Machine Operator

Job Title: Chemical Plant Technician

Job Description

This role focuses on the safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible operation of a specialty chemicals plant that produces powdered chemicals used in polymer manufacturing for plastics and wastewater treatment applications. You will work across multiple levels of the facility, operate a variety of equipment, and handle both hazardous and non-hazardous chemical materials while closely following established procedures and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor plant machinery and equipment, including valves, pumps, instrumentation panels, and batch processing systems to ensure efficient and consistent chemical production.
• Handle powdered chemicals and other materials used in polymer and chemical processing, including dumping 10-kilogram bags and larger into containers and accurately tracking material usage.
• Perform repetitive tasks and remain in a stationary position for extended periods when required, while also moving frequently between four levels of the facility.
• Use basic math skills to measure, calibrate, blend, batch mix, and monitor plant data, ensuring all processes align with documented procedures and quality standards.
• Conduct routine inspections, quality checks, and general production activities such as packing, packaging, bagging, filling, sealing, and tablet-related processes, as applicable.
• Operate forklifts, industrial scales, power tools, and hand tools safely, and perform minor mechanical maintenance on equipment as needed.
• Troubleshoot minor mechanical and process-related issues, including basic electrical and instrumentation defects, and escalate complex problems appropriately.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of operating procedures, emergency procedures, safety protocols, and company policies, and apply them consistently in daily work.
• Monitor gauges, instrumentation panels, and process indicators, accurately report findings, and adjust equipment settings to maintain optimal process conditions.
• Lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds, climb ladders and stairways, and navigate metal grating and multi-level platforms throughout the plant.
• Work both indoors and outdoors, moving between buildings and process areas, often exposed to varying weather conditions, dust, noise, fluctuating temperatures, and chemical materials.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues at all levels, follow verbal and written instructions precisely, and perform assignments independently with minimal supervision.
• Support safe operations of utilities, bulk storage, and warehouse areas associated with the chemical plant, ensuring proper chemical handling and storage practices.
• Adhere strictly to safety guidelines, maintain a strong focus on perfect safety performance, and contribute to a culture of health, safety, and environmental responsibility.
• Participate in ongoing learning and cross-training opportunities to deepen understanding of chemical processing, process manufacturing, and plant operations.

Essential Skills

• Previous experience in a manufacturing environment, ideally in process manufacturing involving multi-step operations with liquids and solids.
• Demonstrated ability to operate mechanical equipment and machinery in a production or process manufacturing setting.
• Experience performing general production tasks such as machine operation, measuring, packing, packaging, bagging, inspection, sealing, and quality checks.
• Comfort working in heavy industrial environments with exposure to dust, noise, fluctuating temperatures, and both hazardous and non-hazardous chemical materials.
• Ability to perform heavy lifting up to 50 pounds, climb ladders and multiple levels regularly, and maintain the physical fitness required for a multi-level chemical plant.
• Strong safety record with a track history of perfect safety performance and reliable attendance in previous roles.
• Capability to follow detailed verbal and written instructions precisely and to perform tasks independently with minimal supervision.
• Basic math skills for measuring, batching, blending, calibration, and process data tracking.
• Ability to operate forklifts or willingness to learn, along with experience using industrial scales, power tools, and hand tools.
• Willingness and ability to work rotating shifts, including transitions between day and evening shifts and, in the future, extended 12-hour schedules.
• Effective communication skills to interact with all levels of staff and management in a professional manner.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in process manufacturing involving chemical mixing, batching, blending, and chemical handling.
• Exposure to environments where respirators are used, or experience wearing a respirator, is beneficial though not mandatory.
• Familiarity with troubleshooting mechanical equipment and minor electrical or instrumentation issues.
• Experience working in clean room or controlled environments within an industrial or manufacturing setting.
• Comfort working in a multi-level chemical plant with vessels, pump systems, valves, and storage in barrels or other chemical carriers.
• General labor experience in heavy industrial roles that involve machine operation, inspection, filling, tablet processes, and safety-focused work.
• Ability to adapt to changing schedules, including future 12-hour “Lego shift” rotations with regular shift changes between days and nights.

Why Work Here?

You will join a close-knit operation that combines the resources of a larger organization with the feel of a smaller, family-oriented plant. The culture emphasizes health, safety, and care for the whole person, offering unique perks such as onsite massage therapy at a very low cost. Team members enjoy multiple paid holidays, even when working on a contract basis, and have access to a dedicated learning lab where they can pursue continued education on topics both related and unrelated to the industry. This environment supports long-term growth, ongoing skill development, and a strong sense of community, making it an attractive place to build a career in manufacturing and chemical processing.

Work Environment

The work environment is a highly technical, multi-level chemical plant that includes both indoor and outdoor areas. A clean room area is air-conditioned, while the rest of the plant is not, and much of the facility features metal grating platforms across several stories. You will climb up to four levels regularly as the chemical process runs from top to bottom through vessels, pump systems, valves, and down to lower floors for storage in barrels or other carriers. The role involves exposure to dry chemical materials, dust, noise, fluctuating temperatures, and both hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals, including flammable and toxic materials. Work takes place both inside production areas and outside when moving between buildings, so you will frequently encounter various weather conditions. The plant currently operates 8-hour shifts, rotating between first and second shift every two weeks. A third shift exists but is not fully staffed, and once staffing is complete, all three shifts will rotate. In the near future, the schedule will transition to a 12-hour “Lego shift” rotation (such as 3 days on, 2 days off, 2 days on), with regular two-week rotations between days and nights, including periodic three-day weekends. Dress and personal protective equipment are aligned with heavy industrial and chemical plant standards, reflecting the safety-focused nature of the environment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of North Chesterfield, VA.

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $23.00/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 North Chesterfield,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 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.