Production Associate - Hot Melt Department
Whelen Engineering
Salary undisclosed
Need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview? Contact us.
JobMinglr uses automated technology to recommend jobs based on profile information and job preferences. Match Score does not determine eligibility for a position, prevent a user from viewing or applying to a job, or make hiring decisions on behalf of an employer.
Description
"Starting rate within the range will be based on the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience. Candidates with greater experience may be considered for a higher rate within the posted range."
Key Responsibilities
- Operating a Hotmelt adhesive dispensing automation cell
- Collaborating with Engineering and Quality teams to optimize adhesive applications
- Assemble components and products according to specifications, blueprints, and work instructions
- Operate hand tools, power tools, and assembly machinery safely and effectively to build products or assemble parts
- Work as part of a team to keep things moving smoothly on the production line
- Perform quality checks to ensure products meet standards
- Follow production procedures, safety protocols and company guidelines
- Maintain a clean and organized work area
- Open to learning new tasks, inter-departmental cross-training, assisting in work areas as needed
- Must be able to use simple electrical test equipment and follow written procedures to test products to ensure functionality
- Basic computer skills for tasks such as running test programs, tracking work orders, and printing necessary paperwork
- Ability to read and interpret drawings, diagrams, blueprints, specifications, work orders or reports
- Communicate clearly with team members and supervisors
- Solve basic problems on your own and ask for help when needed, escalating more complex issues appropriately
- Understands and adheres to company quality standards
What we're looking for
- Experience working in manufacturing, production, or assembly preferred but not required
- Basic computer literacy and comfortable using technology like computers or tablets
- Good hand-eye coordination, and attention to detail
- Able to multitask and stay focused in a busy, fast-paced environment
- A team player with good communication skills
- Willingness to learn new technologies and product builds
- Dependable and on time
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- High School diploma or equivalent preferred but not required
- Prior manufacturing experience preferred but not required
- Able to lift up to 35 pounds
- Regularly performs repetitive tasks
- Able to stand for entire shift
- Regularly possesses manual dexterity to put parts or pieces together quickly and accurately
- Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus
Benefits
- Comply with the EH&S Policy and applicable regulatory and company EH&S rules and requirements
- Report to supervision conditions or practices that are either unsafe or that may adversely impact the environment, to ensure prompt resolution of potential hazards
- Attend scheduled EH&S training program
- Actively support the organization’s efforts to meet or exceed EH&S goals and plans
- Recommend improved EH&S practices
Benefits
- Comply with the EH&S Policy and applicable regulatory and company EH&S rules and requirements Report to supervision conditions or practices that are either unsafe or that may adversely impact the environment, to ensure prompt resolution of potential hazards Attend scheduled EH&S training program Actively support the organization’s efforts to meet or exceed EH&S goals and plans Recommend improved EH&S practices Must be able to communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and third parties. This ability to communicate requires the employee to be conversant in English as the majority of our workforce and the third parties that we encounter only speak English. The incumbent is responsible for complying with the policies in Whelen’s “Employee Handbook.” This Job Description is to serve as a guide. It is intended to be flexible and will continue to evolve over time with business needs and demands and may be updated periodically and at the Company’s discretion. Nothing in this position description changes or is intended to change the employment at-will relationship with the Company. Employment at-will means that an employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice.
About this role
Whelen Engineering is bringing on a Production Associate to work in their new WATMelt Cell, a specialized automation operation applying hot melt adhesive for aerospace and automotive products. You'll operate the adhesive dispensing equipment, collaborate with Engineering and Quality teams to refine processes, and handle component assembly according to specifications. The role combines hands-on machinery operation with quality oversight—you'll perform checks to ensure products meet standards, use basic electrical test equipment, and maintain detailed records on computer systems.
The ideal candidate has manufacturing or assembly experience and comfort with technology, though neither is required. You'll need solid attention to detail, good hand-eye coordination, and the ability to work quickly and accurately on repetitive tasks while standing for full shifts. Clear communication with your team and supervisors matters, as does a willingness to cross-train and take on new responsibilities as the department evolves. The position requires you to lift up to 35 pounds regularly and maintain specific vision abilities for close and detailed work.
This is a full-time, in-office role in Chester, Connecticut, with a starting salary of $18–$22 per hour based on your background and experience. The work environment is fast-paced and team-oriented, with an emphasis on safety, quality standards, and continuous learning.
This role's local market on JobMinglr
Pay for this role
$18 to $22 per year
That is the employer's posted range, and where you land in it is usually decided in one conversation. Before that conversation, run the numbers: analyze an offer for this role.
Before you apply, worth reading
How JobMinglr reads this job
Every listing here is scored against your profile before you apply: skills overlap, experience level, location and work arrangement, each weighted and explained. You see the score and the reasons, not just a list. How the matching works.