Manufacturing Technician (Operations & Development)
Alcoa · Pennsylvania
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Production
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- 25 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level production role at Alcoa (metals) in Pennsylvania. You’ll develop a broad skill set across production, testing, and development work while collaborating closely with engineers and technical teams.
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 28 other live production postings in Pennsylvania.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $73k–$91k, from 5 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 72%
- FDA / GMP 48%
- Root cause 31%
- Lean 28%
- Union environment 24%
- 5S 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Production team at Alcoa
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from AlcoaAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
About the Role
We are seeking a Manufacturing Technician to support manufacturing at the Alcoa Technical Center, an R&D environment with mid‑scale production capabilities. This role operates at the intersection of manufacturing, laboratory work, and technology development, directly supporting next‑generation aluminum processes and products.
You will perform hands‑on manufacturing and testing using industrial and laboratory equipment, follow structured work and safety requirements, and support both daily operations and development trials. Unlike traditional high‑volume production roles, this position offers direct involvement in process experimentation and scale‑up, helping move innovations from trial to application.
Why Join Us?
This technician role is ideal for people who enjoy variety, problem‑solving, and learning new equipment. You’ll develop a broad skill set across production, testing, and development work while collaborating closely with engineers and technical teams. With exposure to innovative processes not found in traditional manufacturing, this role offers hands‑on work with industrial equipment and strong long‑term growth potential.
What You’ll Do
Core
Responsibilities
- ◆Operate production and laboratory equipment by following work instructions and test plans
- ◆Support manufacturing and fabrication of ceramic powders and electrodes using mixers, presses, furnaces/kilns, mills, and related equipment (role dependent)
- ◆Support manufacturing and operation of electrolysis cells with exposure to high-temperature and molten metal (role dependent)
- ◆Record process data, test results, and observations accurately in logs and databases
- ◆Perform inspections, routine maintenance, and basic troubleshooting to keep equipment running reliably
- ◆Operate forklifts and overhead cranes (training and certification provided)
- ◆Work safely in industrial and laboratory environments, using required PPE and following safety procedures
- ◆Collaborate with Engineering and technical teams to execute trials and improve processes
What We’re Looking For
Required Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or GED
- ✓Valid driver’s license
- ✓Ability to follow detailed procedures and accurately document work
- ✓Comfort working with industrial & laboratory equipment
- ✓Willingness to work around high-temperature processes and, in some assignments, molten materials (role dependent)
- ✓Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) for extended periods
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Experience in manufacturing, production, laboratory, or testing environments
- ✓Trade school or technical training (mechanical or electrical preferred)
- ✓Experience with basic mechanical troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, or equipment setup/changeover
- ✓Experience working in noisy, industrial, or high‑temperature environments
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Shape Your World
At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper.
Manufacturing Technician (Operations & Development) | Alcoa Technical Center (New Kensington, PA)
$1,000 Sign-On Bonus Available*
Quick Summary: Hands‑on manufacturing role at the Alcoa Technical Center, operating industrial equipment in an R&D environment to support both production and new aluminum technology development. Rotating 12‑hour shifts, shift differential, overtime, and strong benefits.
Benefits & Growth
- •120 hours of paid vacation annually (prorated from date of hire)
- •10 paid holidays plus one flexible holiday
- •56 hours of sick/safe leave
- •401(k) with up to 6% employer match plus additional company contributions
- •Medical, dental, vision, and HSA options
- •Ongoing training, cross-training, and long-term career growth opportunities (operations, quality, maintenance, and technical development paths)
About the Location
Every day is a new and exciting challenge at the Alcoa Technical Center in New Kensington, PA, just north of Pittsburgh. We develop new technologies with our Breakthrough Technologies team that has the potential to impact the life of millions of people and foster the sustainable footprint from Alcoa to the world. It was here where we developed the technology recently announced in partnership with Rio Tinto, called ELYSIS™, where we will produce aluminum with ZERO emission of greenhouse gases. In fact, we will actually be generating oxygen to our atmosphere during the aluminum production process– a revolution to the aluminum industry!
We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress. Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate.
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