**Manufacturing Associate/Machine Operator - 1st & 2nd Shift - Otay Mesa Area - $18/hr-$20/hr** **Job Description** The Manufacturing Associate supports production by working with small rubber parts to ensure they meet quality standards and are ready for use in precision applications. This role involves trimming excess material, inspecting parts for defects, applying glue with precision, and operating molding equipment in a clean, organized manufacturing environment. **Responsibilities** + Trim excess rubber from parts to meet quality and dimensional specifications. + Carefully inspect parts for defects, damage, or irregularities and remove nonconforming items from the production flow. + Paint grooves in parts with glue using small brushes, ensuring accurate application and consistent coverage. + Perform molding tasks, including loading and unloading parts and monitoring the molding process. + Operate manufacturing machinery and equipment safely and in accordance with established procedures. + Handle and assemble small parts with care, maintaining accuracy and consistency throughout the production process. + Use basic hand tools and general production tools as needed to complete daily tasks. + Follow written and verbal work instructions, production schedules, and quality guidelines. + Maintain a clean and organized work area to support safety and efficiency. + Stand or sit for extended periods while performing repetitive production tasks. + Collaborate with team members and communicate any production or quality issues to supervisors promptly. + Adhere to all safety policies and procedures while working in manufacturing, machine shop, molding, bonding, and warehouse areas. **Essential Skills** + Approximately 6 months of manufacturing experience preferred. + Experience working with small parts in a production or general labor environment. + Ability to operate basic manufacturing machinery and equipment safely. + Proficiency using hand tools in a production setting. + Strong attention to detail for trimming, inspection, and glue application tasks. + Ability to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining quality and accuracy. + Capability to stand or sit for long periods of time during shifts. + Basic understanding of general production and manufacturing processes. **Additional Skills & Qualifications** + Previous experience in general production or general labor roles. + Familiarity with molding operations or bonding processes. + Comfort working with small brushes and fine-detail manual tasks. + Ability to work effectively in different areas such as machine shop, molding, bonding, or warehouse as needed. + Willingness to follow structured procedures and quality standards. **Why Work Here?** Join a stable, safety-focused manufacturing operation that values clean, organized workspaces and reliable processes. You will work alongside a supportive team across multiple shifts in a modern facility with clearly defined production areas. The environment emphasizes quality, consistency, and safe practices, offering opportunities to build hands-on manufacturing skills with small precision parts. **Work Environment** The role is based in a large, open manufacturing facility that produces rubber seals primarily for aerospace applications. The site includes distinct areas such as a machine shop, molding, bonding (with machine presses), and warehouse operations. The facility maintains a very safe and clean working environment, with well-organized production lines and clearly defined workstations. Team sizes vary by shift, with larger crews on first and second shifts and a smaller team on third shift. Work involves standing or sitting for extended periods, handling small parts, operating machinery, and using hand tools in a production setting. **Job Type & Location** This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Diego, CA. **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 San Diego,CA. **Application Deadline** This position is anticipated to close on May 3, 2026. **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.