Water Jet Operator

Job Title: Water Jet Operator
Job Description
This role involves setting up and operating a water jet machine based on blueprints and instructions to produce high-quality fabricated parts. You will prepare and run jobs, deburr finished components, maintain equipment and inventory organization, and contribute to a safe and clean shop environment while supporting production with accurate and efficient water jet operations.
Responsibilities

• Set up and operate water jet equipment using blueprints and other technical documentation to produce parts to specification.
• Run jobs on the water jet, monitor cutting operations, and adjust settings to ensure accuracy and quality.
• Deburr and finish parts after cutting to meet required surface and dimensional standards.
• Prepare files for water jet programming from various sources, including prints, CAD files, and verbal instructions.
• Plan and set up jobs for the water jet, including material selection, nesting, and scheduling to maximize efficiency.
• Maintain organization of job orders and material inventory, ensuring parts and materials are clearly labeled and stored.
• Troubleshoot issues with the water jet and related equipment, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Perform minor repairs and preventive maintenance on machinery to keep equipment running reliably and safely.
• Keep the work area clean, organized, and compliant with safety guidelines.
• Safely operate forklifts and overhead hoists to move materials and parts as needed.
• Collaborate with machinists, welders, fabricators, and mechanics to coordinate workflows and support production needs.
• Follow all shop procedures and quality standards, and complete other duties as assigned to support the team.

Essential Skills

• 3-5 years of experience setting up and operating a water jet in a fabrication or machining environment.
• Strong blueprint reading skills with the ability to interpret dimensions, tolerances, and material specifications.
• Hands-on experience with deburring and finishing metal parts after cutting or fabrication.
• Mechanical aptitude and practical experience troubleshooting machinery and equipment issues.
• Ability to perform minor preventive maintenance tasks on machinery to maintain optimal performance.
• Familiarity with CAD software and basic understanding of water jet programming workflows.
• Experience operating forklifts and overhead hoists safely in a shop environment.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills for managing job orders and material inventory.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a team of machinists, welders, fabricators, and mechanics.
• Commitment to maintaining a clean, safe, and orderly work area.

Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Frankfort, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $30.00/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)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Frankfort,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 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.