Machine Helper Jobs in Fort Wayne, IN (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Helper – Steel Manufacturing

This role provides hands-on support to production operators in a mid-size steel manufacturing environment. You assist with machine set-ups, material handling, and equipment monitoring to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality output. The position involves operating forklifts, working with coils and finished goods, and maintaining a clean and organized work area on either first or third shift.

Responsibilities

• Assist machine operators with set-ups and changeovers as required to support continuous production.
• Observe material flow, coil feeders, and machine controls and communicate any issues to the operator promptly.
• Load steel coils to welders using a sit-down forklift and coil grippers, following all safety procedures.
• Monitor equipment during operation to identify irregularities or potential problems and report them immediately.
• Check material for quality, ensuring pieces meet specifications and removing defective items from the line.
• Unload processed material from machines and move it to designated areas using appropriate material handling equipment.
• Restock coils and raw materials so machines remain supplied and production schedules are maintained.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and hazard-free working area by sweeping, removing debris, and following 5S or similar housekeeping practices.
• Unload finished goods to staging areas and prepare them for the next step in the process or shipment.
• Assist with cutting, matching ends, and welding coil ends as directed, ensuring proper alignment and secure welds.
• Follow all safety guidelines when operating forklifts, overhead cranes, and other equipment.
• Collaborate with team members and operators to meet production goals and respond to changing priorities.
• Perform general labor tasks such as lifting, moving, and positioning materials as needed throughout the shift.

Why Work Here?

Employees join a stable, mid-size steel operation that offers direct hire opportunities, decent benefits, and pay increases based on merit. The culture values hard work, safety, and reliability, while recognizing performance with growth in compensation. Team members benefit from clear shift structures, advance notice for overtime, and the chance to build skills in a core manufacturing environment.

Work Environment

The role is based in a mid-size steel manufacturing facility that operates multiple shifts, including first and third shift. Typical shift structures follow a 6 a.m.–2 p.m., 2 p.m.–10 p.m., and 10 p.m.–6 a.m. pattern, with overtime added as two extra hours to create 10-hour days when needed; employees receive at least 24 hours’ notice before overtime is scheduled. The environment involves working around steel coils, welders, saws, forklifts, and material handling equipment, with general labor and production tasks throughout the day. Dress code requires jeans, steel toe shoes, and long shirts or sleeves; gloves, arm sleeves, and hard hats are provided to support safety. The facility emphasizes safe operation of forklifts and overhead cranes, clean work areas, and teamwork across roles such as helper, wire drawer operator (entry level), EVG helper, saw operator, and Clifford helper.

This is a Permanent position based out of Garrett, IN.

The pay range for this position is $39520.00 - $39520.00/yr.

- direct hire - decent benefits - pay increases based on merit

This is a fully onsite position in Garrett,IN.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 14, 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.