Job Description

Overview

The Machine Operator role involves setting up and operating grinding equipment to produce high-quality razor blades in a manufacturing environment. This position emphasizes safety, quality, and efficiency while offering a direct hire opportunity with a reputable company.

Responsibilities

  • Operate grinding machines to grind metal spools into razor blades according to production specifications.
  • Set up grinding and related machinery at the start of each shift to prepare for daily operations.
  • Conduct safety inspections on machinery before and during use to ensure safe operation.
  • Monitor equipment performance during operation and promptly identify irregularities or issues.
  • Perform adjustments and minor repairs on grinding and welding equipment as needed to maintain optimal performance.
  • Perform welding tasks during the setup process between spools to support continuous production.
  • Cross-train and perform all tasks within the Blades Department to provide flexible support across operations.
  • Inspect finished products using appropriate tools and methods to verify they meet quality and dimensional standards.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot grinding and welding equipment to minimize downtime and extend equipment life.
  • Follow all safety protocols, standard operating procedures, and company policies while maintaining a clean and organized work area.
  • Collaborate with team members and supervisors to optimize production processes and improve efficiency.
  • Complete additional tasks and special assignments as directed by the supervisor to support production goals.
  • Stage and pick materials both physically and electronically using a barcode scanner to ensure accurate material flow.
  • Manage reporting paperwork and perform data entry tasks to accurately document production, inspections, and material movement.
  • Read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and specifications to ensure proper setup and accurate production.
  • Use measurement tools, including tape measures and inspection devices, to verify dimensions and tolerances.
  • Apply sound problem-solving skills and mechanical aptitude to resolve production and equipment issues quickly.
  • Handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment while maintaining high quality and safety standards.

Requirements

  • Proven experience in deburring or grinding in a manufacturing environment.
  • 2 - 3 years of machine operating experience.
  • Hands-on experience operating grinding equipment and working with metal materials.
  • Proficiency in welding, particularly during setup processes between metal spools.
  • Experience with grinding, pressing, or CNC equipment in production settings.
  • Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and specifications.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality products.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and mechanical aptitude for troubleshooting equipment.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and effectively as part of a team.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Ability to input, retrieve, and analyze data related to production and materials.
  • Full understanding of material storage procedures and practices in a manufacturing environment.
  • Good oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to speak, read, and write English.
  • Good math skills, including unit-of-measure conversions.
  • Comfort using tape measures and inspection tools for dimensional verification.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining safety and quality standards.

Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • 401k

Additional Information

  • This is a Permanent position based out of Santa Ana, CA.
  • The pay range for this position is $40000.00 - $42000.00/yr.
  • This is a fully onsite position in Santa Ana, CA.
  • The position requires flexibility to work either 1st shift or 2nd shift depending on department needs.
  • Application deadline is anticipated to close on Nov 23, 2026.

Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
401k

How this job compares in Santa Ana, CA

Pay in context

At roughly $20/hr, this posting comes in about 45% below the $36/hr median for welding jobs across California, where the middle half runs $30–$49/hr across 379 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 1% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. That gap is worth raising directly — in a market this size there is normally room to negotiate toward the median, particularly if you already hold the certifications the posting asks for.

The local market in Santa Ana, CA

Santa Ana, CA currently has 3 other active welding openings besides this one, spread across 2 employers. None of them were added in the last week, so this is a slower-moving market. Across California as a whole we're tracking 514 other active welding openings from 241 employers. That's enough local activity to be worth comparing two or three offers before committing. Browse every welding job in Santa Ana, or widen the search to California.

The most active employers in California at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are SpaceX (37), Relativity Space (18), and Welding Shop in Los Angeles, CA (16). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within California, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are El Segundo at $53/hr, Pasadena at $50/hr, and Long Beach at $49/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Santa Ana, CA

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. DIRECT HIRE - Machine Operator figures were last recalculated when this page was built.