Lead Assembler

Job Title: Assembler

Job Description

The Assembler operates on a production assembly line to build complete fixtures and sub-assemblies, performing efficient changeovers between products while maintaining strict quality standards. This role follows standard operating procedures and safety rules, makes adjustments to keep products within specifications, and rejects items that do not meet requirements. The Assembler actively participates in LEAN manufacturing initiatives, including 5S, zero waiting time, internal customer pull scheduling, batch-to-flow, line balancing, and reduction of process times, while consistently adhering to company policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Operate on the assembly line to produce completed fixtures and sub-assemblies according to blueprints and verbal instructions from the Team Lead.
• Perform efficient changeovers from one product to the next while maintaining productivity and quality standards.
• Conduct quality control checks, make necessary adjustments to keep products within specifications, and reject any product that does not meet requirements.
• Follow all standard operating procedures, safety rules, and company policies and procedures at all times.
• Use hand tools and light power tools to position components in fixtures, assemble parts with rivets, screws, or bolts, and complete product assemblies.
• Install and position ballasts using specified fasteners and tools, route and connect wiring from ballasts and other components into assemblies according to instructions from the Assembly Team Lead.
• Fasten precut and formed metal components onto assemblies and other parts to complete the final product.
• Maintain all tools in a clean, organized manner, return them to proper locations, and keep work areas clean and orderly.
• Deliver or route materials and finished products to the proper department, warehouse section, stockroom, or shipping area using devices such as forklifts, conveyors, sorting bins, and other material handling equipment.
• Pack, seal, label, and affix materials and products to prepare them for the Shipping Department using appropriate hand and power tools.
• Assist Production Management by helping determine production time requirements using knowledge of assembly procedures, routings, and benchmarks.
• Confer and correspond with the Team Lead to resolve issues such as damages, shortages, and nonconformance to specifications.
• Study the assembly process flow for effectiveness and suggest improvements to labor activities, distribution procedures, timeliness, and cost reduction.
• Follow direction from the Assembly Team Lead and Production Managers to meet production schedules and complete manufactured products within required timelines.
• Support and promote Continuous Improvement and Lean manufacturing activities in the assembly areas, participating in the review and refinement of procedures, schedules, and specifications.
• Perform, support, and enforce quality checks on all orders before they move to the next step in the process.
• Maintain a safe working environment by following established safety guidelines and standard safe work practices for all machinery and tools used.
• Use and maintain all required safety equipment and remain at the work station between designated breaks to support workflow and productivity.
• Develop familiarity with products and assemblies to better understand different components and ensure accurate and efficient assembly.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience with assembly work in a production or manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in using standard hand tools and light power tools for assembly tasks, fastening, and wiring.
• Ability to read and follow blueprints, diagrams, and verbal instructions from supervisors and Team Leads.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to performing thorough quality checks on all assembled products.
• Capability to follow standard operating procedures, safety rules, and company policies consistently.
• Basic understanding of LEAN manufacturing concepts, including 5S, zero waiting time, internal customer pull scheduling, batch-to-flow, line balancing, and process time reduction.
• Ability to handle materials and products safely using devices such as forklifts, conveyors, sorting bins, and other material handling tools.
• Organizational skills to maintain clean work areas and properly store and care for tools and equipment.
• Problem-solving skills to help resolve issues related to damages, shortages, and nonconformance to specifications.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Team Leads and Production Management to meet production timelines and quality standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience studying and improving assembly process flows to enhance efficiency, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness.
• Experience in supporting Continuous Improvement and Lean manufacturing initiatives within production environments.
• Familiarity with routing and connecting wiring in assemblies, including ballasts and other electrical components.
• Experience preparing materials and finished products for shipping, including packing, sealing, labeling, and affixing documentation.
• Comfort working in a structured environment with established procedures, schedules, and specifications.
• Ability to adapt to cross-training across multiple workstations and support different stages of the assembly process.

Why Work Here?

You will join a clean, well-organized production environment that values teamwork, continuous improvement, and cross-training. The smaller team structure encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skill development across multiple workstations. The focus on Lean manufacturing and quality provides opportunities to contribute ideas, refine processes, and grow professionally while working in a supportive and safety-conscious setting.

Work Environment

The work environment is a very clean production facility with a smaller team structure, typically organized into lines of approximately four people, allowing for close collaboration and effective communication. Multiple different working stations support extensive cross-training, enabling team members to learn and perform a variety of assembly tasks. Work is performed on an assembly line using standard hand tools, light power tools, and material handling equipment such as forklifts, conveyors, and sorting bins. Employees follow established standard operating procedures and safety guidelines, maintain organized and tidy work areas, and use appropriate safety equipment as required.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Saint Paul, MN.

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $24.00/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 Saint Paul,MN.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.

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.

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.