes teamwork and a close-knit environment within a relatively small workforce, offering room for growth and strong earning potential.Work EnvironmentThis is a physically demanding, industrial production environment that can be dirty and hot, especially during the summer months. Production operates across three shifts, with 2nd and 3rd shifts available. The facility uses extrusion machines and related plastics processing equipment, and you will work around plastic materials and compounds. Respirator use is required for approximately half of the shift, and you must be comfortable wearing this protective equipment. The role involves continuous lifting of up to 50 pounds and frequent movement of materials, sometimes using a forklift. The production team consists of about 50 employees across three shifts within a facility of around 100 employees overall, fostering a close-knit, hands-on work culture.

This is a fully onsite position in Hamilton,NJ.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 28, 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.