Production Operator- 1st Shift (Stamping OR Molding)

Flint Hills Resources; Little Falls (MN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plan

Paid time off

Educational assistance

Infertility assistance

Job summary

Molex Aerospace & Defense Solutions (ADS) is seeking a Production Operator for 1st shift to operate stamping or molding equipment while following work instructions and safety rules. You will support quality and process improvements in a lean manufacturing environment.

You will load materials, monitor equipment, document production records, and collaborate with a cross‑functional team to meet production and safety goals in a high‑reliability aerospace setting.

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Experience in manufacturing or production settings.
• Ability to follow written work instructions and safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Operate production equipment following work instructions and safety rules.
• Load materials, start and monitor equipment, perform routine adjustments.
• Inspect finished and in-process products for defects and dimensional conformance.
• Use basic inspection tools as required by the process.
• Complete production records and traceability documentation accurately.
• Collaborate with team to meet production, quality, and safety goals.

Skills

Manufacturing environment

Follow written work instructions

Basic math & measurement

Stand for long periods

Material handling & lifting

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Gauges

Job description

Production Operator- 1st Shift (Stamping OR Molding)

Join the Molex Aerospace & Defense Solutions (ADS) manufacturing team as a Production Operator. In this role, you will operate manufacturing equipment and support production processes to deliver high-quality, defect-free products. You will follow established work instructions, monitor equipment and product quality, and contribute to a safe, efficient, and continuous-improvement-focused manufacturing environment.

This posting may support opportunities within our Molding or Stamping operations, based on experience, qualifications, and business needs.

Our Team

You will be part of a production team that works closely with Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and other manufacturing partners to meet production goals and customer requirements. Our team values safety, quality, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement while manufacturing products for demanding aerospace and defense applications.

What You Will Do

• Operate production equipment and machinery according to established work instructions, procedures, and safety requirements.
• Load raw materials and components, start and monitor equipment, and perform routine machine adjustments within established guidelines.
• Inspect finished and in-process products to identify defects and ensure products meet quality and dimensional requirements.
• Use basic inspection and measurement equipment as required by the manufacturing process.
• Complete production records, traceability documentation, and other required paperwork accurately.
• Monitor equipment and processes for abnormalities and elevate quality, equipment, or production concerns to the appropriate Lead, Technician, Quality, or Engineering partner.
• Perform routine equipment and work-area activities such as cleaning, material handling, basic troubleshooting, and preventative operator checks.
• Follow all safety, quality, environmental, and regulatory requirements applicable to the work area.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities, including 5S, waste reduction, productivity improvements, and process improvements.
• Work collaboratively with team members to meet production, quality, delivery, and safety objectives.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Experience working in a manufacturing, production, machine-operation, or similar hands‑on environment.
• Ability to follow written work instructions, procedures, and safety requirements.
• Basic math and measurement skills.
• Ability to identify quality issues and communicate concerns to appropriate team members.
• Ability to work safely around manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• Ability to stand for extended periods and perform repetitive manufacturing tasks throughout the shift.
• Ability to lift and move materials as required by the position and site guidelines.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Previous experience operating molding, stamping, press, or other automated manufacturing equipment.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, automotive, electronics, connector, or other high‑precision manufacturing environments.
• Experience using calipers, micrometers, gauges, or other inspection and measurement tools.
• Experience performing basic machine setup, changeovers, adjustments, or troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with manufacturing quality systems, traceability requirements, and controlled work instructions.
• Experience working in a Lean manufacturing environment and participating in 5S, Kaizen, or other continuous improvement activities.

For this role, we anticipate paying $17 - $20 per hour. 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

Aerospace & Defense Solutions (ADS)

Molex's Aerospace & Defense Solutions (ADS) Division delivers mission‑critical connectivity, signal technologies, and electronic solutions designed for the most demanding environments. Drawing on decades of engineering excellence and innovation, we support aerospace, defense, space, and other high‑reliability markets where performance is essential and failure is not an option.

From enabling next‑generation communications and data transfer to providing rugged interconnect and electronic solutions for mission‑critical systems, our technologies help customers advance capabilities across air, land, sea, and space. At ADS, we combine deep technical expertise, operational excellence, and a culture of principled entrepreneurship to create value for our customers, communities, and one another.

Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense through innovation, reliability, and purpose‑driven solutions.

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.

In order to comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, this position requires applicants to either provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or be eligible to receive an export authorization (a license) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations.

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 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.