Machine Operator / Troubleshooter
Aerotek, Charlottesville, VA, United States
Machine Operator / Troubleshooter
The Machine Operator sets up and operates metal-working presses safely, consistently, and efficiently to produce high-quality parts. This role focuses on performing complex die changeovers, ensuring machines run within tight tolerances, and carrying out daily preventive maintenance to maximize uptime and product quality.
Responsibilities
Set up metal-working presses according to blueprints, manuals, and router information to produce quality parts.
Change over dies and operate the equipment, including standard and advanced die changeovers.
Disassemble dies completely and change over internal mechanisms during setups that can take 24 hours.
Perform advanced die changes that may require 48 hours, then run production for several days to a week as needed.
Complete normal plate changes in approximately one hour prior to production run time.
Hold required tolerances and continuously observe machinery to ensure presses run correctly and safely.
Perform daily preventive maintenance tasks on presses and related equipment to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
Use hand and measuring tools such as calipers, wrenches, and drills to complete setups, adjustments, and maintenance.
Operate an overhead crane or hoist to safely load and unload material, including flipping bundles of approximately 200 pounds.
Troubleshoot press and tooling issues, identify root causes, and make appropriate adjustments or repairs.
Reference and follow multiple procedure books and work instructions to ensure accurate setups and safe operation.
Collaborate with team members across shifts to support smooth changeovers and consistent production quality.
Essential Skills
Hands-on experience setting up and operating metal-working presses.
Demonstrated ability to perform die changeovers, including advanced die and plate changes.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, manuals, routers, and procedure documents for machine setup.
Strong troubleshooting skills for press operations, tooling issues, and production quality concerns.
Experience performing preventive maintenance on production machinery.
Proficient use of tools such as calipers, wrenches, and drills for mechanical setup and adjustment.
Ability to operate an overhead crane or hoist to handle and flip heavy material bundles safely.
Mechanical aptitude and experience in a mechanic, maintenance, or press-related role.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in mechanical maintenance, press operation, or industrial machinery setup.
Comfort working with detailed procedures and multiple reference manuals.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining tight tolerances and quality standards.
Ability to work collaboratively with a tenured team across multiple shifts.
Interest in ongoing skills development and career growth within a manufacturing environment.
Why Work Here?
Employees join a growing, well-established manufacturer that invests heavily in its people and facilities. The organization has been recognized as a top mid-size employer in the region for multiple consecutive years, reflecting strong employee satisfaction and engagement. Team members benefit from a clean, modern workplace that includes amenities such as an onsite gym and a contemporary breakroom with recreational options. The company offers strong benefit coverage for full family plans after eligibility, along with a structured pay scale that provides opportunities for raises every six months. A dedicated Training and Development Coordinator supports each employee with individual development plans after 90 days, helping align short- and long-term career goals and supporting clear growth and succession paths within the plant. The culture emphasizes retention, tenure, and long-term careers, making it an attractive environment for those seeking stability and advancement.
Work Environment
The role is based in a clean, climate-controlled manufacturing facility. The operation is in a growth phase, with an existing large shop workforce and plans to add significantly more team members as a new facility comes online. The press department currently operates multiple presses across three shifts and is expanding by adding additional press capacity. The environment features modern employee facilities, including an onsite gym and an updated breakroom with amenities such as a ping-pong table. Work involves operating and maintaining several presses, using overhead cranes or hoists to move heavy material bundles, and working around production equipment in a structured, safety-focused setting. The facility layout and procedures support efficient production, collaboration among shifts, and a professional, team-oriented atmosphere.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of North Chesterfield, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $26.00/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 North Chesterfield, VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 30, 2026.
The Machine Operator sets up and operates metal-working presses safely, consistently, and efficiently to produce high-quality parts. This role focuses on performing complex die changeovers, ensuring machines run within tight tolerances, and carrying out daily preventive maintenance to maximize uptime and product quality.
Responsibilities
Set up metal-working presses according to blueprints, manuals, and router information to produce quality parts.
Change over dies and operate the equipment, including standard and advanced die changeovers.
Disassemble dies completely and change over internal mechanisms during setups that can take 24 hours.
Perform advanced die changes that may require 48 hours, then run production for several days to a week as needed.
Complete normal plate changes in approximately one hour prior to production run time.
Hold required tolerances and continuously observe machinery to ensure presses run correctly and safely.
Perform daily preventive maintenance tasks on presses and related equipment to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
Use hand and measuring tools such as calipers, wrenches, and drills to complete setups, adjustments, and maintenance.
Operate an overhead crane or hoist to safely load and unload material, including flipping bundles of approximately 200 pounds.
Troubleshoot press and tooling issues, identify root causes, and make appropriate adjustments or repairs.
Reference and follow multiple procedure books and work instructions to ensure accurate setups and safe operation.
Collaborate with team members across shifts to support smooth changeovers and consistent production quality.
Essential Skills
Hands-on experience setting up and operating metal-working presses.
Demonstrated ability to perform die changeovers, including advanced die and plate changes.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, manuals, routers, and procedure documents for machine setup.
Strong troubleshooting skills for press operations, tooling issues, and production quality concerns.
Experience performing preventive maintenance on production machinery.
Proficient use of tools such as calipers, wrenches, and drills for mechanical setup and adjustment.
Ability to operate an overhead crane or hoist to handle and flip heavy material bundles safely.
Mechanical aptitude and experience in a mechanic, maintenance, or press-related role.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in mechanical maintenance, press operation, or industrial machinery setup.
Comfort working with detailed procedures and multiple reference manuals.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining tight tolerances and quality standards.
Ability to work collaboratively with a tenured team across multiple shifts.
Interest in ongoing skills development and career growth within a manufacturing environment.
Why Work Here?
Employees join a growing, well-established manufacturer that invests heavily in its people and facilities. The organization has been recognized as a top mid-size employer in the region for multiple consecutive years, reflecting strong employee satisfaction and engagement. Team members benefit from a clean, modern workplace that includes amenities such as an onsite gym and a contemporary breakroom with recreational options. The company offers strong benefit coverage for full family plans after eligibility, along with a structured pay scale that provides opportunities for raises every six months. A dedicated Training and Development Coordinator supports each employee with individual development plans after 90 days, helping align short- and long-term career goals and supporting clear growth and succession paths within the plant. The culture emphasizes retention, tenure, and long-term careers, making it an attractive environment for those seeking stability and advancement.
Work Environment
The role is based in a clean, climate-controlled manufacturing facility. The operation is in a growth phase, with an existing large shop workforce and plans to add significantly more team members as a new facility comes online. The press department currently operates multiple presses across three shifts and is expanding by adding additional press capacity. The environment features modern employee facilities, including an onsite gym and an updated breakroom with amenities such as a ping-pong table. Work involves operating and maintaining several presses, using overhead cranes or hoists to move heavy material bundles, and working around production equipment in a structured, safety-focused setting. The facility layout and procedures support efficient production, collaboration among shifts, and a professional, team-oriented atmosphere.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of North Chesterfield, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $26.00/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 North Chesterfield, VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 30, 2026.