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Food Manufacturing Machine Operator Jobs in California

Managed Staffing

Machine Operator

Lodi, CA · On-site

$20 - $21/hr

Contract Position Overview Seeking a Machine Operator (Rheon - Case Packer/Packaging Equipment) to support food manufacturing operations at the Lodi, CA facility. This role requires hands-on machine ...

Marquee Staffing - OC

Be Seen First

Manufacturing Machine Operator 1st Shift

Irvine, CA · On-site

$18 - $19.50/hr

Medical Device Manufacturer located in Irvine is seeking a machine operator to join their team. This position is primarily working with manual machines and hand assembly for rework in the production ...

Express Employment

Machine Operator

Santa Ana, CA

$20/hr

Machine Operator (Manufacturing / Production Operator) Location: Costa Mesa / Santa Ana, CA Schedule: Full-Time | 1st & 2nd Shift Opportunities Available Pay: $20.00+/hour (Depending on Experience ...

Albertsons

Machine Operator

Riverside, CA

$17.75 - $21.25/hr

Understanding of food safety practices and manufacturing standards (GMP, HACCP). Strong attention to detail and ability to follow instructions. Reliable and able to work in a fast-paced, team ...

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All JobsFood Manufacturing Machine Operator JobsFood Manufacturing Machine Operator Jobs in California

Food Manufacturing Machine Operator information

See California salary details

$11

$17

$23

How much do food manufacturing machine operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for food manufacturing machine operator in California is $17.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To excel as a Food Manufacturing Machine Operator, you need a solid understanding of machinery operation, basic mechanical aptitude, and often a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with automated production equipment, safety protocols, and sometimes HACCP certification is important. Attention to detail, teamwork, and strong problem-solving skills help operators maintain quality and efficiently address issues. These skills ensure safe, consistent production and help meet strict food industry standards.

What does a Food Manufacturing Machine Operator do?

A Food Manufacturing Machine Operator is responsible for running and maintaining machinery that processes, packages, or prepares food products in a factory setting. Their tasks include setting up equipment, monitoring production lines, performing quality checks, and troubleshooting minor issues to ensure efficient operation. They must follow strict safety and hygiene standards to prevent contamination and ensure product quality. Operators may also be involved in cleaning machinery and recording production data.

What are some common challenges faced by Food Manufacturing Machine Operators, and how can they be managed?

Food Manufacturing Machine Operators often encounter challenges such as maintaining consistent product quality, troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, and adhering to strict safety and hygiene standards. Managing these challenges requires attention to detail, quick problem-solving skills, and thorough knowledge of the machinery used. Regular training, proactive maintenance, and effective communication with maintenance and quality assurance teams help operators minimize downtime and ensure smooth operations. Staying organized and following established protocols can also make it easier to handle high production demands and frequent changeovers.

What is the difference between Food Manufacturing Machine Operator vs Food Processing Technician?

AspectFood Manufacturing Machine OperatorFood Processing Technician
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma; technical training or certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentFactories, production lines, manufacturing plantsProcessing facilities, quality control labs, production areas
Job FocusOperating and monitoring machinery to produce food productsMaintaining, troubleshooting, and improving processing equipment
Common UsageManufacturing food items like snacks, beverages, canned goodsEnsuring quality, safety, and efficiency in food processing

While both roles work in food production environments, Food Manufacturing Machine Operators primarily focus on operating machinery, whereas Food Processing Technicians handle equipment maintenance and quality control. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are popular job titles related to Food Manufacturing Machine Operator jobs in California? For Food Manufacturing Machine Operator jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Manufacturing Machine Operator jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Food Manufacturing Machine Operator jobs in California are:
Food Manufacturing Machine Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Food Manufacturing Machine Operator job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,331 per year, or $17.9 per hour.

Manufacturing Machine Operator

Anonymous Employer

San Diego, CA

$23 - $25/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Be an early applicant

Job description

Manufacturing Machine Operator

Location: San Diego, CA

High Demand Shift Availability:

• 2nd Shift

• 3rd Shift

Join a Growing Manufacturing Team

We are seeking Manufacturing Machine Operators to support a new production cell focused on precision manufacturing. This is an exciting opportunity to work with automated equipment in a fast-paced environment while helping scale production from startup through high-volume manufacturing.

The ideal candidate will have experience operating manufacturing equipment, performing quality inspections, making machine adjustments, and working in a production environment where quality and consistency are critical.

What You'll Do

• Set up, operate, and monitor automated manufacturing equipment

• Adjust machine parameters and process settings to maintain quality standards

• Operate machine interfaces, automated controls, and production software

• Monitor inspection data and dimensional measurements to support process adjustments

• Perform visual and dimensional inspections using calipers and other measurement tools

• Apply basic Statistical Process Control (SPC) techniques to monitor product quality

• Troubleshoot minor equipment and process issues

• Perform routine preventive maintenance activities

• Complete production and quality documentation accurately

• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to improve manufacturing processes

Required Qualifications

• Experience operating manufacturing or automated production equipment

• Familiarity with machine controls, interfaces, or automated systems

• Experience using precision measurement tools such as calipers

• Basic understanding of quality control and SPC concepts

• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability

• Ability to stand for extended periods and lift materials as required

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with lamination, film converting, packaging, printing, coating, or rotary die-cutting processes

• Experience with automated inspection or vision systems such as Keyence

• Experience using CMM equipment or interpreting dimensional inspection data

• Previous experience supporting new equipment installations or production launches

• Experience in medical device, aerospace, precision manufacturing, or other regulated manufacturing environments

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to support a brand-new manufacturing operation

• Work with advanced automated production equipment

• Growth potential as production scales

• Collaborative team environment

• Stable long-term manufacturing opportunity

Shift Demand:

2nd Shift and 3rd Shift

Location:

San Diego, CA

You should be proficient in:

  • Die Attach/Bonding
  • Equipment Troubleshooting
  • Statistical process control (SPC)
  • Mechanical Troubleshooting Skills
  • Metal Stamping & Forming (Progressive Die)
  • Machine Setups for Production Runs
  • Manual Machining Skills
  • Blueprint Reading

Machines & technologies you'll use:

  • Punch Press
  • Extrusion Machine
  • Die Cast Machine (Cold Chamber)
  • Die Cast Machine (Hot Chamber)
  • Calipers and Micrometers
  • Cylindrical Grinder Machine
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