Job Title: Lead Technician I | Pay: $28-38/hour depending on experience | Direct Placcement
Job Description
The Lead Technician I oversees custom processing operations in a pilot plant environment, ensuring that all products shipped meet quality standards and that project documentation is accurate and complete. This role leads daytoday processing activities, coordinates closely with shipping and receiving for customer materials, and serves as a technical resource for process development, safety, and data collection.
Responsibilities
- Lead and supervise custom processing operations and cleanup to ensure successful completion of projects and the safety of all personnel.
- Review safety data sheets for all materials and verify process safety requirements prior to running any operation.
- Lead, review, and follow custom processing protocols to ensure safe operation and thorough collection of process data.
- Train and guide processing personnel on achieving optimal machinery performance and obtaining accurate, precise data for reporting.
- Pull and test production samples according to established protocols to confirm product quality and consistency.
- Inspect incoming and outgoing materials and supplies to maintain a high level of quality and compliance with specifications.
- Coordinate shipping activities with the Shipping and Receiving Department to ensure timely shipment of finished products.
- Conduct regular inventory checks to ensure all supplies required for production are available and properly accounted for.
- Provide performance feedback to the Pilot Plant Manager to support team member evaluations and development.
- Communicate regularly with internal and external customers to understand priorities and adjust work schedules and activities accordingly.
- Write clear and detailed technical project reports for customers, summarizing process conditions, results, and key findings.
- Maintain organized electronic files for financial audits, including Certificates of Analysis, drum lists, technical reports, and other required documentation.
- Operate and troubleshoot mechanical process equipment, including mixing and blending systems, pneumatics, and related machinery.
- Use forklifts, pallet jacks, and freight elevators to move materials between floors and support processing and shipping activities.
- Work flexibly across both 1st and 2nd shifts as operational needs require, adapting to changing project schedules.
Essential Skills
- At least 3 years of experience working with mechanical process equipment in an industrial or processing environment.
- At least 3 years of leadership experience, preferably in a pilot plant or similar processing environment.
- At least 3 years of experience applying structured problemsolving skills to technical and operational issues.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize multiple tasks and manage competing deadlines in a fastpaced setting.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with team members, engineers, and customers.
- Proficiency with computer software, including the Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe applications, for documentation and reporting.
- Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to understand, operate, and troubleshoot industrial processing equipment.
- Solid math skills to support measurements, calculations, sampling, and data analysis.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical documentation related to equipment and processes.
- Handson experience with mechanical systems, pneumatics, electrical components, and general troubleshooting.
- Ability to safely operate forklifts and similar material handling equipment (or willingness to be trained).
- Capability to lift up to 55 pounds and stand for approximately 80% of the shift in an industrial environment.
- Comfort working with tools and equipment used in chemical processing, mixing, blending, and material handling.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience in a pilot plant or process development environment.
- Experience handling hazardous materials in a safe and compliant manner.
- Boiler license, which is strongly preferred for higherlevel responsibilities and compensation.
- Experience with testing and sampling of processed materials in a production or laboratory setting.
- Experience in material handling and warehouse operations.
- Experience using forklifts or pallet jacks in an industrial environment.
- Familiarity with reviewing and working from safety data sheets (SDS).
- Ability to work collaboratively with process development engineers and crossfunctional teams.
- Comfort writing technical project reports and documenting process data for internal and customer use.
Why Work Here?
Employees join a growing organization that offers strong longterm career growth and a genuine promotefromwithin philosophy. The culture emphasizes teamwork, ideasharing, and collaboration, where titles matter less than contributions and every voice is valued from day one. Team members enjoy comprehensive medical and dental benefits with a significant company contribution, 11 paid holidays plus a floating holiday, generous paid time off starting at two weeks in the first year, and tuition reimbursement for education related to current or future roles within the company. The organization supports overall wellbeing through an annual Wellness Day off with reimbursement for activities of the employees choice, backed by a yearly physical, as well as a child tuition savings program with dollarfordollar matching up to a defined amount. Retirement and financial rewards are reinforced through a matching 401(k) plan and annual profitsharing bonuses. Employees also benefit from annual company outings, uniforms provided at no cost, steeltoe boot reimbursement, and the flexibility to listen to music with earbuds during work, creating a supportive, engaging, and peoplefocused environment.
Work Environment
This role operates in an industrial chemical processing environment that can become very warm during the summer months. The facility is designed for chemical and steam processing, and appropriate face masks and ventilation are provided to support safe working conditions. Work takes place on both upper and lower levels of the plant: the upper level is used for loading materials and initiating processes, while the lower level is used for testing, sampling, and palletizing finished product. Movement between levels involves the use of forklifts, pallet jacks, and a freight elevator. The standard 2nd shift schedule is Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and the role requires flexibility to work 1st shift (Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) when project timelines or operational needs dictate; such changes are communicated in advance. The environment is handson and productionfocused, with companyprovided uniforms and separate locker rooms available. Steeltoe boot reimbursement is offered after a short period, and employees may wear earbuds and listen to music while working, consistent with safety guidelines.
If you are interested in next steps, please book a virtual teams meeting with me using my link: https://talentassistant.aerotek.com/assistant/bookings/bXaTnD4Y
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of MINNEAPOLIS, MN.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $58240.00 - $79040.00/yr.
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.
- Growing company that offers excellent long-term growth and promote from within opportunities.
- Promote employee friendly and team culture and atmosphere
- Excellent medical/dental benefits (company paid 75% of medical and dental benefits)
- 11 Paid Holidays and 1 floating holiday (Holidays paid day one while on contract)
- Tuition reimbursement - has to be related to with current position or another position that be reasonably attainable within the company
- Generous PTO/Vacation (2 weeks year one but can earn more with time)
- Annually Wellness Day off with up to $100 reimbursement.
- Employees will have to complete a yearly physical to be able to take a Wellness Day off. This day is paid by Bepex. This can be used for any activities you choose, it can be a spa day, fishing, golfing, etc
- Child-Tuition Savings account, Bepex contribution of a dollar for dollar match up to $2,500 per year.
- Job Titles don't matter type environment, love ideas and collaboration from every employee day one or 20
- Matching 401 K
- Profit Sharing bonuses Annually
- Annual company outing - Company provides uniforms for all employees with their names on them
- They have Steel Toe Boot reimbursement after 30 days
- Can wear ear bud and listen to music
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of MINNEAPOLIS, MN.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 12, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in MINNEAPOLIS,MN.
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.