Machine operator Jobs in Durham, NC

Job Title: Press Assistant
Job Description

The Press Assistant supports efficient, high-quality printing operations by assisting with press setup, operation, and maintenance. This role helps ensure accurate counts and proper market identification, maintains and operates robotic and stacking equipment, and supports the press team in monitoring quality, reducing waste, and keeping the pressroom organized and supplied.

Responsibilities

• Maintain proper market identification by checking mastheads, skid tickets, and ensuring correct counts throughout press runs.
• Operate and maintain robotic equipment used in the pressroom.
• Operate and maintain stacker machines to ensure accurate and safe stacking of signatures.
• Stack signatures and maintain the overall quality and stability of skids.
• Identify and promptly report any noticeable print defects to the Head Press Operator, Press Operator, or Supervisor.
• Coordinate paper waste removal in the pressroom to support a clean and efficient work area.
• Complete all assigned tasks during make-readies and other press downtime situations.
• Assist with webbing up the printing press to support efficient job changeovers.
• Keep presses stocked with necessary supplies to minimize interruptions in production.
• Assist with the removal of waste ink, used printing plates, press-side garbage, skids, slip sheets, and plastic packaging.
• Assist with changing slip-sheets at the printing units as needed.
• Assist with manual signature stacking when required to meet production demands.
• Assist with cleaning press water systems and changing filters to maintain equipment performance.
• Perform Press Operator responsibilities when needed, following established procedures and safety guidelines.
• Complete preventive maintenance assignments and initiate work orders when equipment issues are identified.
• Develop job skills and equipment knowledge necessary for advancement within the pressroom.
• Monitor product waste and support efforts to reduce spoilage and improve efficiency.

Essential Skills

• Experience operating machinery in a production or manufacturing environment.
• General production experience with an understanding of basic production workflows.
• Mechanical aptitude and the ability to learn and troubleshoot pressroom equipment.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods while performing repetitive tasks.
• Ability to regularly lift and move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to use hands to handle, feel, and operate tools and equipment safely.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms and climb steps or ladders up to 25 feet and maintain balance.
• Ability to occasionally sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl as required by the job.
• Strong visual acuity, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to communicate clearly and hear instructions in a production environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Comfort working around moving mechanical parts and production equipment.
• Ability to work safely in an environment with fumes or airborne particles.
• Willingness to handle chemicals that require special handling and follow all safety procedures.
• Ability to work in areas that may involve vibration, high or elevated locations, and potential exposure to electrical components, following safety protocols.
• Commitment to following all safety, quality, and housekeeping standards.
• Willingness to learn new equipment and processes to support career growth in the pressroom.

Why Work Here?

You will join a production team that values safety, quality, and continuous learning. The role offers the opportunity to build strong mechanical and pressroom skills, take on increasing responsibility over time, and contribute directly to efficient, high-quality printing operations. You will work in an environment that supports reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and encourages skill development and advancement.

Work Environment

This position is based in a pressroom environment with frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts, vibration, fumes, and airborne particles. You will regularly work around chemicals that require special handling and follow strict safety and handling procedures. The role may occasionally involve working at heights or in elevated areas and near electrical equipment. The noise level is typically high, and appropriate hearing protection and other personal protective equipment are required as part of standard safety practices. The work is physically active, requiring standing and walking for most of the shift, frequent reaching and climbing, and regular lifting of materials up to 25 pounds and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Durham, NC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $18.90 - $18.90/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 Durham,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 16, 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.

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.