Production Technician

Job Title: New Hire Utility – Extrusion Department

Job Description

This role offers a hands-on opportunity to learn and operate equipment in an aluminum extrusion and tube mill environment while supporting production, quality, and material handling across multiple departments. As a New Hire Utility employee, you will start in a generalist position, receive extensive training on various machines and processes, and eventually move into a specific department role based on internal bidding and progression. You will work in a unionized, high-volume manufacturing facility, supporting safe operations, meeting quality standards, and contributing to daily production goals.

Responsibilities

• Learn to operate equipment associated with aluminum extrusion and tube mill operations, including press and related machinery.
• Support machine operators by assisting with setup, operation, and basic troubleshooting of extrusion and casting equipment.
• Move materials on and off machines using proper lifting techniques, hoists, and other material handling equipment as trained.
• Perform general utility duties including machine operating, quality checks, packing, inspecting, and production support across multiple departments.
• Ensure all work meets established quality objectives and standards, including performing inspections and quality control checks on products.
• Report and review any unusual conditions, equipment issues, or quality concerns with lead operators or supervisors promptly.
• Work closely with team members and leadership to meet daily production goals in assigned areas.
• Follow all safe job practices, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and plant safety rules at all times.
• Perform inventory-related tasks and production support activities as needed on the production and assembly lines.
• Use basic measuring tools, such as tape measures, to verify dimensions and ensure products meet specifications.
• Assist with cleaning and maintaining equipment and work areas, including managing grease, oil, and other hydraulic fluids used in the manufacturing process.
• Operate or learn to operate forklifts and overhead cranes (as trained) to move materials safely and efficiently.
• Participate in cross-training across departments and remain flexible to perform any role assigned within the scope of the utility position.
• Maintain accurate and clear documentation and records related to production, quality, and job tasks as required.
• Adhere to union-related guidelines regarding shift movement, job bidding, and flexibility, whether or not you are a union member.
• Work scheduled 2nd or 3rd shifts, including overtime, weekends, and extended shifts up to 12 hours as needed to support production demands.
• Perform physically demanding tasks such as frequent lifting over 15 pounds and assisted lifting up to 100 pounds, stepping on and off machinery, bending, pushing, and pulling heavy objects.
• Support continuous improvement by embracing training opportunities, learning new processes, and contributing to a positive team environment.

Essential Skills

• 1–2 years of experience in manufacturing, general labor, production support, or a similar production or material handling environment.
• Experience in production, assembly, or working on an assembly or production line.
• Basic machine operation experience or strong mechanical aptitude with a willingness to learn complex equipment.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and process flow of raw materials through production.
• Experience with or exposure to quality control, quality checks, inspection, or quality assurance activities.
• Familiarity with machine safety practices and safe operation of manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to use hand tools and basic measuring tools, including tape measures, for production and inspection tasks.
• Willingness and ability to learn forklift operation if not already experienced.
• Ability and willingness to work 2nd or 3rd shift and to work up to 12-hour shifts, including weekends.
• Ability to work 40–60 hours per week, including overtime, as production needs fluctuate.
• Capability to frequently lift more than 15 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• Ability to step over obstacles, get on and off machinery, and work around motorized equipment safely.
• Ability to bend, push, and pull objects in excess of 15 pounds and pull objects up to 100 pounds.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for documentation and effective teamwork.
• Comfort working in a union environment and adhering to union-driven shift and job bidding processes.
• A positive, “can-do” attitude toward cross-training and taking on new responsibilities.
• Demonstrated strong work ethic, reliability, and integrity.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous machine operation or machine/assembly experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience in general production, packaging, or press machine operation.
• Prior experience operating forklifts or overhead cranes.
• Experience in material handling and inventory-related tasks.
• Exposure to robotic or automated equipment as well as older, legacy machinery.
• Comfort working with grease, oil, and hydraulic fluids as part of metals manufacturing processes.
• Experience working in non-climate-controlled, heavy industrial environments.
• Ability to adapt quickly to different departments and roles as needed.
• Interest in long-term career progression within an extrusion or metals manufacturing environment.

Why Work Here?

You will join a values-driven organization that emphasizes integrity, strong work ethic, and a shared commitment to solving complex problems for customers. The company invests heavily in its people, offering best-in-class new hire orientation and training, along with ongoing job training opportunities that can increase your base pay as you develop new skills. You will benefit from incentive bonuses tied to plant performance, annual pay increases, a company match for 401(k), and comprehensive, low-cost medical coverage with company-paid dental and vision benefits. Vacation eligibility begins after 90 days of consecutive employment, and overtime opportunities allow you to significantly enhance your earnings. Personal protective equipment is provided, and the culture focuses on making every new hire a better person through meaningful work, support, and development. The organization prides itself on creating an environment that attracts great people, provides the tools and training they need, and helps them build successful, long-term careers.

Work Environment

This role is based in a non-climate-controlled manufacturing facility that can become very hot, especially during the summer months. The environment can be loud due to large and complex machinery, though the plant is generally open and spacious in many areas. The extrusion department typically operates 8-hour shifts, but employees may work 10-hour days and can be expected to work as much as 6 days per week, with schedules fluctuating based on production needs. Current openings are on 2nd shift (approximately 3:00 p.m.–11:00 p.m.) and 3rd shift (approximately 11:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m.), and candidates must remain open to any shift as union rules and job bidding determine shift assignments over time. You should expect to work 40–60 hours per week, including overtime and weekends, with only occasional weekends off depending on production demands. The facility contains a mix of brand-new robotic equipment and older machinery, and the process of metals manufacturing requires the regular use of lubricants such as grease, oil, and hydraulic fluids, which must be cleaned up as part of normal operations. Employees work around motorized equipment and large presses, and must wear appropriate personal protective equipment, which the company provides, and follow all safety and dress guidelines suitable for a heavy industrial environment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of North Chesterfield, VA.

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $23.00/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 North Chesterfield,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 8, 2026.

About Aerotek

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.