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Pioneer Metal Finishing

Metal surface finishing for corrosion resistance

Line Operator - Electroless Nickel Plating

Machine & Process OperationPosted on Nov 13
Full-timeSouth Bend, IN, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • No prior manufacturing experience is required; entry-level candidates are welcome.
  • Prior experience working with chemical processing or plating is beneficial and may qualify the candidate for a higher wage.
  • Ability to read and understand work orders and safety instructions.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English.
  • Ability to lift 30–50 pounds unassisted and differentiate between color variances.
  • Ability to work around sharp parts and tooling, heavy carts, temperature and humidity variation, oven heat, moderate noise, compressed air, potential process-line splashes, and chemicals.
  • Must use hearing protection when exposed to compressed air.

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate the proper process baths and materials to produce quality products, working with supervisors, team leads, line operators, and Quality to prioritize work, maximize tank efficiency, and meet production schedules.
  • Oversee process-line activity and train material handlers and new line operators.
  • Inspect loads before pickup for identification, tooling, security, heights, and depth location.
  • Coordinate loads with the team lead or shift supervisor to use open tank time efficiently.
  • Confirm a program is available before processing loads and contact the team lead or supervisor if it is not.
  • Process raw aluminum parts or loads between chemical-finishing tanks according to specifications, coordinating with process technicians, supervisors, leads, and other operators.
  • Run multiple lines where applicable.
  • Maintain consistency from load to load and shift to shift through communication and teamwork.
  • Ensure products follow the program and meet required standards and specifications; reject loads that do not meet processing requirements.
  • Identify and escalate issues with raw product, including excessive oil, deep or blind holes, potential air pockets, corrosion, and galvanic issues; recommend process adjustments to meet end-product specifications.
  • Participate in tank maintenance activities.
  • Monitor tank pH and solution levels, make additions according to checklists and procedures, notify the lab of non-conforming tanks, and change tank filters when required.
  • Respond to alarms and follow applicable protocols; monitor the waste-treatment system when applicable.
  • Operate rectifiers, pumps, and cranes; perform setup calibrations and basic troubleshooting of equipment, including data tracks and controllers.
  • Record accurate temperatures, loads, voltages, and other information on run sheets.
  • Provide proper shift handoff and maintain consistency between shifts.
  • Keep work areas and equipment clean, safe, and orderly.
  • Clean contact pads on work bars and tanks to ensure full electrical contact through loads.
  • Immediately report equipment problems using the designated procedure.
  • Escalate tooling issues and improvement ideas through the facility process.

About the Company

Pioneer Metal Finishing

Metal surface finishing for corrosion resistance

Pioneer Metal Finishing provides specialty surface treatments for metal parts to improve strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. Its services include anodizing and electroless nickel plating, which create protective layers or coatings on parts used in automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and defense. The company works by applying these treatments to metal components to enhance performance and longevity, helping tools and parts perform reliably under demanding conditions. What sets Pioneer apart is its long history as a family-owned business with a broad network of facilities and a track record of consistent quality and reliability, now supported by private-equity backing that aims to accelerate growth and modernization. The ultimate goal is to be a trusted, scalable partner for industrial customers by expanding capacity, improving processes, and serving a growing roster of critical applications.

Company size
201-500
Company stage
Debt Financing
Total funding
$45M
Headquarters
Ashwaubenon, WI
Founded
1945

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