Production Machine Operator

Rheo Engineering; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

HSA contributions

Dental, Vision, Life insurance

Disability insurance

Identity theft insurance

401(k) with 4% match

Generous PTO

Parental leave

Phone plan stipend

Employee referral program

Job summary

Rheo Engineering designs and builds powder handling equipment used to make life-saving medicine. As a Production Machine Operator, you’ll turn Engineering’s prints into accurate, finished parts on lathes, mills, press brakes, and more.

You will read prints, set up tools, run machine tools, measure to tolerance, and collaborate with Engineering to deliver quality parts on time. This shop values precision and offers strong benefits and steady work.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Experience with precision machining tools and equipment.
• Experience operating a forklift.
• Strong attention to detail and organized.
• Hands-on craftsmanship and safe operation.

Responsibilities

• Perform machinist tasks safely and effectively on each project.
• Read and interpret fabrication prints/drawings from Engineering.
• Run precision machine tools and equipment (lathe, mill, press brake, etc.).
• Use gauges to hold tolerance requirements.
• Set up inserts, fixtures, and tooling for jobs.
• Perform shop math, interpret diagrams, and data.
• Follow safety rules and operating manuals.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Team Lead to ensure on-time workpieces.
• Provide budgetary labor estimates based on machining knowledge.
• Perform routine maintenance and daily cleaning on tools/equipment.
• Deliver quality work on time with attention to detail.
• Take on other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Skills

Precision machining

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate’s Degree or related apprenticeship

Tools

Forklift operation

Machining tools & equipment

Job description

Good pay. Great benefits. Real machining work — custom parts, not the same piece over and over. If you take pride in precision and want a shop that respects your craft, keep reading.

Rheo Engineering designs and builds powder handling equipment used to make life-saving medicine. As a Production Machine Operator, you’ll turn Engineering’s prints into accurate, finished parts on lathes, mills, press brakes, and more.

What You’ll Do

• Perform all machinist-related tasks on each project safely, responsibly, and effectively
• Read and interpret fabrication prints and drawings from the Engineering Department
• Run precision machine tools and equipment, including hydraulic press brake, slip roll, vertical mill, horizontal bandsaw, drill press, hydraulic tube bender, and lathe
• Use gauges and measuring instruments to hold tolerance requirements
• Set up and use the right inserts, fixtures, and tooling for the job
• Do the shop math — perform computations, interpret technical instructions and diagrams, collect data, and solve problems
• Read and follow safety rules, operating and maintenance manuals, and procedure manuals
• Coordinate with Engineering and the Production Team Lead to get every workpiece right and on time
• Provide budgetary labor estimates for workpieces based on your machining knowledge
• Perform routine maintenance and daily cleaning on machine tools and equipment
• Deliver quality work on time — quality, efficiency, and attention to detail are top priorities in this role
• Take on other tasks as assigned by your supervisor

What We’re Looking For

Experience

• High school diploma or GED
• Experience with precision machining tools and equipment
• Experience operating a forklift

Software

• Familiarity with Microsoft Outlook and Teams for team communication
• Detail-Orientation — high attention to detail and highly organized
• Extreme Ownership — you see a project through from beginning to end, no matter the obstacle
• Respectful Communication — you communicate honestly and respectfully with your team
• Safe Operation — you run tools and equipment with skill and with safety first
• Hands-On Craftsmanship — you excel when working with your hands

Values Alignment

• Initiative: instinct for taking action to improve, solve, and deliver.
• Collaboration: proactive communication with your stakeholders.
• Competence: ability to do your job well.
• Reliability: persistent follow-through on commitments.
• Bold Humility: courage to speak, act, and listen without arrogance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree or completion of a related apprenticeship program
• Experience machining or forming stainless steel

Why Rheo

Steady work in a stable industry — the equipment you help build is used to make life-saving medicine, and that work doesn’t dry up. A small shop where you’re a name, not a number — about 100 people and a team that has your back. Real variety — custom work, not the same part over and over. And great pay and benefits to go with it.

• Leading medical insurance — consistently low rates compared to other businesses in the area
• Health Savings Account with employer contributions (plan-dependent)
• Dental, vision, and life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Identity theft insurance
• 401(k) with 4% employer match
• Generous PTO
• Paid paternity and maternity leave
• Paid cell phone plan with stipend for a new phone every 2 years
• Employee referral program

Working Conditions

This is a shop-floor position. You must be able to work on your feet for prolonged periods, bend/stoop, climb stairs and ladders, squat, kneel, push/pull, lift up to 50 lbs, and use vibratory and other basic tools, on an occasional to frequent basis depending on the project. Standard 8-hour workday, with overtime as requested by your supervisor. The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met to perform the essential functions of this role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Rheo Engineering is an equal opportunity employer.