Mold Technician

Job Title: Mold Technician – 2nd Shift

Job Description

This hands-on technical role focuses on setting up, starting, operating, and shutting down injection molding machines on 2nd shift. You will perform mold changes, lockout/tagout procedures, machine start-ups, mold setting, and material handling while ensuring that machines, molds, and related equipment operate safely, efficiently, and reliably in a high-volume plastic injection molding environment.

Responsibilities

• Set up, start up, operate, and shut down injection molding machines on 2nd shift according to established procedures.
• Perform mold changes and mold setups, including installing, securing, and removing molds safely and efficiently.
• Execute lockout/tagout procedures to ensure safe maintenance and setup of molding equipment.
• Handle materials for molding operations, including loading, unloading, and staging materials as needed.
• Monitor machines, molds, and auxiliary equipment to ensure proper operation and product quality throughout the shift.
• Troubleshoot basic molding and machine issues and perform minor mechanical adjustments and maintenance repairs as required.
• Use overhead cranes safely to move molds and heavy tooling in and out of machines.
• Enter and revise molding press programming as needed, using adequate visual acuity and attention to detail.
• Follow all safety standards and meet physical requirements, including lifting, bending, and working around magnetic fields.
• Participate in and complete Mold Technician Level 1, 2, and 3 training within specified timelines.
• Support continuous improvement and kaizen initiatives by maintaining an organized work area and identifying opportunities for process improvement.
• Work overtime as needed, typically 5–10+ hours per week, to support production demands in an automotive manufacturing environment.

Essential Skills

• At least 1 year of injection molding experience in a production environment.
• At least 1 year of mold setting experience, including mold changes and mold setup.
• At least 1 year of material handling experience related to molding operations.
• At least 1 year of overhead crane experience for moving molds and tooling.
• Experience with machine operation and machine setup in a plastic injection molding setting.
• Mechanical aptitude and ability to perform basic troubleshooting and maintenance repairs.
• Ability to complete Mold Technician Level 1 training within 7 days of starting, Level 2 within 90 days, and Level 3 within 180 days.
• Ability to achieve a minimum score of 16 on the Wonderlic Personnel Test.
• Capability to meet the physical requirements of the role, including standing and walking for the entire shift, repeatedly lifting up to 60 pounds, and repeated bending and lifting.
• Ability to wear steel-toed footwear and work safely around a magnetic field.
• Adequate visual acuity to enter and revise molding press programming accurately.
• Ability to meet requirements for obtaining a crane license.
• Capability to exert up to 150 foot-pounds on a torque wrench.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 1–2+ years of experience in a plastic injection molding environment is preferred.
• Experience with injection mold tooling, mold setup, and general machine operation.
• Experience in troubleshooting molding processes and mechanical issues.
• Familiarity with continuous improvement and kaizen practices.
• Willingness to take a skills test to determine placement as Mold Technician Level I, II, or III.
• Interest in completing molding certifications, with support for enrollment after converting to a direct position.

Why Work Here?

You will join a people-first culture that values training, development, and continuous improvement. The role offers structured progression through Mold Technician Levels 1–3, with clear timelines and support to complete training and earn certifications. You can increase your pay as you advance levels, and shift premiums reward off-shift work. The organization provides great benefits and PTO, supports employees by paying for molding certifications after going direct, and offers regular employee events that foster a strong sense of community. You will benefit from a stable automotive manufacturing environment with opportunities for overtime, growth, and long-term career development.

Work Environment

You will work in a large plastic injection molding and automotive manufacturing plant, one of the largest in the region. The environment reflects a high-use injection mold area and can be dirtier than a typical light manufacturing facility, and it does get warm in the summer. Despite the heavy use, the plant is very organized due to a strong focus on continuous improvement and kaizen initiatives. Shifts are structured as follows: 1st shift runs from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM Monday through Friday, 2nd shift from 3:30 PM to 11:00 PM Monday through Friday with a 5% shift premium, and 3rd shift from 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM Sunday through Thursday with a 2% shift premium. This position is on 2nd shift and typically includes 5–10+ hours of overtime per week, common in automotive production. You will work around injection molding machines, overhead cranes, magnetic fields, and other industrial equipment, and you must wear steel-toed footwear and other required personal protective equipment as part of the dress code.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kalamazoo, MI.

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $22.90/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 Kalamazoo,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 8, 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.