Extrusion Machine Operator

Job Title: Extrusion Machine Operator

Job Description

This 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.

Responsibilities

• Work 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 Skills

• Experience 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 & Qualifications

• Experience 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 Environment

This 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 Permanent position based out of Lambertville, NJ.

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

We offer a competitive salary, an incentive bonus plan and competitive benefit programs. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, company paid life and long-term and short-term disability programs plus flexible spending accounts and a strong 401(k) matching program. In addition, we offer a generous Paid Time Off and Holiday Program.

This is a fully onsite position in Lambertville,NJ.

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

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 meets 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 solving for 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.

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.