Production Technician @ Aerotek

Job Title: Chemical Plant TechnicianJob DescriptionThe Chemical Plant Technician ensures the safe, environmentally sound, and efficient operation of a specialty chemicals facility that supports polymer production for plastics and wastewater treatment applications. This role involves operating and monitoring plant machinery and equipment, handling powdered chemicals and batch processes, and maintaining consistent production quality across a multi-level chemical plant. The technician works in a highly technical environment, performing both routine operations and minor maintenance while closely following detailed procedures and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor machinery and equipment throughout the specialty chemicals plant, including utilities, bulk storage, and warehouse areas.
• Handle powdered chemicals and batch mixes used in polymer manufacturing, including dumping 10-kilogram bags and larger into containers safely and accurately.
• Open and close valves, monitor instrumentation panels, read and interpret gauges, and promptly report findings and irregularities.
• Track, record, and monitor plant data using basic math skills to ensure processes run within defined parameters.
• Perform repetitive tasks and remain in a stationary position for extended periods when required by the production process.
• Move between four levels of the facility, including climbing ladders and stairs, to oversee multi-level chemical processes from mixing vessels to pump systems, valves, and storage areas.
• Operate forklifts and other material handling equipment to move chemicals, containers, and supplies within and between buildings.
• Use industrial scales, power tools, and hand tools to support production operations, packaging, and equipment adjustments.
• Perform minor mechanical maintenance and troubleshooting on plant equipment, addressing defects and basic issues with instrumentation and machinery.
• Assist with chemical processing activities such as mixing, batching, blending, filling, sealing, packing, bagging, and tablet-related operations while maintaining quality standards.
• Conduct inspections and quality checks on products and processes to ensure compliance with specifications and safety requirements.
• Follow and stay current on operating procedures, emergency procedures, safety protocols, and company policies.
• Work both indoors and outdoors, moving between buildings and process areas, often exposed to varying weather conditions and plant elements.
• Maintain a strong focus on safety, including proper handling of hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals, and adherence to plant safety practices.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with colleagues at all levels of the organization, following verbal and written instructions precisely.
• Support general production and process manufacturing activities, contributing to overall plant efficiency and output.
• Perform general labor tasks including heavy lifting up to 50 pounds and manual duties required to keep operations running smoothly.

Essential Skills

• 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 safely and efficiently in an industrial setting.
• Capability to work at elevated heights and move consistently between multiple levels of a facility, including climbing ladders and stairs.
• Ability to perform heavy lifting up to 50 pounds and sustain physical activity throughout multi-level plant operations.
• Comfort with repetitive tasks and the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods when required.
• Basic math skills for measuring, batching, calibration, and tracking plant data and production metrics.
• Proficiency with forklifts and willingness to operate powered industrial trucks as part of daily duties.
• Hands-on experience using industrial scales, power tools, and hand tools in a production or maintenance environment.
• Mechanical aptitude for machine operation, mechanical functions, and troubleshooting of mechanical equipment.
• Understanding of safety practices in heavy industrial environments, with a strong track record of safe work behavior and no attendance issues.
• Ability to follow detailed operating and emergency procedures, and to adhere strictly to safety policies and guidelines.
• Strong communication skills to interact effectively with all levels of staff and management and to follow verbal and written instructions accurately.
• Willingness to work rotating shifts and adapt to changing schedules, including potential transition to 12-hour shifts.

Why Work Here? Employees join a close-knit, family-oriented plant environment where they can make a meaningful impact while enjoying the support of a larger, well-established organization. The culture emphasizes health, safety, and care for the whole person, offering unique wellness benefits such as on-site massage therapy at very low cost. Team members benefit from multiple paid holidays, including for contract associates, and have access to a dedicated learning lab that supports ongoing education on both industry-related and broader business topics.

This combination of strong safety focus, continuous learning opportunities, and genuine attention to employee well-being creates a rewarding and supportive workplace. Work EnvironmentThe work environment is a multi-level chemical plant with a mix of indoor and outdoor areas. The clean room is air-conditioned, while other parts of the plant are not, and metal grating platforms are common throughout the facility. Technicians frequently climb up to four stories and move between buildings, often exposed to the elements while processes run from top to bottom through vessels, pumps, and valves to lower-level storage in barrels or other chemical carriers.

The setting is highly technical, involving monitoring chemical processes and working with dry chemical materials, hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals, and exposure to dust, noise, fluctuating temperatures, and flammable and toxic substances. Currently, the plant operates 8-hour shifts rotating every two weeks between first and second shift, with plans to expand to three shifts when fully staffed. In the near future, the schedule will transition to a 12-hour "Lego" shift pattern (3 days on, 2 off, 2 on, etc.), with rotation between days and nights every two weeks and regular three-day weekends off. Dress and personal protective equipment are aligned with a heavy industrial chemical environment, supporting safe work at heights, on metal grating, and around active process equipment.

Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of North Chesterfield, VA.

Pay and BenefitsThe 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)

Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in North Chesterfield,VA.

About Aerotek

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.