Operator Trainee

Aerotek; Gurnee (IL); On-site; USD 26,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k)

Life Insurance

PTO / Vacation or Sick Leave

Job summary

Aerotek is hiring an Operator Trainee in Gurnee, IL for a manufacturing facility handling medical products through sterilization. You will load/unload, follow computer instructions, and maintain safe workflow on the line.

Responsibilities include loading pallets, entering orders, and moving totes through sterilization with a forklift as needed. This is a 12-hour rotating shift in a unionized environment with night-shift premiums available.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience in production, machine operation, or similar roles preferred.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly.
• Willingness to rotate 12-hour shifts and operate forklift if trained.
• Comfort with basic computer systems to enter orders.

Responsibilities

• Review work orders to retrieve items from storage.
• Load packages onto conveyor belt per order specs.
• Enter order information on a nearby computer.
• Ensure totes are filled and sent through sterilization.
• Unload sterilized totes and re-palletize as received.
• Apply shrink wrap to pallets for identification.
• Operate forklift up to ~5% of the day.
• Support machine operation and basic troubleshooting.
• Follow safety, quality, and production standards.

Skills

Physical labor

Lifting 50 lbs

Basic math

Reliability

Team player

Work ethic

Willingness to learn

Mechanical aptitude

Machine operation

Safety standards

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Forklift operation

Hand tools

Production equipment

Job description

Job Title: Operator Trainee Job Description

The Operator Trainee works in the production department handling medical products and devices as they move through a sterilization process. In this role, you retrieve products based on work orders, load and unload packages on a large conveyor system, and ensure items are correctly placed into totes for sterilization. You follow visual instructions on a nearby computer, operate production equipment, and help maintain an efficient and safe workflow on the loading and unloading sides of the line.

Responsibilities

• Review work order sheets, identify product types and quantities, and accurately retrieve the required items from designated storage areas.
• Load packages onto the conveyor belt on the loading side by unwrapping pallets and placing products onto the belt in accordance with order specifications.
• Use a nearby computer to enter order information and follow the displayed image instructions to correctly place products into totes for sterilization.
• Ensure totes are properly filled, organized, and sent through the sterilization machine according to established procedures.
• On the unloading side, receive sterilized product from the conveyor belt, unload totes, and re-palletize items in the same configuration in which they were received.
• Apply yellow shrink wrap to pallets to clearly identify products that have been sterilized and are ready for shipment or further processing.
• Operate a forklift as needed, up to approximately 5% of the workday, to move pallets and materials safely around the production area.
• Use basic hand tools and demonstrate mechanical aptitude to support machine operation, minor adjustments, and troubleshooting within the production line.
• Perform basic troubleshooting of production and machine operation issues, escalating more complex problems to appropriate personnel when necessary.
• Maintain consistent productivity while following safety, quality, and production standards in a manufacturing environment.
• Work effectively as part of a team, communicate clearly with coworkers, and contribute to a cooperative and supportive work atmosphere.
• Demonstrate reliable attendance, strong effort, and a willingness to learn new tasks and procedures.
• Follow all company policies, safety guidelines, and quality standards throughout the production and sterilization process.
• Support general production activities such as loading, unloading, machine operating, and material handling in manufacturing, construction, landscaping, or repair-style work settings.

Essential Skills

• Experience working in a physical job, such as manufacturing, construction, landscaping, or repair, with regular manual labor.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds safely and repeatedly throughout a 12-hour shift.
• Basic math skills, including addition and subtraction, to read and interpret work orders and production documentation.
• Good attendance record and reliability in meeting scheduled shifts and work commitments.
• Strong team player mindset with the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with coworkers.
• Demonstrated effort and a strong work ethic in fast-paced, production-oriented environments.
• Willingness to learn new processes, machine operation procedures, and troubleshooting techniques.
• Mechanical inclination and comfort working with machines, hand tools, and production equipment.
• Ability to perform loading and unloading tasks, operate or support machine operation, and handle materials safely.
• Comfort working in a manufacturing environment involving medical products and devices and following strict quality and safety standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent education.
• Experience in production, machine operation, or machine operating roles in the manufacturing industry.
• Exposure to troubleshooting production or equipment issues and identifying basic solutions.
• Familiarity with hand tools and general mechanical repair or maintenance tasks.
• Experience in environments similar to construction, landscaping, or repair that require physical stamina and hands-on work.
• Ability to operate a forklift or willingness to be trained to operate a forklift as needed.
• Comfort working with computer systems to enter orders and follow visual instructions for product placement.
• Readiness to work rotating 12-hour shifts and adapt to changing daily assignments, such as loading, unloading, or forklift support.
• Openness to working in a unionized environment.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers a structured production environment with clear processes, support for learning machine operation, and the chance to grow your skills over time. Team members receive shift premiums for night work, quarterly bonuses tied to safety, quality, and production performance, and the stability of a unionized shop. The culture values reliability, teamwork, and effort, rewarding those who show strong attendance, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to safe, high-quality work.

Work Environment

The role is based in a manufacturing facility that processes medical products and devices through a sterilization line. You work on and around a larger-than-usual conveyor belt, handling totes, pallets, and shrink-wrapped product. The schedule follows a 12-hour rotating pattern: Week 1 includes Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; Week 2 includes Wednesday and Thursday. Shifts run from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., with a night shift premium available. The environment is physical and fast-paced, involving regular lifting up to 50 pounds, standing for long periods, and performing repetitive loading and unloading tasks. You may operate a forklift for a small portion of the day and use hand tools and production equipment as part of daily work. The facility operates as a union-based shop, and dress is typical for a manufacturing setting, with appropriate work attire and safety gear required to maintain a safe and clean production area.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Gurnee, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $19.00 - $21.09/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 job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Gurnee,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 10, 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.