Machine Operator – Reduction

Elmet Technologies, Inc.; Coldwater (MI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift premiums

Bonus programs

401(k) retirement match

Benefits Day One

Life insurance

Short/Long-term disability

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Referral bonus

Cross-training opportunities

Job summary

Elmet Technologies, Inc. in Coldwater, Michigan is hiring a Machine Operator for the Reduction department. You will operate and monitor equipment, perform setups and changeovers, and help ensure safety, quality, and on-time delivery.

This hands-on role offers $22.00–$25.50 per hour, day and night shift premiums, and benefits starting Day One. Develop versatile skills across multiple processes and grow with a company committed to continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Hands-on manufacturing experience preferred.
• Comfort operating and monitoring industrial equipment.
• Ability to follow production instructions and safety procedures.
• Willingness to learn and cross-train on multiple processes.

Responsibilities

• Operate manufacturing equipment safely and efficiently to meet production goals.
• Set up machines and perform product changeovers per schedule.
• Monitor processes and equipment performance for quality and efficiency.
• Complete production paperwork and logs accurately.
• Support preventive maintenance and basic repairs as needed.

Skills

Machine operation

Safety-conscious

Quality awareness

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

SAP

Job description

Description

Machine Operator – Reduction

Coldwater, Michigan | $22.00–$25.50/hour + Shift Premiums | Benefits Starting Day One

Build Your Manufacturing Skills. Learn Specialized Equipment. Grow Your Career.

Looking for a hands-on manufacturing job with competitive pay, excellent benefits, and opportunities to develop valuable technical skills? Elmet Technologies is hiring Machine Operators to join our Reduction department in Coldwater, Michigan.

In this role, you’ll operate and monitor specialized manufacturing equipment, perform machine setups and product changeovers, and help ensure production meets our quality, safety, and delivery standards. You’ll also have opportunities to learn multiple manufacturing processes, develop your equipment operation skills, and become a versatile member of our production team.

If you’re dependable, safety-conscious, comfortable working with industrial equipment, and willing to learn, we’d like to hear from you.

What’s In It for You

• $22.00–$25.50 per hour, based on experience
• 10% shift premium for day shifts (B & C)
• 20% shift premium for night shifts (A & D)
• $250 monthly perfect-attendance bonus — up to $3,000 annually
• Quarterly production bonus opportunity of up to 9%
• 4% retirement match
• Benefits starting Day One, including three medical plan options, dental, and vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Tuition assistance to support continued education
• $1,000 employee referral bonus
• Opportunities to cross-train, develop technical skills, and grow within the company

Your Schedule

We offer 12-hour rotating schedules with day and night shift opportunities.

Day Shifts – B & C

• Hours: 6:00 AM–6:00 PM
• 12-hour rotating swing shifts
• 10% shift premium

Night Shifts – A & D

• Hours: 6:00 PM–6:00 AM
• 12-hour rotating swing shifts
• 20% shift premium

Schedules include a 3-on, 2-off, 2-on, 3-off rotation.

What You’ll Do

As a Machine Operator in our Reduction department, you’ll help keep production running safely, efficiently, and consistently.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Operate manufacturing equipment safely and efficiently to meet production, quality, cost, and delivery requirements
• Set up machines and perform product changeovers according to production schedules
• Monitor manufacturing processes and equipment performance
• Cross-train on specialized Reduction department processes and equipment
• Perform daily equipment inspections and support preventive maintenance activities
• Assist with equipment repairs and troubleshooting
• Maintain accurate product identification and lot traceability throughout production
• Operate forklifts, overhead cranes, hand carts, and other industrial equipment
• Complete production paperwork, including production logs, equipment checks, work orders, and performance records
• Enter and maintain production information in SAP, including product confirmations, maintenance work orders, and purchase requisitions
• Follow inventory control procedures, including Kanban systems
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area using 5S practices
• Support additional production activities as assigned by department leadership

Learn Multiple Manufacturing Processes

One of the advantages of this role is the opportunity to develop skills across several specialized manufacturing processes.

You’ll receive cross-training to support:

• First Stage Conventional
• Second Stage Conventional
• Single Pass
• Sintering Pellets (Box Furnaces)
• First Stage Rotaries
• Second Stage Autos

Learning multiple processes helps you become a more versatile operator while building experience with specialized industrial equipment.

Requirements

You Could Be a Great Fit!

You enjoy hands-on work, take pride in doing things correctly, and understand the importance of safety and teamwork in a manufacturing environment.

You may be a strong fit if you:

• Have a high school diploma or GED, or equivalent work experience in a similar environment
• Are comfortable working around industrial machinery and production equipment
• Can work 12-hour rotating shifts, including weekends
• Are willing and able to obtain and maintain required forklift and overhead crane operator licenses
• Can follow production instructions, safety procedures, and quality requirements
• Are comfortable completing production records and learning computer-based manufacturing systems
• Pay attention to details, including product identification, equipment conditions, and production documentation
• Are willing to cross-train on multiple manufacturing processes
• Can work independently while contributing to a team environment
• Take initiative and communicate equipment or production concerns to leadership

Previous manufacturing experience is valuable, particularly experience with industrial equipment, but a willingness to learn and a commitment to safe, dependable work are equally important.

What Success Looks Like

You’ll know you’re making an impact when:

• Equipment is operated safely and production schedules are supported
• Product meets established quality requirements
• Machine setups and changeovers are completed correctly
• Production processes are monitored and potential problems are identified early
• Equipment inspections are completed and maintenance concerns are communicated
• Lot traceability and production records remain accurate
• SAP transactions and production paperwork are completed correctly
• Work areas remain clean, organized, and safe
• You continue developing skills across multiple Reduction processes
• Your team can count on you to contribute to safe, consistent production

Learn More. Do More.

Manufacturing careers grow through experience, training, and the opportunity to work with different equipment and processes.

In this role, you’ll have opportunities to build skills in:

• Industrial equipment operation
• Machine setups and product changeovers
• Furnace and Reduction manufacturing processes
• Equipment inspections and maintenance support
• Forklift and overhead crane operation
• Production monitoring and quality control
• SAP manufacturing transactions
• Inventory control and Kanban systems
• Product traceability and production documentation
• 5S workplace organization

As you become more experienced, cross-training can help expand your capabilities and prepare you for additional opportunities within manufacturing.

This Is Hands-On Manufacturing Work

This position involves working directly with industrial manufacturing equipment in an active production environment. You’ll spend your shift operating and monitoring machinery, performing setups and changeovers, inspecting equipment, handling materials, and completing production documentation.

The work requires attention to safety, quality, and equipment conditions. You’ll follow established operating procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment. You should be comfortable working 12-hour shifts and performing the physical activities associated with industrial manufacturing.

Build Products That Perform Where It Matters

Elmet Technologies is a division of The Elmet Group and a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of precision-engineered products serving demanding industries, including aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and energy. Through advanced materials processing and specialized manufacturing capabilities, we produce high-performance materials and components that support critical applications.

Our Coldwater, Michigan facility combines specialized equipment, skilled manufacturing teams, and a commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement. When you join Elmet, you’re joining a team that takes pride in the work it does and the products it makes.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re looking for competitive pay, strong benefits, specialized manufacturing experience, and opportunities to develop new skills, we’d like to hear from you.

Export Control Requirements

This position may require access to information, technology, or materials subject to U.S. export control regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be eligible to access such controlled information under applicable U.S. export control laws.

For purposes of ITAR, a U.S. person includes a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or certain protected individuals as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Search Process Note

The Elmet Group is managing this search directly and is not accepting submissions from outside recruitment firms.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Elmet Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a proud federal contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.