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Assistant Operator

Zekelman Industries · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Jul 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you noticed something unsafe at work. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they speak up and stop work when needed instead of hoping someone else handles it.

This is a midnight shift, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. How have you handled overnight work before?

What they are checking: Whether they can reliably show up and stay alert on nights, which affects safety and attendance.

Tell me about a time you helped a coworker who was falling behind.

What they are checking: Whether they are a team player, since mill output depends on every station keeping up.

What does mechanical aptitude mean to you? Give me an example of something you fixed or figured out.

What they are checking: Whether they are comfortable with machines and curious about how they work.

What would you do

The cutoff saw is cutting tubes at the wrong length. What would you do?

What they are checking: Whether they stop, alert the operator and check before more bad product is made.

As a floater you'll be moved between positions. How do you feel about that, and how do you learn a new spot?

What they are checking: Whether they are flexible and ask questions to learn safely instead of guessing.

Your foreman gives you an instruction you think might be unsafe. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they raise concerns respectfully but firmly before doing anything that could hurt someone.

About the work

This role covers the coil crane, butt welder, cutoff saw, bundler and table. Which of those have you run before?

What they are checking: Whether they have hands-on experience with mill equipment or at least similar heavy machinery.

What do you check before running a coil crane to move a steel coil?

What they are checking: Whether they know pre-use inspections and safe rigging, since a dropped coil can kill someone.

Why does housekeeping matter so much around a tube mill?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that clutter and scrap cause trips, fires and equipment damage.

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The full job description

As published by Zekelman Industries.

You may not know our name, but you know our products. What we make is part the places where we live, work and play – all day, everyday. Zekelman is a family of companies — 100% domestic manufacturers — with a legacy dating back to 1877. We’re proud to be the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and the leading innovator in multi-family housing development. We believe in what we build and what we build, builds the world around us. Hospitals, hotels, schools, bridges, airports and more. Come build a career you believe in. About the Role Atlas Tube, a division of Zekelman Industries, is seeking a Floater Assistant Operator for our facility in Chicago, IL. Reporting to the Production Foreman, the Assistant Operator will safely operate machines and maintain awareness of machine safety requirements. This role involves operating individual equipment on the mill, including the coil crane, butt welder, cutoff saw, bundler, table, and/or offline, performing area housekeeping, and assisting in other production operations as needed. This position is ideal for someone with strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. Pay: $26.79 plus Production Incentive Bonus Shift: Midnight 11pm - 7am What You’ll Do • Perform duties in accordance with company safety policies and report unsafe conditions. • Troubleshoot, solve, and communicate problems to the mill crew. • Communicate quality requirements to the mill crew and ensure they are met. • Maintain offline requirements to ensure quick-change operation. • Assist maintenance in making equipment repairs. • Calibrate micrometers at the start of each shift and during changeovers. • Assist in changeovers and inspect tooling condition at the end of each rolling, communicating the need for reconditioning. • Support other team positions and functions as necessary. • Maintain housekeeping standards in all work areas. • Perform other duties as assigned. • Participate in training and cross-training of new and current team members. • Perform preventive maintenance (PM) activities as assigned. • Ensure regular, full-time, predictable onsite attendance per the posted schedule. • Lead and promote health and safety work practices as required by regulatory agencies and company policy. Who You Are • Experience: 5+ years of manufacturing experience preferred. • Education: Associate’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or trade certification preferred. • Technical Skills: Strong mechanical aptitude and basic math skills; visual acuity to read and record numerical data; previous experience with precision instruments (micrometers, calipers, etc.) preferred. • Soft Skills: Good communication and interpersonal skills. • Additional Qualifications: Crane certification required; commitment to safe work practices and predictable attendance. Physical Abilities • Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. • Ability to lift, climb, bend, stoop, push, and pull; must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. • Work environment includes a loud manufacturing/industrial setting. • Regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and fumes or airborne particles; occasional exposure to wet and/or humid conditions. What You’ll Get Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental coverage. Additional benefits include: • Competitive Compensation • Bonus Plan & Profit-Sharing Opportunities • 401(k) with Company Match • Comprehensive Health, Dental & Vision Insurance • Tuition Assistance Program • Paid Vacation & Holidays • Employee Loyalty Awards Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits.  In addition, we have an amazing tuition assistance program, a bonus plan, a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, immediate vesting, and much more. M/F/D/V We are Zekelman Industries. We manufacture superior quality tubular and related products, and provide outstanding service for our valued customers. We seek to continuously advance the skills and opportunities of our employees, utilizing the latest technology and management tools available to consistently increase profitability and the enterprise value of Zekelman Industries and of our customers.

Apply at Zekelman Industries