Machine Operator

Job Title: New Hire Utility – Tube Mill Operations

Job Description

The New Hire Utility role supports tube mill operations by learning to operate production equipment, handling aluminum products, and maintaining high standards of safety and quality. You start as a utility worker, rotating through multiple departments to gain experience in machine operation, quality inspection, packing, and material handling. Over time, you develop into a specialized role within a specific department, contributing directly to daily production goals in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Learn to operate equipment associated with the tube mill and extrusion processes while following all safe job practices and standard operating procedures.
• Support tube mill operations by moving materials on and off machines using proper lifting techniques and hoists.
• Handle aluminum products throughout the manufacturing process, including loading, unloading, staging, and transferring materials.
• Assist machine operators in running extrusion, casting, and tube mill equipment to meet production targets.
• Ensure all quality objectives are met by performing visual inspections, quality checks, and basic quality control tasks on products.
• Identify, report, and help review any unusual operating conditions or equipment issues with lead operators or supervisors.
• Perform general production duties such as packing, assembly, labeling, and preparing finished products for shipment.
• Use hand tools, tape measures, and basic measuring devices to verify product dimensions and ensure they meet specifications.
• Support inventory and material handling activities, including counting, organizing, and tracking materials as needed.
• Operate or learn to operate forklifts and other material handling equipment safely, as required by the role.
• Work as part of a team, communicating frequently with team members and management to achieve daily production goals.
• Follow all union-related guidelines regarding shift movement, job bidding, and flexibility, regardless of union membership status.
• Participate actively in cross-training across departments to build a broad understanding of the manufacturing process and equipment.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area, including cleaning up grease, oil, and hydraulic fluids as part of normal metals manufacturing operations.
• Adhere to all safety rules when working around large, complex, and sometimes robotic machinery, including older and newer equipment.
• Complete all required documentation accurately, including production records, quality forms, and any job-related paperwork.
• Meet the physical demands of the job, including frequent lifting, bending, pushing, pulling, stepping on and off machinery, and working around motorized equipment.
• Demonstrate a consistent, reliable work ethic by showing up on time, working assigned shifts, and supporting overtime requirements when needed.

Essential Skills

• 1–2 years of experience in manufacturing, general production, or material handling.
• Prior experience in machine operation, machine assembly, or production support in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to perform general labor tasks such as loading, packaging, assembly line work, and production support.
• Experience with quality control, quality checks, visual inspection, and basic quality assurance in a production setting.
• Comfort working in a manufacturing environment with large equipment, press machines, and moving machinery.
• Ability to read and use a tape measure and basic hand tools accurately.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with an interest in learning how machines and production processes work.
• Willingness and ability to learn forklift operation if not already experienced.
• Ability to work all three shifts (7–3, 3–11, 11–7) as the tube mill rotates and shift assignments may change.
• Capacity to meet the physical demands of the job, including frequent lifting of 15–50 lbs and occasional assisted lifting up to 100 lbs.
• Ability to step over obstacles, climb on and off machinery, bend, push, and pull objects in excess of 15 lbs, and pull objects up to 100 lbs.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective teamwork and accurate completion of documentation.
• Willingness to work in a union environment and follow union-related guidelines for shift movement and job bidding.
• Reliable attendance, integrity, and a strong work ethic suitable for a high-performance manufacturing setting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous forklift experience or certification is a plus.
• Experience with inspection, quality control, and quality assurance in a manufacturing or metals environment.
• Familiarity with production concepts such as inventory, material handling, and assembly line operations.
• Comfort working around grease, oil, and hydraulic fluids as part of metals manufacturing processes.
• Openness to cross-training in multiple departments and learning a variety of machines and processes.
• Ability to adapt to working with both new robotic equipment and older, legacy machinery.
• Motivated, “can do” attitude toward learning, taking on new tasks, and progressing into higher-level roles over time.

Why Work Here?

You join a culture built on strong core values, integrity, and a commitment to developing people. The organization focuses on making every new hire better through comprehensive training, best-in-class orientation, and ongoing job skill development that can increase your earning potential. You benefit from a structured progression path with multiple internal roles available after the probationary period, annual pay increases, and performance-based incentive bonuses. The company invests in your long-term well-being with a company match for retirement savings, excellent low-cost medical coverage, company-paid dental and vision benefits, and paid vacation eligibility after 90 days of continuous employment. You work alongside teammates who share a common vision to solve complex problems and produce high-quality products, in an environment that values veterans, strong work ethic, and personal growth.

Work Environment

The role is based in a non-climate-controlled metals manufacturing facility that is open and spacious but can be loud due to operating machinery. The plant is heated in winter, and summers can be hot despite airflow and cooling fans. Tube mill shifts follow a steady schedule of 7:00–3:00, 3:00–11:00, and 11:00–7:00, with the potential for 10–12 hour days and up to six days per week depending on production needs; typical workloads average around 50 hours per week. Team members in the tube mill generally have the same two days off each week as part of their assigned team schedule. The environment includes large, complex machinery, ranging from brand-new robotic equipment to older machines, and involves regular exposure to grease, oil, and hydraulic fluids that must be cleaned up as part of normal operations. Personal protective equipment is provided, and employees are expected to follow all safety procedures while working in and around motorized equipment, on and off machines, and in areas with moving parts and lubricants. Flexibility is required regarding shifts and job assignments, as roles and schedules are influenced by union job bidding processes.

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

The pay range for this position is $20.31 - $20.31/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 Chester,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on May 6, 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.