Production Operator - 1st Shift

Molex; Little Falls (MN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Retirement plan

Education assistance

Paid vacation/time off

Infertility assistance

Paid parental leave

Adoption assistance

Job summary

Molex is seeking a Production Operator for its Aerospace & Defense Sector in Minnesota. You will operate production equipment, load materials, and ensure traceability while following regulated processes in a high-reliability setting.

The role emphasizes disciplined workmanship, AS9100/ITAR compliance, and continuous improvement within a cross-functional team. Eligibility to work on ITAR programs is required.

Qualifications

• Read and follow engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and work instructions.
• Basic measurement and arithmetic skills required.
• Eligible to work on ITAR programs and pass background checks/drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Operate production and manufacturing equipment per work instructions.
• Load materials, monitor machine performance, and adjust as needed.
• Maintain full traceability and documentation to meet AS9100/ITAR/customer requirements.
• Apply assembly techniques (crimp, solder, splice, potting, conformal coating, heat‑shrink) for repeatable results.
• Use inspection methods to verify quality and resolve nonconformances with Quality.

Skills

Read drawings

Wiring diagrams

Measurement skills

ITAR eligibility

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Crimp tooling

Crimp press qualification

Harness test equipment

Microscopes/ video inspection

Job description

Your Job

Join the Molex Aerospace & Defense Sector (ADS) manufacturing team as a Production Operator. In this role you will deliver defect-free product by applying disciplined workmanship, following regulated processes, and helping drive continual improvement in a safety- and quality-focused environment.

The Hours for this position are Monday - Friday, 6am - 2:30pm.

Our Team

You will be part of a cross-functional production team that partners closely with Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain to meet demanding customer requirements (AS9100, ITAR). The team values precision, traceability, and continuous improvement while operating in a controlled, high-reliability manufacturing environment.

What You Will Do

• Operate production and manufacturing equipment according to work instructions and process requirements.
• Load materials, monitor machine performance, and make basic adjustments as required.
• Maintain full traceability and accurate documentation for all work, ensuring compliance with AS9100, ITAR/DFARS, and customer-specific requirements.
• Apply disciplined assembly techniques (crimp, solder, splice, potting, conformal coating, heat-shrink) to deliver repeatable, auditable results.
• Use inspection and test methods (visual, dimensional, electrical testing) to verify integrity and collaborate with Quality to resolve nonconformances.
• Contribute ideas and participate in continuous improvement activities (5S, Kaizen, process simplification) to improve output, reduce defects, and shorten lead time.
• Communicate proactively with Leads, Engineers, and Inspectors to resolve issues, implement corrective actions, and support training for newer team members.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• High school diploma or GED.

• 1+ years of hands-on manufacturing or assembly experience (electronics, interconnect, or cable harness preferred).
• Able to read and follow engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and written work instructions; basic measurement and arithmetic skills.
• Eligible to work on ITAR-controlled programs (U.S. person status if required) and able to pass background checks and drug screening.
• Able to stand for extended periods, perform fine-motor tasks, and occasionally lift up to 30-50 lbs per site policy.

What Will Put You Ahead

• IPC-A-610 certification (or equivalent) and/or J-STD-001 soldering certification.
• Direct experience with cable harness assembly, crimp tooling, crimp press qualification, and harness test equipment (continuity, hi-pot).
• Familiarity with AS9100/FAI (AS9102) requirements and aerospace/defense quality systems.
• Experience working in ESD-controlled or other controlled-environment manufacturing areas and using microscopes/video inspection systems.
• Demonstrated participation in Lean/continuous improvement projects (Kaizen events, 5S implementations, productivity improvements).

For this role, we anticipate paying $17.00/hr. - $19.00/hr. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

As a Koch company, Molex is a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect components, driving innovation in electronics and supporting industries from automotive to health care and consumer to data communications. The thousands of innovators who work for Molex have made us a global electronics leader. Our experienced people, groundbreaking products and leading-edge technologies help us deliver a wider array of solutions to more markets than ever before.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify.