Header Operator Apprentice**
**Job Description**
Join a dynamic team operating Formax Headers, a type of cold-forming machine renowned for producing high-quality fasteners and parts with precision, speed, and efficient changeover capabilities. As a Header Operator Apprentice, you will be trained to operate equipment and perform complex machine setups safely and effectively.
**Responsibilities**
+ Operate and adjust equipment in a safe manner according to training.
+ Determine tooling adjustments to maintain proper setups on various header sizes and types.
+ Read and understand blueprints.
+ Use gauges and other quality tools to ensure the production of high-quality parts.
+ Perform first piece inspections and monitor the quality of all parts, making necessary adjustments to maintain standards.
+ Conduct minor preventative maintenance and complete all required tracking documents.
+ Record data for SPC, ISO/IATF documentation.
**Essential Skills**
+ At least 1 year of on-the-job machining experience, manual or automatic.
+ Blueprint reading experience.
+ Proficiency in using measuring tools like micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
**Additional Skills & Qualifications**
+ Mechanically inclined, with experience as a backyard mechanic or formal auto mechanic training.
+ Good mechanical aptitude and ability to perform basic math.
+ GED or high school diploma is a plus.
+ Experience running Formax Headers.
**Why Work Here?**
Enjoy competitive hourly pay with bonuses, including a shift bonus and a sign-on bonus. Benefit from training bonuses, quarterly attendance and plant bonuses, and 13 paid holidays, including a week off between Christmas and New Year's. Enjoy comprehensive benefits starting from day one, including 401k with company match and company-paid short-term disability coverage.
**Work Environment**
Work on off-shift, initial training on the 1st shift for 2-4 weeks. The facility primarily serves the automotive industry, with some work in aerospace, construction, and commercial sectors. The environment is noisy and loud, with old machinery that can be dirty and oily. It can get hot in summer, and general PPE gear like earplugs, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots is required. Dress in clothing you don't mind getting dirty, such as old jeans and a t-shirt, with Acument shirts likely provided.
**Job Type & Location**
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Belvidere, Illinois
**Pay and Benefits**
The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $20.00/hr.
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)
**Workplace Type**
This is a fully onsite position in Belvidere,IL.
**Application Deadline**
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 25, 2025.
**About Aerotek:**
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 meets 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 solving for 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.
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.
**Job Description**
Join a dynamic team operating Formax Headers, a type of cold-forming machine renowned for producing high-quality fasteners and parts with precision, speed, and efficient changeover capabilities. As a Header Operator Apprentice, you will be trained to operate equipment and perform complex machine setups safely and effectively.
**Responsibilities**
+ Operate and adjust equipment in a safe manner according to training.
+ Determine tooling adjustments to maintain proper setups on various header sizes and types.
+ Read and understand blueprints.
+ Use gauges and other quality tools to ensure the production of high-quality parts.
+ Perform first piece inspections and monitor the quality of all parts, making necessary adjustments to maintain standards.
+ Conduct minor preventative maintenance and complete all required tracking documents.
+ Record data for SPC, ISO/IATF documentation.
**Essential Skills**
+ At least 1 year of on-the-job machining experience, manual or automatic.
+ Blueprint reading experience.
+ Proficiency in using measuring tools like micrometers, calipers, and gauges.
**Additional Skills & Qualifications**
+ Mechanically inclined, with experience as a backyard mechanic or formal auto mechanic training.
+ Good mechanical aptitude and ability to perform basic math.
+ GED or high school diploma is a plus.
+ Experience running Formax Headers.
**Why Work Here?**
Enjoy competitive hourly pay with bonuses, including a shift bonus and a sign-on bonus. Benefit from training bonuses, quarterly attendance and plant bonuses, and 13 paid holidays, including a week off between Christmas and New Year's. Enjoy comprehensive benefits starting from day one, including 401k with company match and company-paid short-term disability coverage.
**Work Environment**
Work on off-shift, initial training on the 1st shift for 2-4 weeks. The facility primarily serves the automotive industry, with some work in aerospace, construction, and commercial sectors. The environment is noisy and loud, with old machinery that can be dirty and oily. It can get hot in summer, and general PPE gear like earplugs, safety glasses, and steel-toed boots is required. Dress in clothing you don't mind getting dirty, such as old jeans and a t-shirt, with Acument shirts likely provided.
**Job Type & Location**
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Belvidere, Illinois
**Pay and Benefits**
The pay range for this position is $18.00 - $20.00/hr.
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)
**Workplace Type**
This is a fully onsite position in Belvidere,IL.
**Application Deadline**
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 25, 2025.
**About Aerotek:**
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 meets 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 solving for 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.
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.
Job ID: 485017313
Originally Posted on: 7/12/2025
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