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Floater Operator Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Zekelman Industries

Floater Operator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$29.96/hr

About the Role As a Floater Operator at Zekelman Industries , this role plays a key part in safely operating and maintaining production machinery to support continuous and efficient mill operations.

Zekelman

Floater Operator

Chicago, IL

$29.96/hr

About the Role As a Floater Operator at Zekelman Industries , this role plays a key part in safely operating and maintaining production machinery to support continuous and efficient mill operations.

Zekelman

Floater Operator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$27.40/hr

About the Role As a Floater Operator at Zekelman Industries , this role plays a key part in safely operating and maintaining production machinery to support continuous and efficient mill operations.

Zekelman Industries

Floater Operator

Chicago, IL · On-site

$27.40/hr

About the Role As a Floater Operator at Zekelman Industries , this role plays a key part in safely operating and maintaining production machinery to support continuous and efficient mill operations.

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Floater Operator information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a floater operator?

To thrive as a Floater Operator, you generally need mechanical aptitude, a high school diploma or GED, and experience in industrial or manufacturing environments. Familiarity with production machinery, safety protocols, and sometimes forklift certification or specific equipment training is often required. Strong attention to detail, adaptability, and effective communication help operators efficiently handle multiple tasks and shifts. These skills are crucial to ensure safe operations, maintain productivity, and quickly address issues across different roles on the manufacturing floor.

What are some typical challenges faced by a floater operator and how can they be addressed?

Floater Operators often encounter the challenge of quickly adapting to different workstations and processes, as they are required to fill in for various roles across the production floor. This demands a strong ability to learn new tasks efficiently and maintain consistent performance despite frequent changes. Building strong communication skills and proactively seeking clarification or training can help Floater Operators overcome these challenges and ensure smooth workflow transitions. Additionally, being adaptable and organized are key traits that contribute to success in this dynamic role.

What is the difference between Floater Operator vs Drilling Operator?

AspectFloater OperatorDrilling Operator
CredentialsRelevant certifications, such as BOSIET, HUET, and offshore safety trainingSimilar certifications, often including IWCF or Well Control certifications
Work EnvironmentOperates on offshore floating platforms or vesselsWorks primarily on drilling rigs, either onshore or offshore
Employer & IndustryOil and gas companies, offshore drilling contractorsOil and gas companies, drilling service providers
Work FocusMaintains and operates equipment on floating platformsHandles drilling operations and equipment on rigs

While both roles involve offshore oil and gas operations, a Floater Operator specializes in operating equipment on floating platforms, whereas a Drilling Operator focuses on the drilling process itself. The certifications and work environments overlap, but their daily tasks differ based on their specific operational focus.

What is a floater operator position?

A floater operator is a worker responsible for operating and maintaining equipment on oil and gas platforms or similar facilities, often moving between different locations as needed. They typically need technical skills, safety training, and certifications such as HAZWOPER or OSHA, and may work irregular hours or shifts. The role requires adaptability to various environments and equipment types.

What is a floater operator?

A floater operator is a worker responsible for operating and maintaining equipment on floating platforms, such as oil rigs or offshore vessels. They typically need technical skills, safety training, and certifications like HAZWOPER or BOSIET, and may work in rotating shifts in challenging environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Operator jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Operator jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Floater Operator jobs in Illinois?

For Floater Operator jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Floater Operator jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Floater Operator jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Floater Operator jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Floater Operator job openings:

Floater Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Floater Operator job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 51% Full Time, 47% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Floater Operator

Zekelman Industries

Chicago, IL • On-site

$29.96/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

You may not know our name, but you know our products. What we make is part the places where we live, work and play - all day, everyday.
Zekelman is a family of companies - 100% domestic manufacturers - with a legacy dating back to 1877. We're proud to be the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and the leading innovator in multi-family housing development.
We believe in what we build and what we build, builds the world around us. Hospitals, hotels, schools, bridges, airports and more.
Come build a career you believe in.
About the Role
As a Floater Operator at Zekelman Industries, this role plays a key part in safely operating and maintaining production machinery to support continuous and efficient mill operations. This position is responsible for running the seam welder, mill, and scarfing unit, performing changeovers, and collaborating with the production team to meet quality and output goals. This role is ideal for individuals with strong mechanical aptitude who value teamwork and thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
What You'll Do
  • Perform work in accordance with company safety policies and report unsafe conditions immediately
  • Troubleshoot and resolve production issues while communicating effectively with the mill crew
  • Follow and communicate the mill schedule to ensure adherence to production timelines
  • Interface with supervision, mill crew, and other departments to support safe and efficient operations
  • Communicate quality requirements and ensure product standards are consistently met
  • Relay daily production updates to supervision and other shifts
  • Maintain offline requirements to support quick-change operations
  • Coordinate with maintenance teams to support repairs and equipment adjustments
  • Calibrate micrometers at the start of each shift and during changeovers
  • Perform size, gauge, grade, and shape changes online as required
  • Direct and assist in changeovers while inspecting tooling condition after each rolling
  • Support other team positions and assist in cross-training team members
  • Maintain housekeeping standards across all work areas
  • Perform preventive maintenance activities as assigned
  • Maintain regular, full-time, predictable onsite attendance

Who You Are
  • 5+ years of manufacturing experience, preferred
  • Trade certification, preferred
  • Strong mechanical aptitude with basic math skills
  • Experience using precision measuring instruments such as micrometers and calipers, preferred
  • Crane certification required
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Commitment to promoting safe work practices in accordance with regulatory and company policies

Physical Abilities
  • Stand, walk, use hands, and reach with arms throughout the shift
  • Lift, climb, bend, stoop, push, and pull as required
  • Lift up to 50 pounds
  • Work in environments with moving mechanical parts, airborne particles, and elevated noise levels
  • Work in occasional wet or humid conditions within an industrial setting

What You'll Get
Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental coverage. Employees also have access to a comprehensive total rewards package:
  • Competitive Compensation
  • Bonus Plan & Profit-Sharing Opportunities
  • 401(k) with Company Match
  • Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Tuition Assistance Program
  • Paid Vacation & Holidays
  • Employee Loyalty Awards

Compensation & Benefits
Below is the expected base hourly range for this position. This is a good-faith estimate, and offers will be determined based on experience, education, skill set, and interview performance.
Base Hourly Rate:
$29.96 USD per hour + production incentive bonus
Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits. In addition, we have an amazing tuition assistance program, a bonus plan, a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, immediate vesting, and much more.
M/F/D/V
We are Zekelman Industries.
We manufacture superior quality tubular and related products, and provide outstanding service for our valued customers.
We seek to continuously advance the skills and opportunities of our employees, utilizing the latest technology and management tools available to consistently increase profitability and the enterprise value of Zekelman Industries and of our customers.

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