Manufacturing Technician

About the Opportunity

Honsel Fastening USA is a new manufacturing startup in Cary, IL, backed by Honsel Umformtechnik GmbH, a German fastener manufacturer with decades of engineering expertise. We're launching our first U.S. production line — an assembly machine and cold-forming header — and we're looking for our first key technical hire to help build this operation from the ground up.

This is not a typical technician role. You will be the founding member of our manufacturing floor, working directly alongside ownership, with a clear path to becoming our Lead Technician as the operation grows.

International training is part of this role. You'll travel to Germany for 2-4 weeks of hands-on training at our parent company's facility, learning directly from the engineers who have experience with our equipment. When our machines arrive in Cary, German engineers will travel here to lead startup, commissioning, and training — you'll work side by side with them from day one.

If you want a job where you install the machines, learn the process, and grow into running the floor — not just punch a clock — this is built for you.

What You'll Do

• Learn and operate our assembly machine and 6-station cold-forming header
• Travel to Germany for manufacturer training on equipment and process
• Work directly with visiting German engineers during equipment commissioning in Cary
• Perform setups, changeovers, and preventive maintenance
• Troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues on the production equipment
• Follow and help develop standard operating procedures and documentation
• Maintain 5S organization and safety standards on the floor
• Operate (or learn to operate) a forklift
• Take on increasing responsibility as you grow — including mentoring future hires and eventually leading floor operations

What We're Looking For

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED
• 2+ years of hands-on mechanical experience (automotive, diesel/heavy equipment, CNC, industrial machinery, or military mechanical background all welcome)
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting ability
• Ability to follow procedures and document your work
• Willingness and ability to learn automated production equipment
• Reliable, professional, and safety-minded
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally for training

Preferred:

• 3–5 years of mechanical/technical experience
• Experience with machine setups and changeovers
• Exposure to 5S or lean manufacturing principles
• Prior training or mentoring experience
• Valid passport or ability to obtain one

What matters most to us: maturity, ownership mentality, calm under pressure, and the drive to grow into a leadership role. We care more about your character and aptitude than your exact background — dealership techs, diesel mechanics, CNC operators, industrial maintenance techs, and mechanically-skilled military veterans have all thrived in similar roles.

Compensation & Growth

• Competitive starting pay, with a defined growth path tied to milestones including completion of Germany training, successful commissioning of production equipment, and performance review
• As an early-stage operation, we don't yet have a formal benefits program in place — compensation can be structured to reflect that, and we're open to discussing total compensation as part of an offer.
• Clear track to a salaried Lead Technician role as you take on floor leadership responsibilities
• All international travel and training expenses covered by the company
• Ground-floor opportunity with a growing manufacturing operation backed by an established German manufacturer

Why This Role Is Different

You won't be one of a hundred technicians on a line. You'll be the first technical hire at a new U.S. operation, trained directly by the engineers responsible for the equipment you'll run, with a real say in how this floor is built and a real path to leading it.

Pay: $28.00 - $30.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Safety equipment provided

Ability to Commute:

• Cary, IL 60013 (Required)

Work Location: In person