Production Operator Jobs in Washington
Production Operator jobs in Washington are in consistent demand, concentrated in aerospace manufacturing, food and beverage processing, semiconductor fabrication, and pulp and paper production across the state. The busiest hiring markets are the Seattle-Tacoma corridor, the Tri-Cities area near Richland and Kennewick, and Spokane, where employers like Boeing, Lamb Weston, and Washington River Protection Solutions maintain large production workforces. Openings range from entry-level line operators to senior process technicians, with the strongest demand in chemical processing, cleanroom fabrication, and automated assembly. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Position Overview: The Grinder role is to perform abrasive grinding on various steel and stainless-steel castings. Performing the grinding operation at various stages of the casting finishing process the grinder works with Finishing Leads, NDT and Dimensional inspectors to ensure that the finished surfaces meet the customer quality expectations.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Use hand grinders and related tools to remove unwanted material from castings in accordance with work instructions and customer specifications.
- Prepare castings for final finishing by completing assigned grinding activities accurately and efficiently.
- Follow daily work instructions, production requirements, and established quality standards.
- Operate overhead cranes to position and move castings safely after receiving required training and authorization.
- Use appropriate hand tools, power tools, and equipment required to support grinding and finishing activities.
- Notify the Finishing Supervisor of safety concerns, quality issues, equipment problems, or maintenance needs requiring attention.
- Recommend process improvements that support safety, quality, and productivity.
- Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
- High School Diploma or equivalent required
- Ability to work with limited direct supervision.
- Ability to work independently or collaboratively within a team environment.
- Prior manufacturing, foundry, grinding, or other heavy industrial experience preferred.
- Prior experience using hand tools or power tools preferred.
Skills and Knowledge:
- Ability to understand and follow written and verbal work instructions.
- Basic knowledge of hand tools, power tools, and grinding equipment.
- Ability to safely operate or learn to operate overhead cranes and related material-handling equipment.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify quality or safety concerns.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Must be able to document work on daily Labor Tickets.
Physical Requirements:
Must have the ability to use arms, hands, legs and feet in repetitive motions
Must have the ability to change between sitting, standing, and kneeling positions
Must have the ability to twist, stoop, bend, and stand in the performance of job duties
Must have the ability to climb ladders or work at heights periodically
Must have the ability to lift and carry 20pounds repetitively and 55 pounds occasionally
Must have the ability to stand and walk on concrete floors and uneven surfaces for the duration of the work shift
Must have good vision and depth perception
Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment, including respirators.
Must be able to work in hot environments and withstand temperature fluctuations.
Pay Range: $24.00 - $34.96 an hour (depending on experience)
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 2:30pm - 11:00pm
Why join our team at Vulcan Metals? We believe our people are our greatest asset. Keeping our team safe and healthy; physically and mentally has always been our top priority. We encourage and support dynamic and flexible work options to promote a healthy balance and let you get the most out of your time.
Benefits:
Competitive Pay
Unionized Work Environment
Health, Dental, and Vision insurance options
Life and AD&D coverage provided by Vulcan Metals Corp.
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage provided by Vulcan Metals Corporation
Paid Holidays, PTO, and Vacation
401(k) with a company match
Employee Training and Education Reimbursement opportunities
We also recognize and reward our employees for the great outcomes they produce and for living Our Values with local programs.
Prior to commencing employment, you will be required to complete a background check and pre-employment physical including drug screening.
Vulcan Metals Corp. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we are committed to providing a diverse, inclusive, engaging and flexible environment for our people because great things happen when individuals are given the opportunity to bring themselves into their work. All employment will be based on merit, competence, performance and business needs.
https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/eeo-law-poster
WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST NO RECRUITMENT AGENCY APPROACHES
Position Overview: The Grinder role is to perform abrasive grinding on various steel and stainless-steel castings. Performing the grinding operation at various stages of the casting finishing process the grinder works with Finishing Leads, NDT and Dimensional inspectors to ensure that the finished surfaces meet the customer quality expectations.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Use hand grinders and related tools to remove unwanted material from castings in accordance with work instructions and customer specifications.
- Prepare castings for final finishing by completing assigned grinding activities accurately and efficiently.
- Follow daily work instructions, production requirements, and established quality standards.
- Operate overhead cranes to position and move castings safely after receiving required training and authorization.
- Use appropriate hand tools, power tools, and equipment required to support grinding and finishing activities.
- Notify the Finishing Supervisor of safety concerns, quality issues, equipment problems, or maintenance needs requiring attention.
- Recommend process improvements that support safety, quality, and productivity.
- Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
- High School Diploma or equivalent required
- Ability to work with limited direct supervision.
- Ability to work independently or collaboratively within a team environment.
- Prior manufacturing, foundry, grinding, or other heavy industrial experience preferred.
- Prior experience using hand tools or power tools preferred.
Skills and Knowledge:
- Ability to understand and follow written and verbal work instructions.
- Basic knowledge of hand tools, power tools, and grinding equipment.
- Ability to safely operate or learn to operate overhead cranes and related material-handling equipment.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to identify quality or safety concerns.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Must be able to document work on daily Labor Tickets.
Physical Requirements:
Must have the ability to use arms, hands, legs and feet in repetitive motions
Must have the ability to change between sitting, standing, and kneeling positions
Must have the ability to twist, stoop, bend, and stand in the performance of job duties
Must have the ability to climb ladders or work at heights periodically
Must have the ability to lift and carry 20pounds repetitively and 55 pounds occasionally
Must have the ability to stand and walk on concrete floors and uneven surfaces for the duration of the work shift
Must have good vision and depth perception
Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment, including respirators.
Must be able to work in hot environments and withstand temperature fluctuations.
Pay Range: $24.00 - $34.96 an hour (depending on experience)
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 2:30pm - 11:00pm
Why join our team at Vulcan Metals? We believe our people are our greatest asset. Keeping our team safe and healthy; physically and mentally has always been our top priority. We encourage and support dynamic and flexible work options to promote a healthy balance and let you get the most out of your time.
Benefits:
Competitive Pay
Unionized Work Environment
Health, Dental, and Vision insurance options
Life and AD&D coverage provided by Vulcan Metals Corp.
Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverage provided by Vulcan Metals Corporation
Paid Holidays, PTO, and Vacation
401(k) with a company match
Employee Training and Education Reimbursement opportunities
We also recognize and reward our employees for the great outcomes they produce and for living Our Values with local programs.
Prior to commencing employment, you will be required to complete a background check and pre-employment physical including drug screening.
Vulcan Metals Corp. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we are committed to providing a diverse, inclusive, engaging and flexible environment for our people because great things happen when individuals are given the opportunity to bring themselves into their work. All employment will be based on merit, competence, performance and business needs.
https://www.eeoc.gov/employers/eeo-law-poster
WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST NO RECRUITMENT AGENCY APPROACHES
See All 31 Production Operator Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Operator JobsProduction Operator Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Production Operator Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in production operator jobs across Washington.
- High school diploma or GED required by most Washington production employers
- Ability to operate and monitor automated production or assembly line equipment
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) or ISO quality standards
- Physical ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 pounds regularly
- Experience reading and following standard operating procedures and work orders
- Forklift certification or willingness to obtain certification on the job
Production Operator Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a production operator in Washington?
Most production operator roles in Washington require a high school diploma or GED plus on-the-job training, which employers typically provide. For roles in food processing facilities, handlers must complete a food worker card through the Washington State Department of Health. Chemical and nuclear production sites near the Tri-Cities may require federal site clearance and HAZWOPER safety training. Community and technical colleges across Washington offer manufacturing technology certificates that give candidates a practical edge.
Which companies hire production operators in Washington?
Companies currently hiring production operators in Washington include Simplot Company, Vulcan Metals Corporation, and Airgas, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Washington's mix of aerospace, food processing, semiconductor, and nuclear remediation industries means production operator demand comes from a wide range of employer types across both western and eastern parts of the state.
Which Washington cities have the most production operator jobs?
Kent, Tacoma, and Everett consistently have the most production operator openings in Washington. The Seattle-Tacoma area anchors demand through Boeing's manufacturing operations and a dense cluster of food and consumer goods facilities, while the Tri-Cities region around Richland and Kennewick draws significant hiring from the Hanford Site cleanup work and agricultural processing plants.
Are there remote production operator jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they're rare. Production operator work is fundamentally hands-on and tied to physical equipment, so most roles require on-site presence. About 0% of production operator openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and these tend to be supervisory, quality documentation, or process optimization roles rather than direct line operations.
How can I get hired as a production operator in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to food processing and packaging facilities, which regularly hire with no prior manufacturing experience and train on the job. Washington employers like Lamb Weston and Darigold run seasonal and full-time associate production roles that welcome career changers. Warehouse associate or material handler roles at large distribution operations are also common stepping stones. Completing a manufacturing technology certificate at a Washington technical college, such as those offered through the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges network, strengthens any application.
Where can I find and apply to production operator jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to production operator jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, shift preference, and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 31 Production Operator Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Production Operator Jobs