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Machine Operator Assistant Jobs in Ames, IA (NOW HIRING)

Maintenance Assistant

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

Cleans warehouse floors, offices, break room, and restrooms by operating self-propelled floor scrubbing machinery, and by sweeping, mopping, spraying, and wiping. Follows departmental procedures and ...

Maintenance Assistant

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

Cleans warehouse floors, offices, break room, and restrooms by operating self-propelled floor scrubbing machinery, and by sweeping, mopping, spraying, and wiping. Follows departmental procedures and ...

Maintenance Assistant

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$15.50 - $19.50/hr

Cleans warehouse floors, offices, break room, and restrooms by operating self-propelled floor scrubbing machinery, and by sweeping, mopping, spraying, and wiping. Follows departmental procedures and ...

General Production Worker

Johnston, IA

$14.25 - $17.25/hr

... * Assist in inspecting raw materials and ingredients prior to use to ensure they meet quality ... Experience with machine operation and machine operating in a manufacturing environment. * Ability ...

Perform machine maintenance. * Assist maintenance mechanic with machine repair or adjustments. * Performs duties of Line Operator to ensure production goals are met. * Responsible for accurate and ...

Perform machine maintenance. * Assist maintenance mechanic with machine repair or adjustments. * Performs duties of Line Operator to ensure production goals are met. * Responsible for accurate and ...

Perform machine maintenance. * Assist maintenance mechanic with machine repair or adjustments. * Performs duties of Line Operator to ensure production goals are met. * Responsible for accurate and ...

Perform machine maintenance. * Assist maintenance mechanic with machine repair or adjustments. * Performs duties of Line Operator to ensure production goals are met. * Responsible for accurate and ...

East Room Line Foreperson

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$15.75 - $20/hr

Perform machine maintenance. * Assist maintenance mechanic with machine repair or adjustments. * Perform duties of Line Operator to ensure production goals are met. * Responsible for accurate and ...

Showing results 21-40

Machine Operator Assistant information

See Ames, IA salary details

$13

$18

$21

How much do machine operator assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for machine operator assistant in Ames, IA is $18.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.77 and $18.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Machine Operator Assistant vs Machine Operator?

AspectMachine Operator AssistantMachine Operator
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some technical trainingHigh school diploma; technical certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentAssists in manufacturing or production settings, working alongside machine operatorsOperates machinery directly in manufacturing or industrial environments
Job ResponsibilitiesSupports machine operation, performs basic maintenance, and monitors equipmentControls and manages machinery, ensures quality, and troubleshooting

The Machine Operator Assistant primarily supports and assists the Machine Operator in daily tasks, focusing on preparation and basic maintenance. The Machine Operator takes on the responsibility of running and managing machinery independently. Both roles are essential in manufacturing, but the Machine Operator has more advanced technical duties and decision-making authority.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a machine operator assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Machine Operator Assistant, you need basic mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with manufacturing machinery, safety protocols, and the ability to use measuring tools or computer systems is often required. Reliability, effective communication, and the ability to work well in a team are standout soft skills for this role. These skills ensure safe, efficient machine operation and help maintain smooth production processes in manufacturing environments.

What is a machine operator assistant?

Machine Operator Assistants support machine operators by preparing materials, monitoring equipment, and ensuring a smooth production process in manufacturing environments. Their tasks often include loading and unloading materials, cleaning machines, inspecting products for quality, and assisting with machine maintenance. They help maintain efficiency and safety in the workplace and may also document production data or report equipment issues. This role is key for keeping manufacturing lines running smoothly and efficiently.

How much do you get paid as a machine operator assistant?

The average hourly wage for a machine operator assistant typically ranges from $12 to $20, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may pay closer to the lower end, while experienced assistants or those with specialized skills can earn higher wages. Overtime and shift differentials may also increase total compensation.

What are some common challenges faced by a machine operator assistant, and how can they be overcome?

Machine Operator Assistants often encounter challenges such as adapting to fast-paced production environments, ensuring safety compliance, and minimizing machine downtime. To overcome these, it's important to stay attentive to operational protocols, communicate effectively with machine operators and team members, and proactively report any equipment issues. Continuous learning and on-the-job training can also help assistants rapidly build the skills necessary to troubleshoot minor problems and contribute to a smooth workflow.
What are the most commonly searched types of Machine Operator jobs in Ames, IA? The most popular types of Machine Operator jobs in Ames, IA are:
What cities near Ames, IA are hiring for Machine Operator Assistant jobs? Cities near Ames, IA with the most Machine Operator Assistant job openings:
Infographic showing various Machine Operator Assistant job openings in Ames, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,632 per year, or $18.1 per hour.

$18.75 - $25.25/hr

Full-time

Retirement

Re-posted 6 days ago


American Packaging Corporation rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

31st of 119 rated packaging manufacturers


Job description

For over a century, American Packaging Corporation (APC) has been a leading flexible packaging converter for customers throughout North America. We nurture our employees by providing competitive salaries, excellent benefits, 401(k) plans and tuition reimbursement programs. These are just a few reasons why we were named a "Best of the Best" in the Best Workplaces in the Americas awards for 12 years in a row. APC's longstanding success is fueled from the inside out, and we consistently seek to improve our internal operations to propel that success into the future.
Prepress Operator
SITE: Story City
SHIFT: Days, 7am-7pm
SUMMARY: To prepare and stage press or laminator jobs. Prepress personnel are used in any capacity needed to stage items at any machine. They may retrieve and prepare cylinders for press run and after the press run, clean the cylinders and store them. All of these functions must be performed in the safest, most effective and efficient manner while adhering to established SOP's and quality standards.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
  • Facilitate on the job training and instruction for team members on the correct use of tools and equipment to ensure proper safety and operating procedures are followed.
  • Actively participate and embrace in the STOP Safety Program fundamentals and adhere to all safety guidelines and rules to aid APC's efforts to achieve a zero-accident rate.
  • Participate as a Subject Matter Expert in developing, understanding, and following Standard Operating Procedures and or training documentation.
  • Print and understand each job's Job Jacket, Print Specification, and Manufacturing Specification and take to the press.
  • Retrieve daily production schedule that identifies which job will run, quantities, priorities, etc. Interpret and act upon information.
  • Detect, report, and resolve all missing or substandard machine parts.
  • Use an automated storage system terminal to retrieve and return cylinders and anilox to storage.
  • Coordinate with Mounting Dept with respect to the production schedule and the staging of jobs. *Applies to Story City, IA COE
  • Assemble and transport print cylinders and aniloxes between printing press and prepress departments.
  • Place cylinders on assembly table and install the gears and journals. Install the pans, applicator pipes, end shields, splash guards and cylinders into the carriage units. *Applies to Roto COE.
  • Return the units to prepress, remove the parts, clean up the cylinders, and store them back into the storage system after a job has run. *Applies to Roto COE.
  • Aid on press set-ups as needed. Assist miscellaneous housekeeping and cleaning responsibilities.
  • Operate daily a core cutter to produce accurate size cores for each scheduled print job.
  • Complete required reports and paperwork. Use a computer terminal.
  • Perform required cleaning tasks - some daily, weekly or monthly requirements.
  • Obtain Power Industrial Truck license(s).
  • Effectively communicate with coworkers throughout all shifts.
  • Attend and participate in all company mandated meetings.
  • Business travel may be required.
  • Any other duties as assigned.

Requirements
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
REASONING ABILITY: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arm. The employee is occasionally required to walk. This position may require manual lifting not to exceed 50 lbs - reference your department-specific JHA (job hazard analysis) for departmental lifting restrictions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and toxic or caustic chemicals. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
American Packaging Corporation is committed to equal opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic. American Packaging Corporation will make reasonable accommodations for known physical or mental limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants with disabilities unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. EOE/AA Disability/Veteran.
If you are interested in applying for an employment opportunity and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at:
talentacquisition@americanpackaging.com.

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