Laborup

Plastic Extrusion Technician

Laborup  •  $32/hr  •  Knoxville, TN (Onsite)  •  2 months ago
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Job Description

We’re hiring skilled extrusion operators to help launch and scale a next-generation manufacturing facility in Knoxville. This is a full-time, hands-on role ideal for precision-minded individuals who thrive in early-stage environments where systems are still being built, and where every team member plays a key role in daily production, process improvement, and long-term success.

You’ll be working with a close-knit team and external integration partners to learn and operate newly installed extrusion and reformatting equipment. These systems are used to produce high-performance plastic materials for industries ranging from security to consumer products. From machine setup and monitoring to quality control and process ownership, you’ll play a vital role in getting production off the ground, and keeping it running smoothly.

This is a great opportunity for entrepreneurial operators who enjoy figuring things out, building systems from the ground up, and working closely with engineers and maintenance teams in a collaborative, high-tech environment.

Pay & Benefits

  • Full-Time
  • $25 - $32 /hr
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, 401k, Paid Leave, Personal Leave and Sick Leave

Shift & Schedule

  • Monday - Friday
  • 7:00am - 4:00pm

Requirements

Responsibilities

  • Extrusion Machine Operation – Set up, start, and operate high-performance plastic extrusion equipment, adjusting machine parameters to maintain product specifications and material consistency.
  • Reformatting Tool Operation – Operate downstream reformatting and cutting equipment to size extruded material according to customer and internal requirements.
  • Quality Control & Inspection – Conduct regular inspections using calipers, micrometers, and visual tools to verify thickness, clarity, color, and dimensional accuracy; flag defects and adjust processes as needed.
  • Startup & Commissioning Support – Work directly with external OEMs and engineering teams to learn new equipment during installation and startup; become a subject matter expert on machine operation post-handoff.
  • Troubleshooting & Minor Maintenance – Identify, diagnose, and resolve minor process or equipment issues; coordinate with the maintenance team for larger repairs or rebuilds.
  • Process Optimization – Monitor resin blends, feed rates, and cycle times to improve consistency and reduce scrap; contribute to team efforts to refine and standardize new processes.
  • Documentation & Reporting – Maintain clear production logs, including run times, material usage, settings, and quality metrics; escalate deviations and improvement opportunities.
  • Safety & Compliance – Follow all safety protocols including PPE, LOTO (as needed), and high-temperature material handling procedures; help maintain a clean, hazard-free work area.
  • Team Collaboration – Work closely with production, maintenance, and engineering teams; support a positive, proactive team culture with a focus on shared goals and continuous learning.

Benefits

Qualifications

Required

  • Experience: 3+ years operating plastic extrusion or similar processing equipment
  • Technical Skills: Comfortable adjusting temperature zones, feed rates, and line speed; familiarity with die setup and resin handling
  • Inspection Tools: Proficient with calipers, micrometers, and visual QC tools
  • Problem Solving: Able to identify process deviations and make in-process adjustments
  • Communication: Able to clearly communicate issues, suggestions, and status updates with teammates and leadership
  • Physical Requirements: Able to lift 50 lbs, work in warm environments, and stand for extended periods

Preferred

  • Exposure to startup, commissioning, or new production line environments
  • Familiarity with lean manufacturing, 5S, or continuous improvement processes
  • Vocational or technical training in manufacturing or plastics technology
Laborup

About Laborup

Laborup is the #1 AI powered talent platform for America’s industrial workforce. We use AI to create jobs, not take them away. We help HR and plant leaders hire and keep the skilled workers who keep plants running: machinists, welders, maintenance techs, operators, industrial electricians, and engineers. USA Today called us the “LinkedIn for blue collar workers,” and Forbes profiled our work in “How AI Is Solving America’s 1 Trillion Dollar Manufacturing Labor Crisis.”

Today we work with manufacturers from 50 person shops to large public companies with tens of thousands of employees, and the story is the same everywhere. It is hard to find talent, hard to keep good people, and staffing costs keep rising. In a market where filling critical industrial roles can take months and turnover is constant, Laborup helps teams move qualified workers from first contact to on site interview in days instead of weeks and keep them on the floor longer.

Most of the workers our customers need are not on LinkedIn or the usual job boards. Laborup uses AI to find this hidden workforce, call and text them, screen and qualify them, build real profiles, and match them directly to the plants and roles where they can succeed. For workers, that means real, permanent roles at serious manufacturers, not one off gigs. For companies, it is durable infrastructure for hiring and retention at scale in a labor market that will stay tight for years.

We work across nuclear, defense, and advanced manufacturing, as well as sectors like aerospace, automotive, and food production. Teams that use Laborup hire 5 to 10 times faster, see around 3 times better retention, and cut cost per hire by up to 50 to 70 percent. That turns into fewer empty shifts, fewer missed orders, more stable teams, and more capacity without more headache.

We are building the modern talent system for America’s industrial base with a simple long term goal: put a billion industrial workers to work in good jobs that matter.

Industry
Retail & Ecommerce
Company Size
11-50 employees
Headquarters
Knoxville
Year Founded
Unknown
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