Machine Operator

Aerotek; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Paid vacation

Life insurance

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Machine Operator in Portland, OR to support chemical mixing, processing, and automated production in an industrial setting. The role involves hands-on work on the floor and in a control room, with exposure to chemicals and required respirator use.

This is a contract‑to‑hire opportunity with a 2nd shift schedule. The position requires experience in industrial environments, machine operation, and safety awareness.

Qualifications

• Experience in an industrial production setting is required.
• Ability to perform general labor tasks in manufacturing.
• Experience operating machines in manufacturing or industrial facilities.
• Material handling experience in an industrial environment.
• Basic computer skills to monitor automated systems and data.

Responsibilities

• Assist with mixing, processing, and manufacturing of chemicals.
• Unload chemicals from trucks and rail cars and pump into storage tanks.
• Route materials through piping to mixing tanks and monitor processes.
• Operate computer systems to control and monitor automated production.
• Test batch samples for quality and ensure compliance with specs.
• Follow safety procedures and wear respirator when required.
• Work shifts including 12‑hour periods during busy times.

Skills

Industrial environment

General labor

Machine operation

Material handling

Basic computer skills

Safety with chemicals

Shift flexibility

Job description

Job Title: Machine Operator Job Description

The Machine Operator supports the safe and efficient mixing, processing, and manufacturing of chemicals in an industrial production environment. This role combines hands‑on work on the chemical mixing floor with substantial time in a control room, where you use computer systems to route, transport, and mix chemicals through automated production systems. You will unload chemicals from tanker trucks and rail cars, move materials through piping systems into mixing tanks, create new chemical blends, and perform quality checks on batch samples. The position requires periodic use of a respirator when working in close proximity to chemicals.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the mixing, processing, and manufacturing of chemicals in an industrial production facility.
• Unload chemicals from tanker trucks and rail cars by safely connecting hoses and pumping materials into storage tanks.
• Fill mixing tanks with base chemicals by routing materials through piping systems from storage tanks to mixing tanks.
• Create new chemical products by accurately mixing chemicals in designated mixing tanks according to established procedures.
• Operate computer systems to transport, route, and mix chemicals through automated production equipment.
• Monitor automated transportation, routing, and mixing processes from a control room, ensuring proper flow and operation.
• Manually add chemicals to mixing tanks when required, following safety and quality guidelines.
• Test batch samples for quality to ensure products meet specifications and production standards.
• Work at a desk behind a computer system for a significant portion of the shift to operate and monitor automated production systems.
• Wear a respirator when working in close proximity to chemicals, typically for 1030 minutes at a time depending on the task or project.
• Follow all safety protocols and procedures related to chemical handling, equipment operation, and use of personal protective equipment.
• Support production goals by adapting to varying workloads, including extended shifts when needed to meet project deadlines.

Essential Skills

• Previous experience working in an industrial environment.
• Ability to perform general labor tasks in a production or manufacturing setting.
• Experience with machine operation in a manufacturing or industrial facility.
• Material handling experience in an industrial or production environment.
• Basic computer skills to operate and monitor automated production systems.
• Ability to work safely with and around chemicals, including use of a respirator when required.
• Capability to follow detailed procedures for routing, mixing, and testing chemical batches.
• Willingness and ability to work 2nd shift hours and train on day shift as required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience working with chemicals in a manufacturing or processing environment is preferred but not required.
• Heavy industrial manufacturing experience, such as work in a paper mill or foundry, is highly beneficial.
• Technical machine operation experience in an industrial setting is a strong plus.
• Comfort working in both office-type control room settings and on an industrial chemical mixing floor.
• Ability to adapt to changing production needs, including occasional 12-hour shifts when necessary.
• Attention to detail and commitment to quality when testing and verifying chemical batches.
• Strong safety awareness and adherence to established safety procedures and use of protective equipment.

Why Work Here?

You join a stable industrial operation that values long‑term employment and offers clear opportunities for growth. Once hired directly, you can access a comprehensive benefits package that includes health and dental coverage, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life and disability insurance, business travel accident insurance, a retirement savings plan with 401(k), paid vacation, and education assistance. The environment supports skill development in both technical machine operation and computer‑controlled production systems, providing a solid foundation for building a long‑term career.

Work Environment

This role operates primarily on 2nd shift from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. During busy periods, you may work a 12‑hour shift from 2:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. to meet project deadlines. Training takes place on day shift with regular hours from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The employer is an industrial manufacturer, processor, and applicator of various types of chemicals. You will split your time between a control room, which has more of an office‑type setting where you use computers to control the flow of chemicals through piping systems and mixing tanks, and the chemical mixing floor, which is a more industrial environment in close proximity to automated chemical mixing and blending machinery. You will work with and around chemicals, and you will be required to wear a respirator when working in close proximity to chemical processes, typically for 1030 minutes at a time and for approximately 2030% of a shift.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of PORTLAND, OR.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $26.71 - $27.71/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 PORTLAND, OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 17, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in PORTLAND,OR.

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.

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.