Electro-Mechanical Machine Builder, OEM Automation

A Day Building Big Machines in Itasca

Picture this: you clock in early on first shift, roll a frame into position, study a detailed print, and by day’s end you’ve aligned drive trains, set sensors, and watched a brand-new system come to life. If that sounds like your kind of day, read on.

Role Snapshot

• Location: Itasca, IL
• Pay: $25–$32/hour (top range for seasoned builders)
• Overtime: 15–20 hours/week available
• Schedule: 1st shift, early start; longer days with occasional half Saturdays preferred
• Employment Type: Contract-to-hire (approximately 6 months)
• Industry: Industrial Automation, OEM, Data Center Infrastructure

About the Company

Join a 100 year-old OEM in hyper-growth mode. The team is expanding headcount, adding facilities, and scaling output to fulfill major long-term contracts tied to data centers and large industrial programs. You’ll have steady work, reliable overtime, and a clear path to full-time conversion.

Your Day-to-Day

• Assemble complex automated machinery to engineering specifications
• Interpret and work from mechanical drawings and assembly prints
• Build and square frames; align drives, motors, shafts, drums, rolls, and bearings
• Install, plumb, and adjust pneumatics and hydraulics; mount sensors, brackets, and guarding
• Perform run-offs, tune mechanical systems, and complete final checks
• Use hand tools and precision instruments (calipers, micrometers, pi-tapes)
• Move and position heavy components with forklifts and overhead cranes
• Assist with shipping/receiving of completed equipment when needed
• Keep the work area safe, orderly, and audit-ready
• Share ideas that improve build flow, quality, and repeatability

Must-Haves

• 3 years as a Machine Builder, Industrial Assembler, or Automation Technician
• Strong print-reading and mechanical interpretation skills
• Hands-on experience assembling sophisticated automated equipment
• Proficiency with common hand tools and precision measurement
• Experience operating forklifts and rigging with overhead cranes
• Comfort with contract-to-hire arrangements and significant overtime

Nice-to-Haves

• 5 years in machine building or OEM assembly
• Background in automation, capital equipment, or OEM manufacturing
• Forklift and crane certifications
• Trade school or technical degree (or equivalent practical experience)

Who Thrives Here

• Detail-driven, safety-conscious builders who deliver quality the first time
• Team players who communicate clearly on a busy production floor
• People who don’t mind long days and some Saturdays when demand is high

Physical Realities

• Standing and walking for extended periods
• Frequent lifts up to 50 lbs; occasional lifts up to 100 lbs with assistance

Hiring Process

• One on-site interview
• Rapid feedback and quick start dates

Why You’ll Love It

• Build large-scale industrial and data center systems with real-world impact
• Strong backlog and visibility into long-term projects
• Consistent overtime for those who want it
• Fast, organized OEM environment with investment in growth
• Clear path to full-time employment