1

Breakdown Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Molding Operator - 2nd Shift

Camarillo, CA ยท On-site

$16.50 - $20/hr

What you'll do: Mold Operator role will set up equipment, prepares compounds and processes a ... Ability to recognize and inform supervision of assembly problems and equipment breakdown. * Good ...

Be Seen First

The ideal candidate will be responsible for inventory handling, pallet breakdown, product ... This position requires strong attention to detail, basic math skills, and experience operating ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Breakdown Operator information

Which operator job pays the most?

Among operator roles, heavy equipment or crane operators tend to have the highest salaries due to the specialized skills and certifications required. These positions often offer higher pay compared to other types of operators, especially with experience and additional certifications. Salary can also vary based on industry, location, and shift differentials.

What is the difference between Breakdown Operator vs Plant Operator?

AspectBreakdown OperatorPlant Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma, safety trainingHigh school diploma, technical certification
Work EnvironmentIndustrial sites, factoriesPower plants, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageMaintenance, troubleshootingOperation, control of machinery
Common Search IntentRepair, troubleshootingMonitoring, controlling processes

Breakdown Operators focus on repairing and troubleshooting machinery during breakdowns, often working in maintenance roles. Plant Operators oversee the daily operation of industrial equipment, ensuring processes run smoothly. While both roles require safety training and technical knowledge, Breakdown Operators are more reactive, whereas Plant Operators are proactive in managing plant functions.

What are the best jobs you can do when injured?

For a Breakdown Operator or similar roles, jobs that require less physical activity, such as dispatching, administrative tasks, or remote monitoring, are suitable when injured. These positions often involve using communication tools, computers, and safety protocols, allowing continued employment with minimal physical strain.

What companies hire people in wheelchairs?

Many companies across various industries hire individuals in wheelchairs, including manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and government agencies. Employers often provide accommodations and accessible work environments, and job seekers can find opportunities in roles that do not require physical mobility or that offer adaptive tools and flexible schedules.

What are some common challenges Breakdown Operators face during their shifts, and how can they effectively manage them?

Breakdown Operators often encounter challenges such as unexpected machinery malfunctions, tight repair deadlines, and working in high-pressure situations to minimize production downtime. Effective time management, strong troubleshooting skills, and clear communication with maintenance teams are essential for resolving issues quickly. Staying up-to-date with machinery manuals and standard operating procedures also helps operators respond efficiently to breakdowns and maintain safety standards.

What is a Breakdown Operator?

A Breakdown Operator is a professional responsible for operating and maintaining machinery used to disassemble or process materials, such as metals, plastics, or other goods, in manufacturing or recycling facilities. Their main duties include monitoring equipment performance, identifying malfunctions, and ensuring continuous and safe operation. They also perform routine maintenance, troubleshoot issues, and may assist with quality control of the output materials. Breakdown Operators play a vital role in the efficiency and safety of production lines or recycling operations.

What is the highest paying job working with cars?

High-paying jobs working with cars include automotive engineers, automotive service managers, and specialized technicians such as collision repair shop owners. These roles often require advanced technical skills, certifications, and experience, and can offer salaries significantly above average in the automotive industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Breakdown Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Breakdown Operator, you need strong mechanical aptitude, troubleshooting skills, and often a vocational or technical qualification in machinery or manufacturing. Familiarity with diagnostic tools, repair equipment, and maintenance management systems is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for minimizing downtime and ensuring safety. These competencies are essential for quickly resolving equipment failures, maintaining production efficiency, and supporting overall operational reliability.
Infographic showing various Breakdown Operator job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 45% Full Time, 53% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

2nd shift Packaging Machine Operator

We Pack It All

Azusa, CA โ€ข On-site

$18.50 - $23/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

Packaging Machine Operator

Position Overview:

The purpose of the position is to produce stick packs with customer supplied components to customer specifications and WePackItAll quality standards. Responsibilities are to know how to completely assemble and setup stick pack machines as well as disassemble and clean the machines, know how to operate, troubleshoot and adjust the machines, do quality inspection and seal tests during production. Consistently produce quality product while following all GMP guidelines. The position requires the ability and knowledge to work with machinery and tools. Work with items that are heavy, use a stool and be able to climb stairs or ladders. The position requires to work independently, with team members, and have a sense of urgency to keep production running. Work schedule is Monday through Friday with potential weekend work based on business needs.

Key Responsibilities:

A good machine operator is a self-motivated team player. They have the skills to successfully work with their assigned machinery to keep it running efficiently, produce quality sticks, and verify only satisfactory sticks transition into a finished good. Effective machine operators can think on their feet, make quick decisions, and have strong attention to detail to ensure no machinery issues go unnoticed.

  • Understands and enforces all GMPs, SOPโ€™s and SAFETY PROTOCALS.
  • Attend and perform work where no harm is caused and practice safe work habits.
  • Always apply safety measures, do not avoid safety features and employ unsafe behavior that can cause any risk or harm.
  • Ensure that all machine guards and safety devices are properly located and in place.
  • Ensure all safety devices are in place and in working order. (Door sensors, โ€œEโ€ stops).
  • Notify immediate supervisor or any other WPIA member of leadership of any safety device failures.
  • Follow all sanitation procedures by following processes, safety requirements, and maintaining a clean room. No scrap laying around, tools placed back on shadow board, area picked up and organized.
  • Adheres to and enforces all safety requirements and wears all required safety equipment.
  • Conduct routine inspections of efficiency and systems of safety.
  • Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety regulations, manuals of operations and maintenance instructions.
  • Understands the specifications on the work order and verify the components in the room as required by work order.
  • Clean, set-up, and fine tune the production machine to meet quality standards and the specifications provided on the work order.
  • Responsible for inspecting all equipment parts to confirm no broken/damaged or missing parts. Non-conforming parts must be reported immediately to quality and maintenance personnel.
  • Perform Lockout/Tagout when working on sensitive areas such as replacing heaters, jaws, knives, disassembling, and reassembling of augers/formers etc.
  • Ability to run at a consistency of 80% efficiency or above.
  • Hit target yield of 94% or higher.
  • Adjust machine and equipment parameters based on setup sheet.
  • Constant communication with the technicians regarding current or ongoing issues using commonly used terminology.
  • Arrive to work on time and maintain company attendance standards.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where items are moving at a rate of approximately 300-400 items per minute.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to pivot in unplanned operations.
  • Maintains appropriate work behavior and professionalism with co-workers and management.
  • Rotate into various positions as required by production needs.
  • Accurately records downtime and the cause of the issue.

Level 1 operator

  • Experience with hand tools required to perform job responsibilities (Rubber Mallet, Allen Keys, and wrench etc.).
  • Maintain running efficiency of 80% average or above.
  • Ability to operate multiple Stick pack machines.
  • Identifies, resolves, and communicates safety, quality, or productions issues.
  • Identifies, assembles/disassembles, installs augers and/or formers.
  • Notifies maintenance personnel of seal jaws wear and tears.
  • Demonstrates the proper procedure on how to install the vacuum system. (Volkmann/Piab)
  • Performs connection from supersack to Volkman.
  • Demonstrates the proper procedure on how to change and feed a roll of film through the machine.
  • Ability to complete dry clean/full clean.
  • Demonstrates proper set up and troubleshooting on ink jet or laser printers.
  • Demonstrates proper procedure on how to change both sets of sealing blocks and fin seal guides according to the work order specifications.
  • Has participated in 2 documented complete changeovers.

Level 2 Operator

  • Exceeds all level 1 requirements.
  • Maintain running efficiency of 85% average or above.
  • Can diagnose any unusual noise on the machine and prevent major breakdown.
  • Can complete basic PMโ€™s without the assistance of technicians.
  • Has completed 3 full changeovers without the help of technicians.

Level 3 Operator

  • Exceeds all level 1 and 2 requirements.
  • Maintain a running efficiency of 90% or above.
  • Ability to operate and train new operators on all stick pack machines.
  • Demonstrate proper trouble shooting procedures for mechanical and process issues.

Qualification:

  • 1 year minimum of machine operating experience
  • Basic Computer skills
  • Basic Math skills
  • Able to read and understand instructions in English
  • Packaging experience preferred
  • Ability to lift up to 30lbs

Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent

Benefits:

  • 401(k) & Roth 401(k)
  • Employee Discounts
  • Dental Insurance
  • Health Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Paid Life Insurance
  • Paid Holidays

WePackItAll is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. If you meet the qualifications and are excited about contributing to our dynamic team, please submit your resume and cover letter.