139 jobs found for Machine Operator

all about machine operator jobs.

If you enjoy working with your hands, can keep yourself focussed and attentive at all times, and like working with machinery, a career as a machine operator may be on the cards. "Machine operator" is a very descriptive title since that's what you'll precisely be doing; operating machines. These machines will typically be large industrial affairs.

what do machine operator jobs entail?

Your role as a machine operator will primarily involve safely operating the machine or machines that you have been assigned to. These machines will usually be associated with industries like construction or manufacturing. You will also be responsible for monitoring the machine to ensure nothing goes wrong (or to catch something going wrong before it causes serious damage) as well as training others on how to operate the machine.

what is a typical work schedule for machine operators

A typical machine operator's schedule will involve a 40-hour workweek. As with most jobs, the type of organization you work with and the specific terms of your contract will determine when those hours take place. Regular 9 am to 5 pm work is, of course, a possibility. It is not uncommon for machine operators to do shift work in organizations that work around the clock. In these cases, you may be given a rota. That means you will work normal hours some days, from 9 am to 5 pm, and less sociable hours on other days. Some machine operators work nights entirely, and their hours might be from 5 pm to 12 am or 12 am to 8 am. As always, make sure you understand what hours you will be expected to work before you accept a job.

what are the pros of machine operator jobs?

• Opportunity to work with interesting machines: The range of machines that are covered by the job title of machine operator is quite vast. You could get a job working in a production line operating some relatively unremarkable machinery. In addition, you could also get a job operating some of the most impressive large machines in the industry. You would, of course, know what machines you are going to be working with before you took a job as a machine operator.
• Strong prospects for career growth: Machine operator may seem like something of a dead-end career at first. Typically, the only real movement you can make within the profession is lateral—to operate other machines. However, the experience you gain working in this profession can be parlayed into a move to related jobs with higher pay. These include a range of supervisory and managerial roles.
• Chance to work on large projects: The machines you operate will determine the types of projects you work on. However, for some—particularly machinery in construction—you may have the opportunity to work on some large projects, such as large buildings and civil engineering projects.

what are the cons of machine operator jobs?

• The pay is relatively lower than average: The future prospects for a machine operator are good if you decide to take your experience and move on to another profession. An average machine operator in Canada will earn around half that of the national average salary. In fact, even the higher end of the pay scale for this profession earns less than that of the average.
• The hours can be unsociable: Many roles in this profession involve working late shifts, night shifts or overtime. You can limit yourself to positions that only require you to work a standard 9 am to 5 pm schedule. But, of course, they may significantly reduce the number of potential jobs available to you.
• Not always the most stimulating of jobs: Being a machine operator can be very interesting, but it can also be less exciting. It depends on the machines you are operating. For example, working in a production line setting will often involve very repetitive work and be more stressful. However, you will need to be able to keep your focus.

what are common machine operator interview questions?

Most of the questions you will be asked in an interview for a machine operator role will be straightforward and easy to answer. For example, things like what qualifications you have or what your past experience in the profession has been. There will be questions that will require a little more thought, however. Thus, it will benefit you to think about what you will say in these cases. Of course, the questions asked can differ significantly from interview to interview. Still, there are some questions that you are likely to be asked in any machine operator interview;

• Why do you want to work for us? Your potential employer may ask why you have applied for a job with them specifically. This question sets you up with the perfect opportunity to show that you have done your research on the organization. Be sure to explain why you think you are a good fit for the company.
• What are your biggest weaknesses? When answering this question, it is important not to just reel off a long list of reasons not to hire you. Be honest but conservative with your answer, and explain what you are doing to work on those weaknesses. Nobody is perfect, but your employer needs to know that your imperfections aren't going to get in the way of your work.

machine operator resume and cover letter requirements

When you write your cover letter and resume, you are essentially crafting your first impression for the organization. Thus, it's important to get things right. Spend a little time on things, like the layout and typography, and certainly make sure it is thoroughly spell-checked.

In your cover letter, introduce yourself and talk a little about why you feel you are a good fit for the company. Show what research you’ve done in the process. Also, expand a little on any of the more notable aspects of your past experience. With your resume, be sure to include the following elements;

• Name and contact information
• Brief summary of experience/skills
• Employment history
• Education/qualifications
• Awards/certifications
• Notable projects you have worked on
• Work-related skills

what is the job outlook for machine operators?

The job outlook for machine operators is quite positive. While the growth is modest, the demand for machine operators is predicted to grow over the next 10 years. That means an increasing demand for workers is needed to fill these positions. Additionally, the prospects for machine operators who are prepared to move on from the profession are also positive. That's because the experience gained in these roles can be transferred into more senior roles, like an inventory manager or warehouse supervisor.

what are the different types of machine operator jobs?

Depending on how loosely the term "machine operator" is being applied, there can be many types of this role. That said, the most useful way to distinguish between the different types of machine operators is to look at the industry of each role. For example;

• Construction machine operator: If you work as a machine operator in construction, you will be working with heavy plant machinery. That includes equipment, such as excavators, bulldozers, dump trucks, compactors and more.
• Warehouse machine operator: A warehouse machine operator will typically be in charge of machines that handle the loading, unloading or transportation of goods, such as forklift trucks.
• Manufacturing machine operator: This type of machine operator will often be found in a factory or other production line-type of environment. You will also be responsible for operating one machine, among many others. Operations like these are often reliant on all parts working, meaning one issue in the line causes the whole operation to stop. It makes it important to ensure you keep your machine running smoothly.

It should also be noted that the role of a forklift operator is often listed as its own thing. However, it is technically a type of machine operator role and one that can crop up in just about any industry.

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what is the average salary for a machine operator?

As mentioned above, the machine operator salaries are not the highest. The average wage in Canada for a machine operator is less than half of the national average at $31,000. This is based on an average schedule of 40 hours a week at $16 per hour. This figure climbs a little for more experienced machine operators, who can earn around $42,000 per year. Although, this is still short of the national average in Canada. For entry-level positions, expect to earn somewhere in the region of $27,000 per year.

average machine operator salaries in canada

• annual: $31,000
• monthly: $2,560
• weekly: $640
• hourly: $16

Top paying areas for machine operators in Canada include: Alberta, British Columbia, and Quebec.

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what are the duties and responsibilities of machine operators?

The duties and responsibilities of a machine operator are quite different in application from role to role. It often depends on the machine you operate and the setting you are working in. That being said, the broad scope of those duties is mostly the same across all machine operators. These include;

• Ensure safety at all times: The kinds of machines you will be operating will usually have serious health and safety concerns attached to them. These concerns are obvious in the case of large plant machinery that you'd find on a construction site. Still, even smaller machinery can be dangerous if not properly used. You will be responsible for ensuring that your machine is operated safely.
• Keep your machine running as required: The urgency of your machine will mostly depend on the environment you are working in. For example, a production line is highly dependent on all of its machines working. On the other hand, a construction site may not grind to a halt if one machine is out of commission. That being said, it will be your responsibility to ensure your machine keeps running when it is supposed to.
• Monitor and report issues: Part of ensuring your machine keeps running is monitoring it for potential problems and reporting those problems at the earliest possible opportunity. Many issues that develop with machinery like this can be dealt with in a minimally disruptive way if caught soon enough. That said, nobody is in a better place to catch said problems than you — the machine operator.
• Train others to use the machines you operate: You will typically be the best person to train the newcomer on how to use your machine. It is the case if your organization is adding more machines of the type you operate. Even if you're moving on to greener pastures, your employer needs to find a new machine operator to replace you.

where do machine operators typically work?

The work environment of a machine operator can vary depending on the industry. However, there are many similarities between your potential locations. Whether you are on a construction site, factory floor, workshop, warehouse or any other industrial setting, you can expect minimal (if any) climate control. The environments you work in will probably be loud—to the point of requiring hearing protection in many cases. You will always need to be aware of your surroundings for the health and safety of you and others at all times.

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what skills and competencies do machine operators need?

Much like your duties and responsibilities, the skills you will need will vary from one machine operator role to another. But there are some broader skills that apply to all forms of this role;

• Focus: You will need to be able to maintain your focus throughout your work, regardless of how boring it may sometimes get. You will be operating machinery that, at best, could cause expensive problems if handled improperly. But at worst, it could injure somebody. If you are the kind of person whose mind has a tendency to wander, you will need to work on that for this role.
• Attention to detail: As mentioned above, part of your role is monitoring your machine to ensure it is functioning properly. You must also catch any potential problems before they develop into significant issues. To do this, you will need to be good at spotting things that less attentive minds may miss.
• Mechanical mind: Having a mechanical mind is not essential to being a machine operator, but it can certainly help. If you understand the fundamental aspects of what you and your machine are doing, you are more likely to be able to spot problems early.
• Awareness: Regardless of the type of machine operator you become, the machines you will be using will be dangerous to some extent. You will need to have good awareness to ensure that neither property nor people are harmed in the operation of your machine. This includes injuries resulting from things like people inadvertently walking into an area they shouldn't have.

what training and certifications do machine operators need?

The question of qualification for machine operator jobs is a tricky one to answer. Regarding simply getting into the role, you shouldn't need more than a GED or high school diploma. This will be enough to get you an entry-level position. After this, things are less straightforward. Many of the types of machines you could be operating will require some kind of certification by law. Additionally, your employer will want you to have had experience or certifications. It is also the case that many employers will offer the necessary training on their machines, but that varies from employer to employer.

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