Machine Operator

Job Title: Machine Operator

Job Description

This role focuses on operating wire respool, braiding, and extrusion machines to support cable production. You will primarily run a respool machine to consolidate or remove wire for various jobs, while also assisting in the stock room and quality areas as needed. The position requires careful attention to customer specifications, strong mechanical aptitude, and the ability to perform basic math to adjust orders accurately. We currently have 1st and 2nd shift openings.

Responsibilities

• Operate the respool machine as a primary responsibility, taking large spools of wire and consolidating or removing wire to support different production jobs.
• Support stock room activities by moving and organizing rails of wire and ensuring materials are available for production.
• Assist with quality-related tasks as needed to ensure finished products meet customer specifications and internal standards.
• Set up and operate various wire braiding machines to produce cable according to specified requirements.
• Operate extrusion machines to apply jackets to wire, ensuring the correct jacket color and material are used for each job.
• Perform jacketing operations by feeding raw wire through the extrusion machine, threading it through multiple guides, connecting it to the rail, and monitoring the process as the liquid rubber or plastic jacket is applied and cooled before winding onto wooden spools.
• Monitor the cooling process to ensure the jacketed wire passes through water and cools properly so it can be wrapped cleanly and consistently on the spool.
• Perform plastic wrapping operations to apply clear plastic around wire so it remains secure and does not unwind, using this process as part of standard machine operation.
• Bundle multiple types of finished wire by aligning them correctly, feeding them through the proper ports, and ensuring they are combined, wrapped with clear plastic, and rolled onto wooden spools.
• Move rails of wire to the appropriate machines, ensuring the correct wire types and sizes are staged and ready for production.
• Verify that the correct wires are set up on machines according to customer specifications, including length, order size, and other required attributes.
• Use basic math skills to adjust orders accurately, including calculating lengths, order quantities, and minor changes to customer orders.
• Load raw materials into machines before production runs and unload finished materials after production runs are complete.
• Perform basic changeovers on machines as needed to switch between different jobs, wire types, or configurations.
• Use hand tools, tape measures, calipers, and other measuring tools to set up machines, verify dimensions, and confirm product accuracy.
• Conduct basic mechanical troubleshooting to address minor machine issues and keep production running smoothly.
• Follow production instructions, blueprints, or job travelers to ensure all work aligns with customer and internal requirements.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area, following facility standards for housekeeping and safety.
• Work independently as a self-starter, managing tasks efficiently in a lean production environment.
• Collaborate with other production team members as needed to support overall output and meet production schedules.

Essential Skills

• Experience operating production machinery such as extrusion machines, braiding machines, or similar equipment in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in machine operation, including loading, unloading, and feeding materials into machines.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and the ability to be mechanically inclined when working with equipment and tools.
• Ability to perform basic math, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, to adjust order lengths, quantities, and specifications.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds to move rails of wire and other materials to appropriate machines.
• Comfort using hand tools, tape measures, and calipers to set up machines and verify product dimensions.
• Capability to perform basic troubleshooting on mechanical equipment to resolve minor issues.
• Experience with general production, assembly, and general labor tasks in a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to work as a self-starter in a lean environment, managing time and tasks with minimal supervision.
• Willingness and ability to load raw material and unload finished material after production runs.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior cable production experience, including working with wire, cable, or similar products, is a strong plus.
• Experience as a machine operator, extrusion machine operator, or general production operator is beneficial.
• Familiarity with changeovers on production equipment to switch between different jobs or product types.
• Exposure to blueprint reading or working from production instructions is helpful.
• Experience with braiding processes or bundling multiple wires into a single assembly is advantageous.
• Comfort working with mechanical systems and learning new machinery and processes.
• Strong attention to detail when working with customer specifications and order requirements.

Why Work Here?

The organization offers a stable, long-term opportunity in a close-knit production environment, with a strong desire to bring on individuals who plan to grow and stay for an extended period. Team members benefit from competitive benefits, a 401(k) plan, and yearly evaluations that provide opportunities for pay increases. There is room to take on additional responsibilities over time, allowing motivated employees to expand their skills and advance within the operation.

Work Environment

The facility is organized and clean, providing a structured and orderly production environment. The team consists of approximately 18–25 people, with about 15–20 working on the shop floor, creating a small, focused operation where individuals can concentrate on their tasks. The atmosphere leans toward independent work, with employees primarily engaged in their own responsibilities rather than constant interaction. Work hours typically run from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., offering daytime shifts in a manufacturing setting that uses wire braiding machines, extrusion machines, and related production equipment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Bristol, CT.

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $22.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Bristol,CT.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

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.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.