Contract Polar Cutter Machine Operator Jobs in Illinois

Job Title: Machine Operator

Job Description

The Machine Operator sets up and operates manual and automated saws to cut metal bar, tube, plate, and structural materials according to work orders in a heavy metals manufacturing environment. This role performs in‑process and final inspections, handles materials with a forklift, and completes routine equipment maintenance while following strict safety procedures. The position supports multiple shifts with regular overtime and offers the opportunity to learn new skills and potentially transition from temporary to long‑term employment.

Responsibilities

• Operate manual and automated saws to cut metal bar, tube, plate, and structural material according to work orders and production requirements.
• Set up saws, including adjusting feeds and speeds and selecting appropriate blades based on material type and cutting specifications.
• Monitor cutting operations continuously to ensure accuracy, proper surface finish, and dimensional compliance with quality standards.
• Perform in‑process and final inspections using go/no‑go gauges, tape measures, calipers, and other measuring tools to verify part quality.
• Bundle cut material and place it on pallets using a forklift, ensuring secure and organized staging of finished products.
• Build pallets when needed to support safe and efficient material storage and transport.
• Handle materials safely and efficiently throughout the production area, following established material‑handling practices.
• Perform routine maintenance on saws and related equipment, including blade changes, lubrication, and regular cleaning to maintain optimal performance.
• Record production data, inspection results, and material usage accurately in logs or digital systems to support traceability and continuous improvement.
• Follow all safety procedures, including lockout/tagout protocols, use of required personal protective equipment, and adherence to safe work practices in a heavy metals environment.
• Collaborate with supervisors, quality inspectors, and material handlers to maintain smooth workflow, address issues, and meet production goals.
• Support general production activities as needed, using hand tools and basic machining skills to assist with shop operations.
• Work scheduled shift hours and perform expected overtime of approximately 5–10 hours per week to meet demand.
• Adapt to working conditions in a hot, heavy industrial environment while maintaining focus on safety, quality, and productivity.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience operating forklifts in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Hands‑on machine operating experience in a production or metals manufacturing setting.
• Comfort working in a heavy metals environment, including exposure to heat and industrial noise.
• Basic machining experience, preferably with saw cutting operations.
• Ability to operate saws and related machinery safely and efficiently.
• Competence using measuring tools such as tape measures, calipers, and go/no‑go gauges for inspections.
• General production experience, including use of hand tools and material handling equipment.
• Ability to read and follow work orders and basic instructions related to cutting and material specifications.
• Commitment to following safety procedures, including lockout/tagout and PPE requirements.
• Capability to perform routine equipment maintenance such as blade changes, lubrication, and cleaning.
• Physical ability to work in a heavy industrial environment, including standing for extended periods and handling metal materials.
• Willingness to work assigned shift and perform 5–10 hours of overtime per week as needed.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Woodstock, IL.

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $24.25/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Woodstock,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 26, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

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.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

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.