Machine Operator

PERMANENT SCHEDULE IS 2ND SHIFT (3:25pm - 11:55pm) - or - PERMANENT SCHEDULE IS 3RD SHIFT (10:35pm-7:05am).

Training will be on 1st shift (7am-3:30pm), Monday-Friday for 18 weeks.

About the Job

For more than 200 years, Atkins & Pearce has turned fiber into products that show up everywhere — from aerospace and medical devices to the wick in the candle on your table. We’re a 7th-generation, family-owned manufacturer right here in Covington, KY, and our team is growing. Right now, we’re looking for dependable Braider Machine Operators to join our 2nd and 3rd shift teams.

What You’ll Do

As a Braider Machine Operator, you’ll run a variety of braiding machines and help send quality product out the door. Day to day, you’ll:

Operate various winders, moving from station to station as needed

Run coating machines

Prep and pack finished product for shipment

Check your work against material specifications so every order meets our quality standards

You’ll be part of a team that values clear communication and coordination — we use a simple “5+1” communication approach to keep everyone on the same page — while still being trusted to work independently and safely within a production standard.

What You Bring

A high school diploma or GED

Attention to detail and pride in accurate, quality work

A safety-first mindset and a willingness to learn

That’s it — the rest, we’ll teach you.

Your Schedule & Work Environment

Full-time, 40 hours per week on 2nd shift or 3rd shift (possibly one weekend day on your permanent schedule)

Work takes place in our manufacturing facility, where hearing protection is required

All appropriate PPE is provided, including a hat or hairnet and hearing protection

The use of a pair of scissors is required to perform this job

This is hands-on, active work. Over the course of a shift, you can expect to:

Stand and walk on concrete for the full shift

Lift up to 50 lbs. occasionally

Work with your hands and arms above shoulder height

Bend or squat occasionally

Perform repetitive motions with your hands and wrists

Compensation — What You Can Earn

In the spirit of pay transparency, the base pay range for this role is $21.30 per hour. On top of your base rate, your pay can stack on top of your base pay with:

+$2.00 / hour shift differential when working 2nd or 3rd shift

+$1.00 / hour for each weekend day worked

+$1.25 / hour raise once you complete your training period

Benefits — What’s in It for You

We value our people, and we back that up with a benefits package built for real life:

Your health: Medical, dental, and vision insurance after 31 days of employment, plus an on-site clinic so you can get care without leaving work

Your peace of mind: Company-funded life insurance

Your future: 401(k) retirement savings plan

Your time: 2 weeks of paid time off (PTO) after training, 3 sick days, plus 9 paid holidays every year

Why Atkins & Pearce?

We’ve been making things since 1817 — that’s seven generations of family ownership and more than two centuries of know-how. Today we’re one of the most diverse technical textile manufacturers in North America, with thousands of braiding machines and thousands of unique customer applications across aerospace, automotive, medical, military, electrical, and more. When you join us, you join a stable, established company that still feels like family and makes products that matter.

Not Sure You Check Every Box?

If you’re reliable, safety-minded, and ready to learn, we encourage you to apply — even if you’ve never set foot on a manufacturing floor. We train the right people, and you might be exactly who we’re looking for.

What to Expect Next

A member of our team will review your application and reach out with details on next steps if it looks like a good match. We look forward to hearing from you.

Additional Details

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Department Manager

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee may also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management as required. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job, and the employer reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Atkins & Pearce is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We encourage all people to apply regardless of age, gender, gender expression, or criminal conviction history.

This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Atkins & Pearce makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Compensation details: 21.3-26.55 Hourly Wage