Floater Assistant Operator

Zekelman Industries; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Production incentive bonus

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, vision

Tuition assistance

Paid vacation & holidays

Employee loyalty awards

Job summary

Zekelman Industries’ Atlas Tube division in Chicago, IL, seeks a Floater Assistant Operator to safely run mill equipment, calibrate tools, and support production. The role reports to the Production Foreman and requires crane certification, strong mechanical aptitude, and a commitment to safety in a fast-paced environment.

The position offers competitive pay ($27.40/hr) plus a production incentive bonus, with opportunities for cross-training and growth in a leading steel tubing manufacturer.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of manufacturing experience preferred.
• Associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or trade certification preferred.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and basic math skills; ability to read precision instruments (micrometers, calipers).
• Crane certification required; commitment to safe work practices and predictable attendance.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate mill equipment safely and follow safety policies.
• Troubleshoot problems with the mill crew and communicate issues clearly.
• Ensure quality requirements are met and relay specs to the crew.
• Maintain offline requirements to support quick-change operation.
• Assist maintenance with equipment repairs and calibration.

Skills

Strong mechanical aptitude

Basic math skills

Good communication

Crane certification

Education

Associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or trade certification

Job description

You may not know our name, but you know our products. What we make is part the places where we live, work and play – all day, everyday.

Zekelman is a family of companies — 100% domestic manufacturers — with a legacy dating back to 1877. We’re proud to be the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and the leading innovator in multi-family housing development.

We believe in what we build and what we build, builds the world around us. Hospitals, hotels, schools, bridges, airports and more.

Come build a career you believe in.

About The Role

Atlas Tube, a division of Zekelman Industries, is seeking a Floater Assistant Operator for our facility in Chicago, IL. Reporting to the Production Foreman, the Assistant Operator will safely operate machines and maintain awareness of machine safety requirements. This role involves operating individual equipment on the mill, including the coil crane, butt welder, cutoff saw, bundler, table, and/or offline, performing area housekeeping, and assisting in other production operations as needed. This position is ideal for someone with strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Pay: $27.40 plus Production Incentive Bonus

What You’ll Do

• Perform duties in accordance with company safety policies and report unsafe conditions.
• Troubleshoot, solve, and communicate problems to the mill crew.
• Communicate quality requirements to the mill crew and ensure they are met.
• Maintain offline requirements to ensure quick-change operation.
• Assist maintenance in making equipment repairs.
• Calibrate micrometers at the start of each shift and during changeovers.
• Assist in changeovers and inspect tooling condition at the end of each rolling, communicating the need for reconditioning.
• Support other team positions and functions as necessary.
• Maintain housekeeping standards in all work areas.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Participate in training and cross-training of new and current team members.
• Perform preventive maintenance (PM) activities as assigned.
• Ensure regular, full-time, predictable onsite attendance per the posted schedule.
• Lead and promote health and safety work practices as required by regulatory agencies and company policy.

Who You Are

• Experience: 5+ years of manufacturing experience preferred.
• Education: Associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or trade certification preferred.
• Technical Skills: Strong mechanical aptitude and basic math skills; visual acuity to read and record numerical data; previous experience with precision instruments (micrometers, calipers, etc.) preferred.
• Soft Skills: Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Additional Qualifications: Crane certification required; commitment to safe work practices and predictable attendance.

Physical Abilities

• Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to lift, climb, bend, stoop, push, and pull; must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Work environment includes a loud manufacturing/industrial setting.
• Regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles; occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions.

What You’ll Get

Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental coverage. Additional benefits include:

• Competitive Compensation
• Bonus Plan & Profit-Sharing Opportunities
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Paid Vacation & Holidays
• Employee Loyalty Awards

Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits. In addition, we have an amazing tuition assistance program, a bonus plan, a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, immediate vesting, and much more.

M/F/D/V

We are Zekelman Industries.

We manufacture superior quality tubular and related products, and provide outstanding service for our valued customers.

We seek to continuously advance the skills and opportunities of our employees, utilizing the latest technology and management tools available to consistently increase profitability and the enterprise value of Zekelman Industries and of our customers.