Machine Operator

Job Description

Job Title: Machine Operator

Job Description

This role operates a variety of industrial machines to produce high-quality products for the agricultural industry. You will primarily load triangle metal parts into machines that sharpen and form them into blades, while monitoring equipment performance, maintaining safety and quality standards, and supporting general production activities on the shop floor.

Responsibilities

Operate various industrial machines to produce components for agricultural products according to established procedures and safety standards.

Load triangle metal parts into machines that sharpen and form them into blades, ensuring proper alignment and secure placement.

Meet daily and weekly production expectations by following routings, bills of materials, feed systems, and occasionally blueprints.

Assist with moving materials and finished products manually and with equipment such as hoists or forklifts, once trained and authorized.

Start machines and closely observe operations to detect misalignment, malfunctions, or irregularities in the process.

Perform hourly quality checks in line with company standards and document results accurately.

Clean and lubricate machines and tooling as required to maintain optimal performance and reduce downtime.

Perform routine machine maintenance tasks once trained, and promptly report any issues that require additional support.

Use hand tools, tape measures, and basic inspection tools to verify dimensions and quality of parts.

Support general labor and production tasks as needed, including basic assembly, material handling, and workplace housekeeping.

Follow all safety guidelines and participate in maintaining a safe, efficient, and collaborative work environment.

Rotate through different duties approximately every two hours to support team needs and maintain productivity.

Essential Skills

Experience in manufacturing or production environments (preferred 1+ years).

Hands-on machine operation experience, ideally with press operation (preferred 1+ years).

Ability to operate or learn to operate press brakes, stamping presses, punch presses, and other industrial presses.

Comfort working with steel fabrication processes, including bending, grinding, cutting, and forming steel and sheet metal.

Basic ability to read and follow routings, bills of materials, and occasionally blueprints.

Competence using hand tools and measurement tools such as tape measures for inspection and quality checks.

Capability to perform general labor and general production tasks in a manufacturing setting.

Ability to inspect parts for quality and follow standard inspection procedures.

Willingness and physical ability to move materials and products, including using hoists or forklifts after training.

Reliability in meeting production expectations while maintaining safety and quality standards.

Openness to training and learning new machines, tools, and processes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

Prior experience in agriculture manufacturing or steel manufacturing environments.

Exposure to CNC equipment, routers, lasers, burn tables, shear presses, saws, and other fabrication machinery.

construction, assembly, or general labor in an industrial setting.

Familiarity with working with carbon steel and sheet metal materials.

Ability to read and interpret blueprints with increasing independence over time.

Interest in professional development and progressing into more advanced machine setup and tooling changeover responsibilities.

Comfort working with older, heavy-duty industrial presses and appreciating a traditional manufacturing environment.

Open to candidates with less direct experience who demonstrate strong work ethic and willingness to learn.

Why Work Here?

You will join a smaller, family-oriented team that values collaboration, safety, and getting the job done efficiently while still having fun together. The company offers clear room for advancement, with performance-based reviews, raises, and opportunities to move into more advanced roles, including tooling changeovers and operating additional machines. You will benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that can include 401(k) with matching, retirement options, health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, employee discounts, an employee assistance program, professional development assistance, and referral programs. The organization is growing and expanding its product offerings, creating ongoing opportunities for career growth and skill development in a stable and evolving environment.

Work Environment

This is a first-shift position, typically working from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You can choose between a 30-minute unpaid lunch and working until 1:30 p.m., or a 10-minute paid lunch and finishing at 1:00 p.m., allowing you to complete an 8-hour day and be out of work on time. The schedule includes 10-minute breaks throughout the day, with additional breaks provided when it is hot, and job duties rotate approximately every two hours to keep the workday varied. The facility is not temperature controlled, so it can become warm in the summer and feels comfortable in the winter without being excessively cold. The environment features a nostalgic manufacturing atmosphere, including presses dating back to the 1940s, creating a unique and interesting workspace for those who appreciate traditional industrial equipment. The setting is low-key yet focused, emphasizing safe, efficient work in a supportive team environmentJob Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Indianola, IA.Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $23.00/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)Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Indianola,IA.Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 27, 2026.

About Aerotek:

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.Company Description

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 meet 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 in solving 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.