Crater

Aerotek; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 32,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k) Plan

Life Insurance

Disability

Transportation benefits

Job summary

Aerotek in St. Louis, MO is seeking a Contract Crater to build custom skids and packaging for finished machinery. You will use carpentry skills, operate a sit-down forklift, and follow BOMs to ensure secure, on-time shipments.

You will read and size skids, document materials and weights, and maintain shipping inventories in a fast-paced shop. Safety, accuracy, and teamwork are essential as you support multi‑department shipment coordination and site operations.

Qualifications

• Experience shipping heavy equipment or machinery.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds safely and repeatedly.
• Ability to read and follow shipping bills of materials and sales orders.

Responsibilities

• Build customized skids to ship finished machinery to customers, ensuring safe transport.
• Properly size skids and dunnage to support assemblies for loading and unloading.
• Operate shop tools and a sit-down forklift to construct, load, and secure skids.
• Label and document items according to BOMs or sales orders.
• Record materials used, dimensions, and weights for each shipment.
• Maintain and replenish inventory of shipping materials and related supplies.
• Collaborate with other departments to locate missing materials and coordinate shipments.
• Follow safety procedures when using tools, equipment, and forklifts.
• Keep the work area organized, clean, and hazard-free.

Skills

Forklift operation

Carpentry

Measurement

Documentation

Inventory management

Safety awareness

Reading BOMs

Tools

Pneumatic nail guns

Saws

Metal banders

Job description

Job Title: Crater Job Description

The Crater builds custom skids and packaging solutions to safely ship finished machinery to customers. This role combines carpentry, material handling, and documentation to ensure equipment ships securely, accurately, and on time. You will construct skids, operate shop tools and a sit-down forklift, and maintain shipping materials and inventory in a busy, production-focused environment.

Responsibilities

• Build customized skids to ship finished machinery to customers, ensuring safe and secure transport.

• Properly size skids and dunnage to support assemblies and facilitate efficient loading and unloading.

• Operate shop equipment, including saws, pneumatic nail guns, metal banders, and fasteners, to construct, load, and secure skids.

• Label and document each item according to shipping bills of materials (BOMs) or sales orders.

• Record all materials used, dimensions, and weights accurately for each shipment.

• Maintain and replenish inventory of shipping materials, including lumber, dunnage, fasteners, and related supplies.

• Conduct regular audits of shipping material inventory and ensure materials remain in good condition.

• Collaborate with other departments to locate missing materials and coordinate shipping needs.

• Operate a sit-down forklift to move materials, skids, and finished assemblies safely within the facility.

• Follow safety procedures and best practices when using tools, equipment, and forklifts.

• Keep the work area organized, clean, and free of hazards to support efficient operations.

Essential Skills

• Experience operating a sit-down forklift in a shop or warehouse environment.

• Carpentry skills, including measuring, cutting, and assembling wood components.

• Ability to read and use a tape measure accurately.

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds safely and repeatedly as part of daily tasks.

• Ability to operate saws, pneumatic nail guns, metal banders, and related shop tools.

• Basic documentation skills to label items and record materials, dimensions, and weights.

• Ability to follow shipping bills of materials and sales orders accurately.

• Strong attention to detail to ensure skids are properly sized and secure.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience in crating, packaging, or shipping heavy equipment or machinery.

• Experience working in a large shop, manufacturing, or assembly environment.

• Comfort collaborating with multiple departments to coordinate materials and shipments.

• Ability to manage inventory, perform basic audits, and track material usage.

• Strong safety awareness when operating tools and forklifts.

Why Work Here?

The organization offers a competitive pay structure aligned with the local market through a union environment, providing stability and clear progression. Once you convert to a permanent role, you can bid on more skilled positions and pursue higher-paying opportunities as they become available. Union tenure and paid time off begin from your official onsite start date, supporting long‑term growth and work‑life balance. After conversion, you also receive a safety shoe stipend to support your comfort and protection on the job. The operation is part of a larger, growing enterprise that continues to gain market share, which helps ensure steady work and ongoing demand for your skills.

Work Environment

You will work in a large shop environment that is organized by department, with ample space to accommodate the assembly of large machines. The area is climate controlled and supported with fans and heaters to maintain a manageable working temperature throughout the year. The role offers relatively independent work, allowing you to focus on your builds while still collaborating with other teams as needed. You will regularly use shop tools such as saws, pneumatic nail guns, metal banders, and fasteners, as well as a sit-down forklift to move materials and skids safely around the facility. Standard industrial attire and appropriate safety footwear are required, supported by a safety shoe stipend after conversion.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of St. Louis, MO.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $26.69 - $26.69/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post‑tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long‑term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in St. Louis,MO.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 19, 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.