Sewing Machine Operator Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: New Hire Utility – Tube Mill Operations

Job Description

The New Hire Utility role focuses on learning and performing a wide range of duties within a tube mill and extrusion manufacturing environment, including operating and supporting production equipment, handling aluminum products, and maintaining quality and safety standards. You start as a Utility employee, gain experience across multiple departments, and, upon becoming permanent, move into a specific department where you can continue to grow and bid into other roles over time.

Responsibilities

• Learn to operate equipment associated with the tube mill and extrusion processes, including extrusion and casting machinery, press machines, and related production equipment.
• Support tube mill operations by assisting machine operators, moving materials on and off machines using proper lifting techniques and hoists, and ensuring smooth production flow.
• Handle aluminum products and other materials throughout the manufacturing process, including loading, unloading, packing, and general material handling tasks.
• Perform general labor and production support duties such as assembly line work, machine operation, packaging, and use of hand tools as needed.
• Conduct visual inspections and quality checks on products to ensure all quality objectives and specifications are met, following standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality assurance guidelines.
• Report and review any unusual conditions, equipment issues, or safety concerns with lead operators or supervisors promptly to maintain safe and efficient operations.
• Accurately complete all required documentation and production records, using clear verbal and written communication to support both the Utility role and ongoing career progression.
• Work collaboratively on a team, interacting regularly with team members and management to meet daily production goals and support continuous improvement efforts.
• Participate actively in cross-training across multiple departments, learning machine operating, quality, packing, inspecting, and other functions to build broad operational knowledge.
• Adhere to safe job practices at all times, including proper use of PPE, safe lifting techniques, and safe operation of machinery and motorized equipment.
• Maintain a clean and orderly work area, including cleaning up grease, oil, and other hydraulic fluids that are part of the metals manufacturing process and necessary for machine lubrication.
• Operate or learn to operate forklifts and other material handling equipment to move product and supplies safely throughout the facility.
• Follow union-related guidelines regarding shift movement, job bidding, and flexibility requirements, whether or not you are a union member.
• Meet physical demands of the role by frequently lifting 15–50 lbs and occasionally up to 100 lbs with assistance, stepping on and off machinery, bending, pushing, and pulling objects, and working around large, complex equipment.
• Support long shift schedules in the tube mill, including potential 10–12 hour days and up to 6 days per week, while maintaining consistent performance and reliability.

Essential Skills

• 1–2 years of experience in manufacturing, general production, or material handling in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience in production support, machine or assembly work, or related industrial roles.
• Basic machine operating and machine operation skills, including familiarity with press machines or similar equipment.
• Experience with general labor tasks such as loading, packaging, assembly, and use of hand tools.
• Ability to perform visual inspection, quality checks, and basic quality control or quality assurance tasks.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and assembly line operations, including process flow of raw materials through production.
• Mechanical aptitude and interest in learning complex machinery, including both older equipment and newer robotic systems.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to complete documentation and interact effectively with team members and management.
• Ability and willingness to learn forklift operation if not already experienced, with a proactive, “can do” attitude toward cross-training.
• Capability to work all three shifts (7–3, 3–11, 11–7) in a rotating tube mill schedule and to adjust as shifts are dictated and bid through union processes.
• Physical ability to frequently lift 15–50 lbs and occasionally up to 100 lbs with assistance, step over obstacles, get on and off machinery, bend, push, and pull objects in excess of 15 lbs, and pull objects up to 100 lbs.
• Comfort working around grease, oil, and hydraulic fluids, and willingness to clean these materials as part of normal metals manufacturing operations.
• Reliability in completing onboarding requirements within the probationary period in alignment with union guidelines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience in a manufacturing environment with large, complex machinery, including both legacy and modern robotic equipment.
• Experience with inventory tasks and basic production-related record keeping.
• Prior exposure to quality assurance processes in manufacturing, including inspection and documentation of product quality.
• Familiarity with forklifts and other powered industrial trucks is beneficial.
• Experience working in a union environment or in roles where shift bidding and flexibility are required.
• Ability to thrive in non–climate-controlled, loud industrial environments with variable temperatures across seasons.
• Strong work ethic, integrity, and a team-oriented mindset that aligns with a values-driven manufacturing culture.

Why Work Here?

You join a values-driven organization that places integrity, strong work ethic, and personal growth at the center of its culture. The facility offers a best-in-class new hire orientation and training program, along with ongoing opportunities to complete additional job training that can increase your base hourly wage and open pathways to multiple roles inside the extrusion department. You benefit from monthly performance-based incentive bonuses, annual pay increases, a company match for 401(k), and excellent, low-cost medical coverage with company-paid dental and vision benefits. Vacation eligibility begins after 90 days of consecutive employment, and overtime opportunities allow you to enhance your earnings. The company provides PPE and invests in its people, aiming to make every new hire a better person through meaningful work, strong core values, and a supportive environment that attracts and develops talented individuals.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of North Chesterfield, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.81 - $20.81/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in North Chesterfield,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 16, 2026.

About Aerotek

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.