How to hire a plating machine operator

How to hire a plating machine operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step plating machine operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a plating machine operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new plating machine operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The plating machine operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a plating machine operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a plating machine operator that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of plating machine operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Plating Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Plating Machine Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$12-21
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25
   Machine Operator	Machine operators are responsible for managing the machines assigned to them. They set up, install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and ensure quality output... Show more	$12-19

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Calipers
   • Article Inspection
   • Coats

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate plating machines to fill production needs and backup PMO's.
   • Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
   • Perform repair and preventive maintenance on machinery including cleaning, oiling and adjusting.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your plating machine operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A plating machine operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, plating machine operators' average salary in new jersey is 40% less than in oregon.
   • Seniority. Entry-level plating machine operators earn 43% less than senior-level plating machine operators.
   • Certifications. A plating machine operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a plating machine operator's salary.

   Average plating machine operator salary

   $16.27hourly

   $33,834 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level plating machine operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a plating machine operator job description

   A job description for a plating machine operator role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a plating machine operator job description:

   Plating machine operator job description example

   Sanmina Corporation (Nasdaq:SANM) is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider serving the fastest-growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. Recognized as a technology leader, Sanmina Corporation provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions, delivering superior quality and support to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMS) primarily in the communications networks, defense and aerospace, industrial and semiconductor systems, medical, multimedia, computing and storage, automotive and clean technology sectors. Sanmina Corporation has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world.
   
   Job Purpose: Candidate will be making chemical adds to baths or sumps to ensure PWB's are properly etched.
   Nature of Duties/Responsibilities
   
   * Through use of a computer interface, candidate must be able to enter operating parameters, job information and view various screens to decipher proper operating settings.
   * Be able to operate and maintain the various pieces of equipment within the department.
   * Measure out the proper quantities and make chemical adds to baths or sumps.
   * Manually set up and transfer solution between tanks, totes, or barrels.
   * Replace filter material used throughout the various process tanks.
   * Clean, dry and properly dispose of used filter material.
   * Perform general housekeeping through the entire area. Inspect product for defects and conformance to process specifications.
   * Be able to extract various computer reports.
   * Provide assistance in performing routine preventative maintenance.
   * Scrubbing and cleaning of mechanical devices or hardware.
   * Assist in replacement of non-precision mechanical devices.
   * Candidate would be required to work on, in, and around open sumps, plating tanks or mechanical hoists.
   
   Education and Experience
   
   * High School Education
   * Minimum of 1-2 years Industry experience preferred
   * Familiarity with computers
   * Ability to work in and around chemicals
   * Good manual dexterity
   * Position will require candidate to stand, walk, push and pull transportation carts between depts.
   * Must have good verbal and written communication skills.
   * Must be available to work overtime and weekends.
   * Knowledge in the following PCB plating equipment and processes: Outer Layer etch (SES), Tin Plating, electroytic copper plating, Electroless process.
   * Ability to lift up to 50lbs
   * Good Visual acuity
   * Prior Sanmina experience preferred.
   
   This is an ITAR facility and applicant must be a US Citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
   
   Sanmina is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/Veteran/Disability/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity

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5. Post your job

   To find plating machine operators for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any plating machine operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level plating machine operators with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your plating machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit plating machine operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit plating machine operators, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new plating machine operator

   Once you've found the plating machine operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new plating machine operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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