General Production Worker

Aerotek; Watertown (SD); On-site; USD 43,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Medical, dental & vision

401(k)

Job summary

Aerotek in Watertown, SD is hiring a General Production Worker to operate production machinery, assist with assembly, and perform quality checks. You will load, monitor, and adjust equipment, inspect parts, and ensure documentation is accurate in a climate-controlled facility.

The role includes working up to 60 hours per week after training, with shift premiums and opportunities for growth within a stable manufacturing environment. OT and weekend shifts may be available.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of machine operating experience in manufacturing.
• 1+ year of assembly experience with mechanical/components.
• 1+ year of quality inspection experience.
• Ability to read blueprints and work orders.
• Willingness to work up to 60 hours per week after training.

Responsibilities

• Operate production machinery to meet specifications and standards.
• Load components and materials, ensure correct positioning for machines.
• Offload finished parts and route to staging, inspection, or packaging.
• Perform hand assembly and packaging per work instructions.
• Seal and pack finished products for shipment or processing.
• Conduct visual and basic dimensional inspection for quality.
• Make minor machine adjustments and assist with setups.
• Follow directions from leads and attend daily huddles.
• Read work orders, blueprints, and quality check sheets.
• Maintain 5S and safety practices; report issues promptly.

Skills

Machine operation

Assembly

Quality inspection

Blueprint reading

Documentation & tracking

Safety compliance

Overtime willingness

Job description

Job Title: General Production Worker - $20.50 to $24 AN HOUR - OT AVAILABLE

Job Description

The Machine Operator sets up, operates, and monitors production machinery to manufacture quality products according to customer specifications. This role combines machine operation with hand assembly, packaging, and visual inspection of parts. You will load and offload components, make minor machine adjustments, and follow detailed instructions and safety rules while working in a clean, climate-controlled, and highly organized production environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate production machinery and equipment to produce high-quality products that meet customer specifications and internal standards.
• Load assembly and multi-station machines with components, including loading hoppers and ensuring materials are available and correctly positioned.
• Offload finished or semi-finished parts from machines and move them to the appropriate staging, inspection, or packaging areas.
• Perform hand assembly of components and products as required, following documented work instructions and assembly procedures.
• Carry out sealing, packaging, and packing of finished products to prepare them for shipment or further processing.
• Conduct visual and basic dimensional inspection of parts to verify quality, identify defects, and ensure compliance with quality requirements.
• Make minor adjustments to machinery and equipment, such as clearing jams, adjusting feeds, or minor setup changes, to maintain smooth operation.
• Follow work direction from Production Leads and Production Supervisors, including attending Tier Meetings and daily production huddles.
• Read and understand accurate electronic and paper documentation, including work orders, blueprints, job travelers, and quality check sheets.
• Monitor machines during operation, identify basic issues, and perform routine tasks such as setups, preventive maintenance (PMs), and troubleshooting in departments that require more in-depth machine operating duties.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, adhering to 5S and safety practices to support a safe and efficient production environment.
• Collaborate with team members across multiple departments as needed, adapting to different machines, processes, and production priorities.
• Follow all safety rules and guidelines, including the use of required personal protective equipment, and immediately report any safety concerns or equipment issues.
• Work scheduled shifts and overtime as needed, including the possibility of working in different departments based on production demands.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of machine operating experience in a production or manufacturing environment.
• Minimum of 1 year of assembly experience, including mechanical or component assembly using work instructions or blueprints.
• Minimum of 1 year of quality inspection experience, including inspection of parts for defects and adherence to specifications.
• Proficiency in machine operation, including starting, stopping, monitoring, and making minor adjustments to production equipment.
• Experience with general production tasks such as material handling, loading and unloading parts, and working on a production line.
• Ability to perform assembly and packaging work, including sealing, packing, and preparing products for shipment.
• Basic blueprint reading skills to understand product requirements and machine setup instructions.
• Mechanical aptitude and comfort working with mechanical assembly and machine components.
• Ability to use computers or electronic systems for work orders, documentation, and production tracking.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in quality inspection and documentation.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions, including electronic and paper documentation.
• Willingness and ability to work up to 60 hours per week when required after completion of training.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with multi-station machines or automated production equipment.
• Experience in both slow-paced and fast-paced manufacturing environments, with the ability to adapt to different production speeds.
• Experience performing minor setups, preventive maintenance (PMs), and basic troubleshooting on production machinery.
• Comfort working across multiple departments and learning new processes and equipment as needed.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain a clean and orderly work area.
• Reliability and consistency in attendance and performance in a high-volume production setting.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Production Leads, Supervisors, and team members in a structured production environment.

Why Work Here?

You will work in a climate-controlled, clean, and very organized facility that prioritizes safety and quality. The business is extremely stable and reliable, with ongoing work that includes supporting military-related production and plans to expand the facility. You can earn shift premiums, including enhanced pay for second, third, and weekend shifts, with weekend schedules that allow you to work fewer hours while being paid for more. The environment supports upward mobility, offering opportunities to move into other skill sets and departments as you grow. This setting provides a structured, well-run shop where you can build long-term skills and advance your career in manufacturing.

Work Environment

The work takes place in a climate-controlled, very clean, and safe production shop with over 100 machines and multiple departments. You may run 1–2 machines regularly, with the potential to be assigned to different departments depending on production needs. Some areas are slower paced and focus more on loading and unloading, while others are fast paced and involve more in-depth machine operating tasks such as setups, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting. Standard shifts include first shift (Monday–Thursday, 5:45 a.m.–4:15 p.m.), second shift (Monday–Thursday, 4:30 p.m.–3:00 a.m.), and a third shift (Monday–Thursday, 7:30 p.m.–6:00 a.m., primarily for maintenance). A weekend shift runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6:00 a.m.–6:30 p.m., with a weekend premium that allows you to work 36 hours and be paid for 40. After a training period of approximately 1–4 weeks, you may work up to 60 hours per week, including opportunities for overtime before or after regular shifts or on additional days, depending on the shift. You should be prepared to move between departments as needed to support production. Required personal protective equipment includes grounded boots, hearing protection, and eye protection, which must be worn in designated areas at all times.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Watertown, SD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $42640.00 - $49920.00/yr.

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.

Full BenefitsClimate controlled, very organized, and safe shopDo work for the militaryExtremely stable and reliable businessLooking to expand their facilityUpward mobility to other skillsets within the facilityOT: Ability to work up to 60 hours a week

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Watertown,SD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 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.