Entry Level Production Worker

Aerotek; Middletown (VA); On-site; USD 24,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Medical, dental & vision

Life insurance

401(k) plan

Employee discounts

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Manufacturing Operator for the 2nd shift in Middletown, VA. The role involves operating production machinery, maintaining clean and compliant facilities, and supporting production flow in a microbiology-focused environment.

Responsibilities include setup, material handling, documentation, quality checks, and collaboration with supervisors. This contract-to-hire position emphasizes training, growth, and internal promotion within a large, well-established organization.

Qualifications

• Operate production machinery safely and efficiently in a manufacturing setting.
• Perform basic equipment maintenance and report issues promptly.
• Experience in fast-paced environments such as production, food service, retail, or similar.
• Maintain meticulous production records and follow written instructions.
• Stay on task, document work, and follow safety and quality procedures.

Responsibilities

• Efficiently and safely operate assigned production machinery in accordance with procedures and safety guidelines.
• Perform simple maintenance on equipment and report malfunctions to Supervisor or Lead.
• Set up and adjust machines for different product sizes and configurations.
• Obtain correct materials from warehouse or staging areas, matching job requirements.
• Organize production flow, estimate line progress, and schedule breaks per plan and safety rules.
• Document production activities and maintain records with attention to quality and compliance.
• Monitor products for defects and take action to address quality issues.
• Assist with inventory by tracking materials and finished goods.
• Complete production tasks on time, meeting line schedules and performance targets.
• Follow room-specific instructions including PPE and cleanliness standards.
• Work at a fast pace on second shift with extended standing and focus on safety, quality, and productivity.

Skills

Operate machinery

Basic equipment maintenance

Work in fast-paced environments

Attention to detail

Documentation of work

Stand for long periods

Take direction and learn

Growth mindset

Production experience (3 months)

Job description

Job Title: Manufacturing Operator 2nd Shift

Job Description

Join a microbiology-focused manufacturing team where your work contributes to meaningful outcomes such as supporting disease detection, protecting the environment, and helping ensure food safety. In this 2nd shift Manufacturing Operator role, you work in a production environment that supports the manufacturing of agar products used in diagnostic and microbiology applications. You operate machinery, support production flow, and help maintain high standards of quality and cleanliness while being part of a well-organized facility that emphasizes training, growth, and internal promotion.

Responsibilities

• Efficiently and safely operate assigned production machinery in accordance with established procedures and safety guidelines.




• Perform simple maintenance on equipment as needed and immediately report any malfunctioning machinery to the appropriate Supervisor or Lead.




• Set up and adjust machines to run different product sizes, ensuring proper configuration for each production run.




• Obtain the correct materials for production needs from the warehouse or staging areas, verifying that materials match job requirements.




• Organize production flow on the line, ensuring materials are available, estimating line progress, and scheduling breaks in alignment with the production time schedule and safety requirements.




• Accurately document production activities, maintain required records, and consistently check personal work for quality and compliance with procedures and regulations.




• Monitor products for defects throughout the manufacturing process and take appropriate action to address quality issues.




• Assist with inventory processes by tracking materials, finished goods, and related production information.




• Complete production assignments in a timely manner, meeting departmental schedules and performance expectations for the assigned line.




• Follow posted instructions for each production room, including PPE requirements and room-specific rules, to maintain regulatory and cleanliness standards.




• Work at a sustained fast pace while standing for extended periods of time, maintaining productivity and focus throughout the shift.




• Consistently follow directions from Supervisors and Leads, demonstrate a growth mindset, and adapt to different production lines as needed.

Essential Skills

• Ability to operate production machinery safely and efficiently in a manufacturing environment.




• Capability to perform basic equipment maintenance and promptly report issues with malfunctioning machinery.




• Experience working in fast-paced environments such as production, fast food, retail, or restaurant settings.




• Strong attention to detail for inspecting products, monitoring for defects, and ensuring quality and compliance.




• Ability to accurately document work, maintain production records, and follow written and posted instructions.




• Capacity to stand for long periods and keep pace with the demands of various production lines.




• Willingness to take direction, learn new tasks, and implement feedback from Supervisors and Leads.




• Good attitude, reliability, and a demonstrated growth mindset.




• 3 months of production experience preferred but not required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with general production tasks such as packaging, assembling, and working on an assembly line.




• Experience in inspection, packing, or machine operation within a manufacturing or cleanroom environment.




• Comfort using hand tools and working in regulated, cleanliness-focused environments.




• Ability to understand and follow detailed procedures related to microbiology or pharmaceutical manufacturing.




• Proven track record of performing effectively in fast-paced roles, meeting productivity targets, and maintaining quality standards.

Why Work Here?

You join a large, well-established organization that offers a clean, organized, and professionally run work environment with strong emphasis on safety and regulatory standards. The culture supports long-term growth, with Supervisors focusing on retention, training, and promoting from within once you demonstrate your reliability and performance. Team members benefit from good long-term opportunities, access to solid benefits upon conversion, and the chance to contribute to products that have a real impact on health, safety, and the environment.

Work Environment

This role is based in a large, 325,000-square-foot manufacturing facility located on an 18-acre site, consisting of two separate buildings dedicated to producing in vitro diagnostic testing instruments and related microbiology products. Because the facility manufactures pharmaceutical and diagnostic items, it operates under high standards for cleanliness and regulatory compliance. Each production room has clear posted instructions outlining personal protective equipment requirements and room-specific rules, and production lines are organized with defined processes and expectations. The environment is clean, well organized, and professionally managed. Supervisors may be demanding initially to ensure standards are met, but once you prove yourself, the focus shifts to retention, ongoing training, and internal promotion. Work is performed on 2nd shift in a fast-paced production setting, with extended periods of standing and consistent attention to safety, quality, and productivity.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.90 - $20.90/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 Contract to Hire position based out of Middletown, VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 9, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Middletown,VA.

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.