Grinder Operator

Job Title: Grinder / Shop Laborer

Job Description

This role supports the finishing department by grinding, deburring, and smoothing welds on fabricated products, as well as assisting with material wrapping and general shop tasks as needed. You will work with metal and wood components used in products such as park benches, playground and fitness equipment, slides, and trash receptacles, helping ensure a high-quality finished appearance.

Responsibilities

• Grind, deburr, and smooth out welds on metal components to meet quality and appearance standards.
• Prepare parts for finishing by removing sharp edges, imperfections, and excess material.
• Assist with wrapping and packaging materials in the wood shop when needed to protect products during storage and shipment.
• Support powder coating and painting operations by handling and preparing parts as directed.
• Perform general material handling duties, including moving parts and products throughout the shop.
• Use basic shop tools such as drills and saws to assist with fabrication and finishing tasks.
• Read and follow basic drawings or blueprints to understand part requirements and finishing details.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in the finishing and wood shop areas.
• Collaborate with team members and assist as a shop helper in various fabrication and finishing activities.
• Follow all safety procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment while operating tools and working in the shop.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience with grinding and deburring metal components.
• Ability to safely operate grinders and related finishing tools.
• Basic understanding of metal finishing processes, including smoothing welds and preparing surfaces.
• Capability to perform physical shop labor, including standing for extended periods and handling materials.
• Ability to read and follow basic drawings or blueprints.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure clean, smooth finishes on all parts.
• Reliability and willingness to assist in multiple areas of the shop as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with powder coating or painting processes.
• Material handling experience in a manufacturing or fabrication environment.
• shop helping or in a similar hands-on production role.
• Experience using drills, saws, and other common shop tools.
• Woodworking experience, particularly in a wood shop setting.
• Familiarity with reading and interpreting simple drawings and blueprints.
• Forklift experience is a bonus and considered a plus.

Why Work Here?

You will join a stable manufacturing team that produces distinctive, recognizable products used in parks and public spaces across the country. The company offers a family-type, supportive environment where team members help each other and share knowledge. You will have the opportunity to be cross-trained in multiple fabrication and finishing areas, allowing you to build new skills and grow your capabilities over time.

Work Environment

This position is based in a busy manufacturing shop that produces items such as park benches, playground equipment, fitness equipment, slides, and trash receptacles for clients nationwide. The work takes place in a back shop environment that is open to the elements, which means it can be cold in the winter and hot in the summer. You will work around metal and wood fabrication, finishing, powder coating, painting, and general shop operations, using common shop tools and handling materials throughout the day. Appropriate work attire and personal protective equipment are required to safely perform the duties in this active production setting.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Vancouver, WA.

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $21.00/hr.

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 Vancouver,WA.

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 22, 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.