Entry Level Operator

Aerotek; Gurnee (IL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

Health Savings Account

Transportation benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Aerotek is hiring an Operator Trainee in Gurnee, IL to support sterilization and packaging of medical devices. You will move goods along a large conveyor, load and unload totes, and verify order details using work orders and a computer.

Physical work involves lifting up to 50 pounds, operating conveyors and forklift when needed, and adhering to safety and quality standards. This is a permanent onsite position with opportunities for skill growth and certification.

Qualifications

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly.
• Experience in a physical or manufacturing environment.
• Basic math skills for counting and verifying quantities.
• Strong attendance and reliability.
• Team-oriented and able to communicate with coworkers.
• Willingness to learn new processes and procedures.
• Mechanical inclination and comfort around machinery.
• Experience with hand tools for adjustments.
• Willingness to be trained on forklift operation.
• Able to work 12-hour rotating shifts.

Responsibilities

• Review work order sheets to identify product types and quantities.
• Retrieve products from storage and transport to conveyor area.
• Load pallets of product onto conveyor line for sterilization prep.
• Enter order information into a computer and follow image instructions for tote placement.
• Fill totes according to specifications and run through sterilization.
• Unload sterilized products returning on conveyor and totes.
• Rebuild and palletize products in original configuration using yellow shrink wrap.
• Operate a forklift as needed (≈5% of day) to move pallets safely.
• Use hand tools and follow procedures to support machine operation and production flow.
• Maintain production quality and throughput while following safety and quality guidelines.
• Work within a 12-hour rotating shift schedule.

Skills

Lifting up to 50 pounds

Physical stamina

Teamwork

Reliability

Basic math

Willingness to learn

Machine operation familiarity

Conveyor systems

Forklift experience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Hand tools

Job description

Job Title: Operator Trainee

Job Description

The operator trainee works in the production department, handling incoming and outgoing packaged products, primarily medical devices, as they move through a sterilization process. This role involves retrieving products based on work order sheets, loading and unloading packages on a large conveyor system, and ensuring items are correctly prepared for and processed through a sterilization machine.

Responsibilities

• Review work order sheets to identify product types and quantities required for each job.

• Retrieve the specified products from storage and transport them to the appropriate area of the conveyor line.

• On the loading side, unwrap pallets of product and place items onto the conveyor belt in preparation for sterilization.

• Enter order information into a nearby computer and follow the displayed image instructions to correctly place products into totes.

• Fill totes according to specifications and send them through the sterilization machine.

• On the unloading side, receive sterilized products returning on the conveyor belt and unload them from totes.

• Rebuild and palletize products in the same configuration in which they were received, using yellow shrink wrap to clearly identify sterilized pallets.

• Operate a forklift as needed, up to approximately 5% of the workday, to move pallets and materials safely within the facility.

• Use basic hand tools and follow standard procedures to support machine operation, minor troubleshooting, and production flow.

• Maintain consistent production quality and throughput while following safety, quality, and operational guidelines.

• Work effectively within a 12-hour rotating shift schedule to support continuous production operations.

• Demonstrate reliable attendance, teamwork, and a willingness to learn new tasks and procedures.

Essential Skills

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly in a physically demanding environment.

• Previous experience working in a physical job such as manufacturing, construction, landscaping, repair, or a similar hands‑on role.

• Basic math skills, including accurate addition and subtraction for counting and verifying quantities.

• Strong attendance record and reliability in following assigned schedules.

• Team‑oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with coworkers.

• Demonstrated effort and initiative in completing tasks and meeting production goals.

• Willingness to learn new processes, equipment, and procedures related to production and machine operation.

• Mechanical inclination and comfort working around machinery and conveyor systems.

• Ability to perform loading and unloading tasks safely and efficiently.

• Capacity to work 12-hour rotating shifts, including day and night schedules.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent education.

• Experience in a manufacturing or production environment is beneficial.

• Exposure to machine operation or machine operating tasks.

• Basic troubleshooting skills to support smooth production flow.

• Comfort using hand tools for simple adjustments or tasks.

• Experience operating a forklift or willingness to be trained in safe forklift operation.

• Experience in construction, landscaping, or repair work that demonstrates physical stamina and hands‑on skills.

• Ability to follow visual instructions on computer screens for proper product placement in totes.

• Readiness to obtain machine operating certification as part of career development.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from a structured, unionized environment with opportunities to increase earnings through shift premiums, certification‑based pay progression, and performance bonuses. The organization rewards safety, quality, and production with quarterly bonuses, fostering a culture that values careful work and consistent results. Team members can build long‑term stability while developing new skills in machine operation and production, supported by clear processes and collaborative colleagues. The rotating shift structure offers extended blocks of time off, supporting work‑life balance for those who prefer longer shifts with more days away from work.

Work Environment

The role is based in a production facility that operates on a 12-hour rotating schedule, supporting continuous sterilization and handling of primarily medical products and devices. The schedule alternates weekly: in one week, employees work Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; in the following week, they work Wednesday and Thursday. Shifts run from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., with a night shift premium applied. The environment is union‑based, with a monthly union membership cost, and emphasizes safety, quality, and productivity. Work is physically demanding, involving regular lifting, palletizing, loading and unloading on a larger‑than‑usual conveyor belt, and occasional forklift operation. Employees use hand tools, computers, and conveyor systems and work around industrial machinery and a sterilization process. Attire is typical for a manufacturing setting, requiring practical clothing suitable for physical work and adherence to safety and protective equipment guidelines.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Gurnee, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $21.09/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Gurnee, IL.

Application Deadline

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

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Gurnee,IL.

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.

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.