Operator Mechanic - 1st Shift

J.L. Clark; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 37,952 - 39,909; Full time

Job summary

J L Clark in Rockford, IL is hiring for a Full Time position requiring experience in manufacturing and machine operation. The role involves installing, adjusting, and maintaining fabrication equipment while performing quality checks and following strict safety protocols.

Applicants should have vocational or high school education and must demonstrate prior manufacturing experience. This position does not require supervision and offers opportunities to consult on methods to improve production efficiency.

Qualifications

• Prior manufacturing experience, including machine operation and entry level maintenance work.
• Preferred: experience with blank and draw/body making machines.
• Able to read and interpret engineering prints.

Responsibilities

• Install, adjust, and maintain all fabrication equipment.
• Read and interpret product and tool engineering drawings.
• Perform quality checks and resolve minor tooling issues.
• Maintain safe and orderly work areas.

Skills

Prior manufacturing experience

Machine operation

Technical measurement tools

Reading engineering prints

Education

High School or vocational education

Job description

Job Details

Level: Experienced | Job Location: Rockford, IL | Position Type: Full Time | Education Level: High School | Salary Range: $27.55 - $28.97 per hour | Travel: None | Shift: Any Shift | Category: Manufacturing

Position Summary

Capable of performing all duties and responsibilities required for Die Setting and Machine Operating. Works without supervision to install, adjust and maintain all fabrication equipment, including complex equipment. Consults on improved methods or alternatives to tools and production lines. Responsible for setting up and maintaining efficient production of assigned equipment.

Education, Training & Experience

Education equivalent to vocational or high school, may include short specialty courses.

Qualifications

• Required: Prior manufacturing experience, including machine operation and entry level maintenance work.
• Preferred: Prior experience with blank and draw/body making machines, computer‑driven logic programs, and use of technical measurement tools and gauges within tight tolerances. Experience in reading engineering prints.

Relationships

Inspection, Machine Shop, Tool Room, Maintenance, and Fabrication personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Install, adjust, and maintain all fabrication equipment.
• Read and interpret product and tool engineering drawings for proper installation of new and existing tools.
• Operate assigned line, perform quality checks, hourly counts, pull jam, daily service to the production line, and diagnose/resolve minor tooling issues.
• Perform professional maintenance (PM) tasks and record findings, track scheduling in eMaintenance.
• Perform troubleshooting to resolve quality and performance issues, react to deviations from standards, and make adjustments.
• Maintain housekeeping: keep work areas, aisles, and storage areas safe, orderly, and free of obstructions; store items properly; conduct general housekeeping, inventories, re‑warehousing, and sweeping when needed.
• Observe safety rules at all times, report unsafe conditions and any dropped/spilled loads immediately.
• Perform duties assigned by supervisor/leads.

Physical Demands

Job duties include physical tasks as listed above; ability to install, adjust, and maintain equipment; perform maintenance; and follow safety protocols.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Supervised By

Lead die setter/fabrication manager.