ASSEMBLY OPERATOR JOB DESCRIPTION

An Assembly Operator builds finished goods from components, following standardized work instructions on a production line where takt time and lean principles govern pace and sequence. Every unit leaving the line reflects this person's judgment on fit, function, and conformance. Defects missed here reach the customer. Working across stations that use pneumatic, hydraulic, and torque tools, the role carries direct accountability for production rate, quality documentation, and safe equipment operation within a discrete manufacturing environment.

As the Assembly Operator, you are accountable for executing assigned build sequences accurately and maintaining quality conformance and output rate to keep the production line on target. You operate within a manufacturing cell, reporting to a production supervisor or lead assembler, with a scope that spans hands-on assembly, first-level troubleshooting, and routine documentation across assigned shifts.

Career Impact: Demonstrated proficiency with calibration specs, soldering, and blueprint reading in a discrete manufacturing environment builds measurable technical credibility that transfers across industrial sectors and supports advancement to lead assembler or production technician roles.

Business Impact: The accuracy of each assembled unit directly determines defect rates and on-time shipment figures that downstream quality audits and customer delivery commitments depend on.

Growth Opportunity: Exposure to WCM and lean methodologies, combined with cross-cell rotation, expands your process knowledge and positions you for supervisory or continuous-improvement responsibilities as the production scope widens.

• Apply, align, and fasten components to chassis or assemblies in the required build sequence and order.
• Execute quality checks against calibration specs, blueprints, and bills of materials to confirm conformance before units advance.
• Monitor equipment parameters, including pressure, torque, and calibration, reporting deviations to the production supervisor promptly.
• Complete production documentation, including daily output logs, defect records, and batch data entries, with accuracy.
• Maintain workstation cleanliness and organization to support safe process flow and lean housekeeping standards.
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks and first-response adjustments to keep assigned equipment operating within acceptable limits.
• Support new assembler onboarding and cross-cell coverage when lead assembler absence or production demand requires it.

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field or, more commonly, a high school diploma or GED, or equivalent work experience.
• One or more years of assembly or manufacturing experience, with demonstrated mechanical aptitude in a production environment.
• Ability to read and follow work instructions, blueprints, rout sheets, and calibration specifications with precision.
• Proficiency operating pneumatic, hydraulic, torque, and hand tools safely and correctly.
• Physical capability to lift up to 50 pounds repeatedly and stand or move throughout an extended shift.
• Working knowledge of safety practices, PPE requirements, and lean or WCM production principles.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to maintain pace and quality standards simultaneously.

• Three or more years of experience in electro-mechanical or heavy industrial assembly, including soldering and ESD precaution awareness.
• Forklift certification or training relevant to production floor material handling.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methods and prior participation in waste-elimination or kaizen activities.
• Basic computer skills sufficient to enter production data into an electronic log or manufacturing execution system.

• Units-per-hour rate against takt time, tracking pace compliance on the assigned production line.
• First-pass quality rate, measuring the percentage of assembled units passing inspection without rework.
• Defect count per shift, attributed to stations where this operator holds build accountability.
• Documentation accuracy rate, based on audit of daily output logs and batch records completed without errors.
• Preventive maintenance compliance percentage, reflecting on-time completion of assigned equipment checks.
• Typical tools: pneumatic and torque hand tools (commonly impact wrenches, torque drivers); soldering equipment; basic calibration instruments.

• Base Salary Range: $18 to $24 per hour, depending on experience and industry segment
• Bonus: Shift differential and occasional production or attendance incentive pay
• Equity: Not typically offered at this level
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; employer contribution common
• PTO: Two weeks accrued annually; may increase with tenure
• Common Perks: Steel-toed footwear allowance, overtime availability, on-the-job technical training

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Work authorization in the United States is required for all positions. Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check and, where applicable, a pre-employment drug screening consistent with applicable law. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process upon request. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.

The Assembly Operator delivers end-to-end sequence assembly by tracking production-per-hour data, managing lot serial numbers, and maintaining equipment on the production line. Working within a cross-functional setting alongside Quality, Warehouse, Engineering, and HR teams, this role ensures output meets established quality and productivity standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate a particular assembly sequence to meet quality and productivity standards.
• Complete the daily production report.
• Perform general assembly operations according to established production and quality procedures.
• Maintain equipment and materials assigned to the production line.
• Track production-per-hour information from the rout sheet for use as a performance reference.
• Manage material information related to lot serial numbers and component locations in the warehouse or supermarket.
• Maintain internal relationships with Quality, warehouse, Engineering, and HR.
• Apply normal physical and mental effort, with significant visual effort.

Required Qualifications

• High school education preferred.
• No prior experience required.
• Ability to operate pneumatic, manual, electric, and microscopic machines.
• Skilled in filling out the production labor card and interpreting the product rout sheet.
• Knowledge of quality standards for assembled products.
• Knowledge of safety and occupational health practices.

Embedded within a manufacturing production environment, the Assembly Operator performs assembly operations according to standardized work instructions while monitoring machine readiness and conducting basic quality audits. Working closely with management and colleagues, this role sustains production flow and quality standards through process improvement participation and effective communication.

Core Functions

• Perform assembly operations according to standardized work instructions while maintaining production and quality standards.
• Check machine readiness and continuously monitor machine operations.
• Ensure the correct components are used in production.
• Check product conformity through basic quality auditing, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Clean the workstation, machines, tools, and equipment.
• Implement identified process improvements.
• Participate in knowledge sharing and learning.

Qualifications & Experience

• High school diploma required; technical school preferred.
• Minimum of three years of experience in a manufacturing or production environment preferred, including assembly, soldering, testing, and equipment maintenance.
• Knowledge of electrical and pneumatic tools, with experience as a product test operator.
• Familiarity with electrostatic discharge precautions.
• High level of interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with management and colleagues.
• Team player, proactive, and committed to providing high-quality work.
• Able to work overtime and flexible shift hours when required.

Reporting to production management, the Assembly Operator shapes daily output on a food manufacturing line by performing quality checks against HACCP procedures, operating assigned machines, and packaging products correctly. Partnering with line supervisors and quality contacts to address non-conformances, this role upholds food safety standards and supports overall plant efficiency.

Primary Duties

• Follow all company policies and a culture of food safety.
• Ensure food quality and safety, including adherence to HACCP procedures, checks, and completed documentation.
• Contact responsible persons to ensure corrective action for non-conformances.
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work area and equipment.
• Adhere to attendance guidelines and wear mandatory Personal Protective Equipment.
• Perform regular quality checks by reading and verifying line orders and spec sheets.
• Complete necessary paperwork and package products correctly.
• Set up machines with required supplies and assist with order set-ups.
• Thread papers and films and make minor adjustments to assigned machines.
• Operate the line as efficiently and safely as possible, using hand tools.
• Perform repetitive motions in a fast-paced environment and lift to 35 pounds without assistance.
• Keep the assigned area clean and follow all safety rules.

Skills & Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent preferred.
• Previous manufacturing experience preferred.
• Able to read and write English.
• Able to read a tape measure or ruler and a weight scale and transfer results to documents.
• Able to perform basic math skills, including addition and subtraction.
• Team player with a positive attitude who works well with others.
• Understands the importance of safety, quality, housekeeping, and teamwork.
• Dependable and flexible, able to work in other areas of production as needed.
• Able to work with minimum supervision in a fast-paced environment.

Sitting at the intersection of lean manufacturing methodology and plant performance metrics, the Assembly Operator leads assembly tasks involving light and medium-sized parts, wire connections, and light machinery operation. Operating across safety, quality, delivery, and cost dimensions, this role supports process flow improvement and team-based production goals within a structured assembly line environment.

Duties

• Fasten or assemble light and medium-sized parts and make wire connections.
• Interact with and operate light machinery, including electrical, hydraulic, and air-activated hand tools.
• Read and follow standard work directions on the assembly line.
• Work in a team environment within a lean manufacturing methodology.
• Drive plant performance through safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics.
• Keep the work area clean and organized to support process flow improvement.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• One or more years of assembly or manufacturing experience.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Able to work independently and in a team environment.
• Effective communication skills.

A key member of the manufacturing team, the Assembly Operator owns the full cycle of element manufacturing equipment operation, from following recipes and checking calibration parameters to handling packing, labeling, and outbound shipping documentation. Collaborating across production, management, and shipping functions, this role ensures accurate recordkeeping and timely reporting of product, process, and equipment issues to sustain uninterrupted production output.

Technical Responsibilities

• Comply with policies, guidelines, and regulatory requirements, and coordinate daily activities with the production manager.
• Follow recipes and procedures accurately for element manufacturing.
• Routinely check manufacturing equipment parameters, including calibration, pressure, thickness, and length, to ensure operation within acceptable limits.
• Maintain good housekeeping in the manufacturing area.
• Use hand and power tools, work instructions, and test equipment to assemble membrane parts into elements.
• Set up, operate, and clean element production equipment.
• Report product, process, equipment, and material issues to management in a timely, detailed manner.
• Record data in paper and electronic batch logs, including operating parameters such as calibration, temperature, and speed.
• Maintain inventory of materials and supplies needed for production.
• Test machine operation periodically and assist and communicate with other operators.
• Collect production data and complete daily production logs.
• Maintain records and markings of inventory status based on quality test results, and segregate finished goods accordingly.
• Handle packing, shipping, and related documentation for finished goods, including labeling, packaging, boxing, and palletizing elements for outbound shipping.
• Maintain inventory of packaging supplies and ensure correct documentation accompanies each shipment.
• Verify element serial numbers and order specifications, and provide dimensions and shipping weight for outbound products.
• Interface with shipping companies for pickup.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Technical degree a plus.
• Two years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably as a machine operator.
• Forklift training or certification preferred.
• Basic math skills required, with algebra preferred.
• Able to follow written instructions precisely and record information in detail and accurately.
• Able to lift 50 pounds, operate basic hand tools, and stand, kneel, and climb stairs, with color vision and ability to work in a wet environment.
• Willing and able to work safely with manufacturing equipment, alone or with others, as an energetic self-starter.
• Strong attention to detail to ensure proper equipment upkeep.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.

Consistent on-time delivery of complete tractor units depends on the Assembly Operator, who applies, aligns, attaches, and fastens components and sub-assemblies to chassis in the required order while performing visual checks and recording defects to support corrective action. Based within a heavy industrial assembly line environment, this role advances production quality and safety outcomes through continuous improvement participation and adherence to lean and WCM principles.

Accountabilities

• Apply, align, attach, insert, and fasten commodities, components, parts, sub-assemblies, or units to chassis in the required order and sequence, making adjustments as the unit progresses down the line.
• Wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, and earplugs, demonstrating a safety-first mindset.
• Approach work with a quality mindset and commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Follow a required sequence of steps repetitively and for extended periods.
• Visually check parts and assemblies for completeness, function, operation, and appearance.
• Report defective parts or improper function to proper authority, presenting ideas and issues constructively.
• Record defects accurately to support corrective action on-line and off-line.
• Perform painting tasks at workstations that require it.
• Participate in continuous improvement activities to eliminate waste.
• Follow non-verbal communication, including visual management signs and workplace organization.

Position Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• One or more years of manufacturing, industrial, or mechanical experience in a heavy industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Experience on an assembly line with a takt time.
• Demonstrated mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to use hand, pneumatic, power, and torque tools.
• Ability to frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds and work different shifts.
• Familiarity with WCM and lean principles.
• Ability to learn quickly and work independently.

As the Assembly Operator, this role builds electro-mechanical assemblies from blueprints, bills of materials, and calibration specs while rotating across work cells, filling in for lead assemblers, and supporting training of new assemblers. The production team relies on this work to maintain high attendance standards, quality output, and continuous improvement across a collaborative and rapidly changing manufacturing environment.

Job Functions

• Read blueprints, bills of materials, and calibration specs to build electro-mechanical assemblies with little or no direction.
• Rotate and work across different work cells as needed.
• Assist in training new assemblers on assigned production lines.
• Execute plant safety concepts and identify potential safety concerns.
• Fill in for lead assemblers as required and perform light material handling work.
• Meets and maintains high attendance standards.
• Practice good housekeeping and maintain neat, clean, and orderly inventory.

Professional Experience

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Three to five years of experience in an electro-mechanical production assembly environment.
• Skilled in soldering, blueprint reading, and functional comprehension of test and calibration specs.
• Understanding of lean principles to support continuous improvement.
• Basic keyboarding skills and understanding of Microsoft Office products and email.
• Ability to pay close attention to detail while maintaining pace and ensuring high-quality standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across all levels of the organization.
• Strong work ethic, with the ability to excel in a fast-paced, collaborative, and rapidly changing environment.

Assembly Operator owns the proper operation of assigned production lines in a food and beverage manufacturing environment, including equipment adjustments, sanitation procedures, and first-responder repairs on fillers. The work directly supports production uptime and GMP compliance across all shifts, requiring mechanical aptitude, organizational discipline, and bilingual communication as an asset.

What You'll Do

• Operate and understand basic functions of equipment on assigned production lines.
• Follow and apply wash and sanitation procedures.
• Participate in cleaning, disassembling, reassembling, preventive maintenance, and super clean activities.
• Ensure proper filler performance by performing on-site adjustments and repairs as a first responder.
• Perform routine inspections of pumps and equipment.
• Use and explain the shop floor wash section documentation.
• Work on assigned production lines when fillers are running normally.
• Comply with company policies, including safety, dress code, and GMP requirements.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Basic reading, writing, and arithmetic skills, with understanding of metric and imperial measurements.
• Able to use a mechanic's basic tools, with manual dexterity and physical fitness.
• Successfully meets predetermined mechanical aptitude test criteria.
• High working flexibility and ability to learn.
• High level of initiative and organization.
• Excellent communicator and team player.
• Good knowledge of GMPs and microbiological precautions.
• Bilingualism in French and English an asset.

The Assembly Operator delivers cable drawing, annealing, component assembly, and electrical testing operations within a continuous 24/7 manufacturing environment. Working alongside supervisors and shift teams, this role sustains a safe and clean work environment and ensures accurate production documentation through SAP entry and completed paperwork.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Draw cable on bull blocks and draw bench, and anneal cable in furnaces.
• Complete cable documentation, including production documentation and computer entry into SAP.
• Assemble components into finished goods and perform electrical testing of finished goods.
• Maintain a safe and clean work environment.
• Work overtime when required and work all shifts as part of a 24/7 operation.

Background & Experience

• Grade 12 diploma or GED an asset but not required.
• Able to speak, read, understand, and follow instructions, policies, and procedures in English.
• Prior experience in a manufacturing plant.
• Able to work shift work, with no rotations.
• Able to lift 50 pounds and stand for 10 hours.
• Able to work in a team on complex tasks and complete them promptly.