Apprentice Plant Engineer – Industrial Manufacturing | Waukegan, IL Launch Your Engineering Career in a Recession-Proof Industry! Join a company that’s been a cornerstone of American manufacturing for nearly a century, producing high-performance building products used in homes and businesses nationwide. This is your chance to grow under the mentorship of a seasoned engineering leader who climbed the ranks from the shop floor to overseeing operations across the U.S. – and is ready to help you do the same. Why You’ll Love This Role: ? Career Growth & Mobility: Start local, grow national. You’ll be based in Waukegan, but the potential for travel and leadership across a network of 17 U.S. plants is real. ? Mentorship That Matters: Work directly with an experienced Plant Engineer who’s built a career here and is eager to invest time in training and developing you. ? Impactful Work: Get involved in capital projects, process improvements, and plant-wide initiatives that directly impact production and efficiency. ? Stability & Benefits: Enjoy job security in an essential industry with comprehensive benefits including tuition reimbursement, 401K match, PTO, and more once converted to full-time. ? Tight-Knit Team Culture: Be part of a collaborative, down-to-earth group where your contributions are recognized, and your growth is prioritized. What You’ll Do: Work alongside the Plant Engineer on mechanical and electrical capital projects. Troubleshoot and maintain plant equipment and systems. Implement continuous improvement initiatives to optimize plant operations. Gain hands-on experience with a manufacturing process from raw material to finished product. Collaborate with production and maintenance teams to solve operational challenges. Stay ready to roll up your sleeves – off-shift availability is part of the gig! What We’re Looking For: Experience: At least 1 year in a hands-on industrial environment. Electrical Skills: Comfortable with wiring, pipe bending, and basic PLC troubleshooting. Mindset: Self-directed problem solver with a passion for learning and continuous improvement. Flexibility: Willingness to step in during off-shift hours (nights/weekends) as needed. Education: Associates or bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field preferred (not required). Bonus Points For: Familiarity with HMI software (Intellution, ISIX, Wonderware). Prior experience in roles like Industrial Engineer, Maintenance Technician, or Manufacturing Engineer. Compensation: Competitive hourly pay (targeting under $40/hour) + Overtime Contract-to-hire with strong potential for full-time conversion. Location: On-site | Waukegan, IL Standard Shift: 6am-2pm or 7am-3pm + OT (expect additional hours during peak seasons). If you’re hands-on, driven, and ready to build a career (not just clock in), we’d love to hear from you.