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Senior Operator Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Experienced position consisting of assembly set-up and operating equipment, tools, machinery, and complex equipment to prepare and assemble product, ensuring all product meets quality standards. May ...

Senior Operator Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self and live a full life. You'll also have access to:

Senior Operator Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self and live a full life. You'll also have access to:

This role is for a senior operator or targeteer whose credibility and operational excellence already make them a go‑to voice for shaping missions - and who now wants to scale that impact by 100× ...

Senior Machine Operator

Brooklyn Park, MN · On-site

$22.61 - $33.16/hr

... Senior Machine Operator is to operate and monitor machines used in the production of the organization's product. May be involved in equipment set-up, and preventative maintenance of complex ...

The Senior Red Team Operator leads advanced offensive security operations designed to assess and improve the organization's cyber resilience. This role is responsible for conducting sophisticated ...

The Senior Red Team Operator leads advanced offensive security operations designed to assess and improve the organization's cyber resilience. This role is responsible for conducting sophisticated ...

Showing results 21-40

Senior Operator information

See Minnesota salary details

$24.5K

$78.6K

$160.1K

How much do senior operator jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior operator in Minnesota is $78,634.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,600.00 and $100,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To excel as a Senior Operator, you typically need in-depth knowledge of production processes, strong troubleshooting abilities, and relevant experience, often supported by a technical diploma or certification. Familiarity with industrial control systems, PLCs, SCADA software, and safety protocols is essential. Leadership, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills to manage teams and ensure smooth operations. These competencies are crucial for maintaining production efficiency, ensuring safety, and minimizing downtime in complex industrial environments.

What are the typical challenges a senior operator might face when managing a production shift?

Senior Operators often encounter challenges such as troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, ensuring team members adhere to safety protocols, and maintaining production efficiency under tight deadlines. They are also responsible for coordinating communication between various departments, quickly adapting to changes in production schedules, and mentoring less experienced operators. Success in this role requires strong problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, and a proactive approach to process improvements.

What is the difference between Senior Operator vs Process Technician?

AspectSenior OperatorProcess Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; often additional certifications in equipment or safetyHigh school diploma; certifications in process control or safety may be preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, refineries, or production facilitiesIndustrial settings, manufacturing plants, or chemical processing facilities
Job ResponsibilitiesOversees operations, monitors equipment, troubleshoots issues, and ensures safetyMaintains and calibrates equipment, assists in process control, and supports production

Both roles operate in similar industrial environments and require related certifications. Senior Operators typically have more responsibilities in overseeing operations and troubleshooting, while Process Technicians focus on maintaining and calibrating equipment. The roles often overlap, but Senior Operators usually have more experience and supervisory duties.

What is a senior operator?

Senior Operators are experienced professionals responsible for overseeing and managing the operations of machinery, equipment, or production processes in industries such as manufacturing, energy, or logistics. They ensure that operations run smoothly, efficiently, and safely while adhering to company policies and regulations. Senior Operators often train and supervise junior staff, troubleshoot technical issues, and may be involved in process optimization and reporting. Their extensive knowledge and leadership skills are vital for minimizing downtime and maintaining high standards of productivity.
What are the most commonly searched types of Operator jobs in Minnesota? The most popular types of Operator jobs in Minnesota are:
What cities in Minnesota are hiring for Senior Operator jobs? Cities in Minnesota with the most Senior Operator job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Operator job openings in Minnesota as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 44% Full Time, 54% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $78,634 per year, or $37.8 per hour.

Sr Operator - 1st Shift

watlow

Winona, MN

$23.06/hr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Watlow rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 13 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

57th of 156 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Position Summary:
Experienced position consisting of assembly set-up and operating equipment, tools, machinery, and complex equipment to prepare and assemble product, ensuring all product meets quality standards. May test products using established procedures.

Shift Hours: Monday through Thursday, 5:30 am - 4:00 pm

Pay Rate: $23.06/hour

Functional Contribution (Contribution Matrix):

  • Works under the general direction of a more seasoned team member
  • Routes questions to the appropriate person
  • Demonstrates a willingness to learn and improve.
  • Adheres to policies, procedures, and best practices
  • Ability to learn new skills and follow directions.
  • Produce at takt time while following standard work.
  • Able to work individually and in teams.
  • Follow the Watlow Way Behaviors, Values and Principles
  • MDI/ Improvement participation
  • Basic understanding of data analysis Demonstrate knowledge with computer systems
  • Models Watlow Way behaviors, principles, and values while applying the Watlow Business System

Skills, Abilities and Mastery (Responsibility Matrix):
     Delivery:

  • Operator role responsibilities, plus:
  • Set- up and operate equipment / tools / machinery, including complex equipment to prepare and assemble product.
  • Serve as a resource to others in resolution of complex problems and issues and work on tasks that reflect substantial variety and complexity.
  • May complete inventory-cycle counts and do the tracking of work in progress.
  • May orient, train, and review the work of other team members.
  • Must have job skills mastery and willingness to flex between work cells/ value streams.

Business Partner:

  • Collaborates with Maintenance with regard to TPM
  • Partners with CI on work cell improvements
  • Partners with Quality on problem solving
    Center of Expertise (COE)
  • Various certification requirements based on location (eg. IPC in Winona)
  • Previous Manufacturing or related industry experience

Education, Experience and Certification Requirements:

  • High-school graduate/GED preferred
  • Up to 3 years’ related experience
  • Trade Jobs- Preferred Two-year degree or Technical Certificate or related experience (1-3 years)

Additional Information Regarding Position:

  • Enriching Lives Workshop completion

What Watlow employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About Watlow

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Louis, MO, US

Year founded

1922

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