About this role
Job Title: Forklift Operator Heavy Industrial ManufacturingJob DescriptionThis role operates high-capacity forklifts and supports shipping and receiving activities in a heavy industrial manufacturing environment. The position focuses on safely moving long and heavy materials such as steel and pipe, performing basic rigging tasks, and ensuring accurate documentation for all inbound and outbound shipments. You will work closely with production teams, including welders and fitters, to keep materials flowing efficiently and maintain accurate inventory records while starting early morning shifts.
Responsibilities
- Operate sit-down forklifts, including 5-ton and 36-ton units, to move, load, and unload long and heavy materials such as steel and pipe.
- Use rigging techniques to safely lift, position, and transport heavy materials in an industrial or construction-style setting.
- Handle shipping and receiving tasks, including loading outbound trucks and unloading inbound shipments.
- Review and verify packing slips, shipping documents, and related paperwork for accuracy before processing shipments.
- Track and record inventory movements, ensuring materials are correctly labeled, stored, and documented in inventory systems.
- Measure steel and other materials using a tape measure to confirm dimensions and quantities before shipment or storage.
- Move materials around the facility to support welders, fitters, millwrights, and other production personnel.
- Assist with bolt-up and material positioning activities as needed to support fabrication and assembly operations.
- Maintain a strong focus on safety while operating forklifts and rigging equipment, following OSHA-aware practices and site safety procedures.
- Monitor shipment accuracy, double-check counts and descriptions, and promptly report discrepancies or damage.
- Collaborate with team members in shipping, receiving, and production to prioritize work and meet shipping deadlines.
- Arrive reliably for early morning start times around 5:00 AM and maintain consistent attendance.
- Keep work areas, loading zones, and material storage locations organized and free of hazards.
Essential Skills
- Strong experience operating forklifts, with sit-down forklift operation preferred.
- Hands-on rigging experience in an industrial, construction, or heavy manufacturing setting.
- Proven ability to handle long and heavy materials such as pipes and steel safely and efficiently.
- Familiarity with shipping and receiving processes, including loading and unloading trucks.
- Experience working with packing slips, shipping documents, and basic documentation.
- Inventory control experience, including tracking, recording, and verifying material movements.
- Ability to read and use a tape measure accurately to verify material dimensions.
- Reliable attendance with the ability to work early start times around 5:00 AM.
- Safety-focused mindset with awareness of OSHA-related safe work practices.
- Comfort working around welders, fitters, millwrights, and other production team members.
- Detail-oriented approach with strong awareness of shipment and inventory accuracy.
- Team-oriented attitude and strong work ethic in a fast-paced industrial setting.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience in steel fabrication facilities, pipe yards, or heavy manufacturing environments.
- Experience operating high-capacity forklifts such as 5-ton and 36-ton units.
- Familiarity with Doosan forklifts or similar industrial forklift brands.
- Experience supporting millwright activities, including bolt-up and material positioning.
- Comfort working closely with production teams to coordinate material flow and priorities.
- Ability to interpret basic material descriptions, counts, and dimensions from work orders or shipping documents.
Why Work Here? This opportunity offers the chance to work in a stable heavy industrial environment where safety, teamwork, and reliability are highly valued. You will play a key role in keeping operations running smoothly, gain experience with high-capacity forklifts and rigging, and collaborate closely with skilled trades professionals. The role provides consistent early-morning hours, a structured routine, and the opportunity to build long-term skills in shipping, receiving, and material handling within a supportive team culture.
Work EnvironmentThe work environment is a heavy industrial manufacturing facility with a strong focus on shipping, receiving, and material handling. You will operate sit-down forklifts, including 5-ton and 36-ton units, and may work with Doosan forklifts or similar equipment. The role involves working around welders, fitters, millwrights, and other production staff, with frequent exposure to steel, pipe, and other heavy materials. Work is primarily performed in and around loading docks, yards, and production areas, where noise, moving equipment, and active fabrication work are present.
Shifts begin early in the morning around 5:00 AM, and the pace can be fast to meet shipping deadlines. The position requires adherence to safety procedures, use of appropriate personal protective equipment, and practical work attire suitable for a heavy industrial environment.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Litchfield Park, AZ.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $24.00 - $27.00/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 20, 2026.
Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Litchfield Park,AZ.
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.