Production Technician

The New Hire Utility role provides hands-on training across multiple areas in an aluminum extrusion and tube mill operation. You will learn to operate and support production equipment, handle aluminum products safely, and perform quality, packing, and inspection tasks while working closely with a press team. This position is ideal for individuals with mechanical aptitude and prior manufacturing, production, or material handling experience who want to grow into a specialized machine operator role within a unionized environment.

Responsibilities

• Learn to operate equipment associated with the extrusion department and tube mill, following standard operating procedures and safe job practices.
• Support machine operations by supplying materials, moving product on and off machines using proper lifting techniques and hoists, and assisting operators as needed.
• Perform general utility tasks including machine operating, quality checks, packing, inspecting, and material handling across multiple departments as assigned.
• Learn and participate in press team operations related to aluminum extrusion, contributing to daily production goals.
• Ensure all quality objectives are met by conducting inspections, monitoring product and process quality, and performing quality control and quality assurance tasks.
• Report and review any unusual conditions, equipment issues, or safety concerns with lead operators or supervisors promptly.
• Work collaboratively with team members and management, communicating effectively to meet production targets and maintain smooth workflow.
• Use basic measuring tools such as tape measures to verify product specifications and support quality requirements.
• Perform production support activities on the assembly line and production line, including packaging, labeling, and staging materials.
• Handle inventory and materials safely, including operating or learning to operate forklifts and overhead cranes as required.
• Follow all machine safety protocols when working around press machines, robotic equipment, and other complex machinery.
• Maintain a clean and safe work area by cleaning up grease, oil, hydraulic fluids, and other lubricants used in the metals manufacturing process.
• Adapt to different roles and departments as needed, demonstrating flexibility in assignments, shift movement, and cross-training opportunities.
• Meet attendance, overtime, and weekend work expectations, including working 2nd or 3rd shift and extended shifts up to 10–12 hours when required.
• Perform physically demanding tasks such as frequent lifting over 15 lbs, occasional assisted lifting up to 100 lbs, stepping on and off machinery, bending, pushing, and pulling objects over 15 lbs and up to 100 lbs.

• 1–2 years of experience in a manufacturing, production, or similar industrial environment.
• Experience in general labor, production support, or working on an assembly or production line.
• Basic machine operation experience or strong mechanical aptitude with a willingness to learn complex machinery.
• Experience in production or material handling, including moving materials and products safely.
• Familiarity with hand tools and basic equipment used in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to perform quality control, quality checks, and basic inspection tasks on manufactured products.
• Understanding of machine safety principles and safe work practices around press machines and other heavy equipment.
• Ability to use a tape measure and other basic measuring tools to verify product dimensions and specifications.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for completing documentation and communicating with team members and supervisors.
• Ability and interest in learning to operate a forklift and overhead crane if not already experienced.
• Willingness and ability to work 2nd or 3rd shift, extended shifts up to 10–12 hours, and regular weekend work as needed.
• Ability to work effectively in a union environment and adhere to union-related guidelines regarding shift movement and job bidding.
• Physical ability to frequently lift more than 15 lbs, occasionally lift up to 100 lbs with assistance, step over obstacles, get on and off machinery, and bend, push, and pull heavy objects.
• Comfort working around grease, oil, hydraulic fluids, and lubricants as part of the metals manufacturing process.

• Previous experience with machine operation in a manufacturing environment, including press machines or extrusion equipment.
• Background in production, assembly, or general production work in a heavy industrial or metals manufacturing setting.
• Experience with packaging, labeling, and preparing products for shipment on a production or assembly line.
• Familiarity with inventory handling and basic material flow through a manufacturing process.
• Experience operating forklifts, overhead cranes, or other motorized material handling equipment.
• Exposure to robotic equipment and a mix of new and older industrial machinery.
• Demonstrated strong work ethic, integrity, and a "can do" attitude toward cross-training and learning new roles.
• Ability to understand process flow of raw materials through the production process and how it relates to meeting production goals.
• Openness to starting in a utility role and progressing into a specific department role after a probationary period, with the option to bid into other departments over time.

You will join a company with a strong set of core values that emphasizes integrity, a strong work ethic, and a shared commitment to producing high-quality products. The organization focuses on making every new hire a better person through meaningful work, robust training, and a supportive culture. Employees benefit from a best-in-class new hire orientation, ongoing job training to increase their skills and earning potential, and clear pathways to advance into multiple roles within the extrusion department. The company offers an incentive bonus based on plant performance, annual pay increases, overtime opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes a company match for 401(k), excellent low-cost medical coverage, and company-paid dental and vision benefits. Paid vacation eligibility begins after 90 days of consecutive employment, and all required personal protective equipment is provided. The culture values people, invests in their development, and creates an environment where individuals can build long-term, successful careers.

Work Environment

The role is based in a non-climate-controlled metals manufacturing facility that can become very hot, especially during the summer months, and can be loud due to operating machinery. The production areas are generally open and spacious, with a mix of very large, complex equipment, including both brand-new robotic systems and older machinery. The environment involves regular exposure to grease, oil, hydraulic fluids, and other lubricants that must be cleaned as part of normal operations, so comfort working around these substances is essential. The extrusion department typically operates 8-hour shifts, but employees may work 10-hour shifts on some days and can be expected to work between 40 and 60 hours per week depending on production needs. There are three primary shifts—7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., and 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.—with current openings on 2nd and 3rd shift, and flexibility required due to union-based job bidding and shift assignments. Weekend work is common, with the potential to work up to six days per week and varying frequency of weekend days off. The facility provides all necessary personal protective equipment, and employees work in a union environment where shifts and roles are governed by established bidding processes.

Job Type & Location

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

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 30, 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.