Home Manufacturing & Production
Manufacturing & Production careers
Roles in Manufacturing & Production: what they pay, where they're heading and how to get in.
Assembler
Assemblers fit, fasten and join components into finished products, usually working one station on a manufacturing line.
Baker
Bakers mix, shape and bake bread, cakes and pastries to a daily production schedule, keeping the shelves full and the standard consistent from batch to batch.
Blacksmith
A blacksmith heats metal in a forge and shapes it by hand, making and repairing gates, tools, hardware and architectural ironwork.
Boat Builder
Boat builders construct, fit out and repair vessels in fibreglass, aluminium, timber and composite materials, and their work keeps commercial fleets and recreational craft seaworthy.
Boiler Operator
Boiler operators run the boilers and auxiliary plant that produce steam and hot water for industrial processes, heating and power.
Brewer
Brewers turn malt, hops, yeast and water into beer, controlling the temperature, timing and cleanliness that decide whether a batch turns out right.
Butcher
Butchers cut, prepare and sell meat, turning whole carcases into the cuts customers take home or cook with.
Canvas Goods Maker
Canvas goods makers measure, cut and stitch heavy fabric into tarpaulins, awnings, swags and covers that keep cargo, equipment and outdoor spaces out of the weather.
Cellar Hand
Cellar hands carry out the fermentation, barrel and tank work that turns grapes into wine.
Cheesemaker
Cheesemakers turn milk into cheese by controlling the cultures, curds and maturation that decide how a batch tastes and how long it keeps.
Chemical Plant Operator
Chemical plant operators run the reactors, vessels and pumps that turn raw materials into fuels, plastics and industrial chemicals, keeping output within specification and the plant safe.
Clay Products Machine Operator
Clay products machine operators run the extruders, presses and kilns that turn clay into bricks, roof tiles and pipes, keeping a plant's output steady and to size.
Coffee Roaster
Coffee roasters turn green coffee beans into the roasted product cafes and shops sell, adjusting heat, airflow and time to bring out the flavour of each batch.
Concrete Products Machine Operator
Concrete products machine operators run the machines that mould blocks, pipes, panels and pavers for the construction industry.
Continuous Improvement Manager
A continuous improvement manager finds where a factory or production line is wasting time, materials or money, and leads the changes that fix it.
Cooper
Coopers build and repair the wooden barrels that wineries and distilleries use to age wine and spirits.
Distiller
Distillers make spirits such as whisky, gin and rum, controlling fermentation and distillation to shape the flavour and quality of every bottle a distillery sells.
Electroplater
Electroplaters use electrical current and chemical baths to deposit a thin metal coating on a part, which protects it from corrosion or gives it a particular finish.
Engineering Patternmaker
Engineering patternmakers build the precision patterns, core boxes and tooling that foundries use to cast metal and moulded parts.
Fibreglass Laminator
Fibreglass laminators build composite parts by laying glass reinforcement and resin into moulds, producing boat hulls, vehicle panels, tanks and similar components.
Fitter
Fitters build, install and repair the machinery that keeps factories, mines and processing plants running.
Fitter and Turner
Fitter and turners machine metal parts to fine tolerances and fit them into machinery, keeping plant and production equipment running accurately.
Food Factory Worker
Food factory workers run the machines and lines that turn raw ingredients into packaged food, keeping each batch safe and consistent.
Food Quality Assurance Officer
Food quality assurance officers test and audit food production so products are safe, meet their specifications and stay within food law.
Food Technologist
Food technologists develop and test food products, checking they're safe, consistent and compliant before they reach supermarket shelves.
Foundry Moulder
Foundry moulders make sand moulds and pour molten metal into them to cast the metal parts used in mining, transport and construction.
Furniture Finisher
Furniture finishers apply stains, oils, lacquers and polishes to timber furniture, protecting the surface and giving each piece its final appearance.
Garment Cutter
Garment cutters turn rolls of fabric into the cut pieces a clothing maker sews together, following patterns and laying out the cloth so as little as possible is wasted.
Glass Production Operator
Glass production operators run the furnaces, forming machines and finishing lines that turn molten glass into bottles, jars, windows and specialist products, and their control of temperature and timing keeps output consistent.
Gunsmith
Gunsmiths maintain, repair and build firearms for licensed owners, machining and hand-fitting the parts that make a rifle or shotgun safe and accurate.
Industrial Spray Painter
Industrial spray painters apply the protective and decorative coatings that keep manufactured goods, structures and equipment from corroding.
Leather Goods Maker
Leather goods makers cut, stitch and finish leather into bags, belts, wallets and other items, often by hand and usually in small runs.
Machine Operator
Machine operators set up and run production machinery, keeping output consistent and within spec across a shift.
Meat Boner and Slicer
Meat boners and slicers break down carcases into cuts, removing bones and slicing meat to the weights and sizes a plant or customer needs.
Meat Inspector
Meat inspectors check livestock and carcases for disease and contamination, which keeps Australian meat safe to eat and cleared for export.
Meat Process Worker
Meat process workers slaughter, bone, slice and pack meat in abattoirs and processing plants, supplying the red meat, poultry and smallgoods sold through supermarkets and butcher shops.
Metal Fabricator
Metal fabricators cut, shape and weld metal stock into finished parts and structures, working from engineering drawings to a set tolerance.
Metal Machinist
Metal machinists set up and run lathes, mills and CNC machines to cut metal stock and castings into parts that hold to exact tolerances.
Metal Polisher
Metal polishers grind, buff and polish metal surfaces to a set finish, so components resist corrosion and meet the appearance a customer or a standard requires.
Metal Trades Assistant
Metal trades assistants support qualified tradespeople by cutting, positioning and moving metal and equipment so fabrication and maintenance jobs stay on schedule.
Optical Mechanic
Optical mechanics cut, grind and fit prescription lenses into frames, turning an optometrist's prescription into a pair of glasses that works.
Packaging Operator
Packaging operators run the machinery that fills, wraps and seals products before they leave a factory for sale or distribution.
Paper Machine Operator
Paper machine operators run the mill machinery that turns wood pulp into large rolls of paper, holding moisture, thickness and speed steady across a process that runs continuously.
Plastics Fabricator
Plastics fabricators cut, weld and shape plastic sheet, pipe and profile into parts made to a drawing.
Plastics Machine Operator
Plastics machine operators set up and run the machines that mould and extrude plastic products, keeping a production line making parts to specification.
Plastics Technician
Plastics technicians set up and run the machines that turn polymer resin into moulded and extruded parts, keeping the process within specification so the parts coming off the line are fit to sell.
Pre-press Operator
Pre-press operators turn finished artwork into files a printing press can run, checking pages, images and colour before anything goes to print.
Precision Instrument Maker
Precision instrument makers build, calibrate and repair the fine measuring and control instruments that keep manufacturing, medicine and research accurate.
Print Finisher
Print finishers complete printed work, cutting, folding, stitching and binding sheets into finished books, brochures and packaging.
Printer
Printers set up and run the presses that turn artwork files into finished books, packaging, labels and commercial print.
Printer's Assistant
Printer's assistants keep the presses and finishing machines supplied, feeding in paper and ink and checking, stacking and packing the printed work that comes out.
Process Worker
Process workers run and monitor machinery on a production line, keeping product moving to spec and on schedule.
Production Manager
Production managers run the people, machinery and schedules that keep a plant producing to its output and quality targets.
Production Planner
Production planners build the schedules that tell a factory what to make, in what order and with what materials, so machines and people are working on the right job at the right time.
Quality Engineer
Quality engineers test and improve manufacturing processes so that the products coming off a line meet their specification.
Quality Inspector
Quality inspectors check materials, parts and finished products against a specification and decide what passes and what gets held back before it reaches a customer.
Quality Manager
Quality managers run the management systems that keep products and services meeting agreed standards, catching problems before they reach a customer.
Recycling Worker
Recycling workers sort the mixed paper, glass, plastic and metal that arrives at a materials recovery facility, separating what can be sold on from what goes to landfill.
Rubber Machine Operator
Rubber machine operators run the mixing mills, extruders and presses that turn raw rubber compound into finished parts.
Sail Maker
Sail makers cut, sew and finish the sails and canvas covers that boats rely on, working from design plans and the boat's own measurements.
Saw Doctor
Saw doctors sharpen, tension and repair saw blades so mills and workshops cut timber and metal accurately and with less waste.
Sawmill Operator
Sawmill operators cut logs into sawn timber, running the saws and grading the boards that supply builders, frame makers and packaging suppliers.
Scrap Metal Recycler
Scrap metal recyclers sort, process and prepare recovered metal so it can be sold back into manufacturing.
Screen Printer
Screen printers push ink through a fine mesh stencil to print onto garments, signage, glass and plastics, which suits short runs and awkward surfaces that other presses handle poorly.
Seafood Process Worker
Seafood process workers fillet, prepare and pack fish and shellfish so a highly perishable product reaches shops and restaurants in good condition.
Sewing Machine Mechanic
Sewing machine mechanics keep industrial and domestic sewing machines running, diagnosing faults, servicing equipment and getting production moving again.
Sewing Machinist
Sewing machinists run industrial machines that stitch fabric into clothing, furnishings and other textile products.
Sheet Metal Worker
Sheet metal workers cut, shape and join light gauge metal into ducting, cladding and fabricated parts, which keeps buildings ventilated and industrial plant running.
Shipwright
Shipwrights build, repair and refit boats, ships and marine structures in timber, composite, steel and aluminium.
Shoemaker
Shoemakers make and repair footwear by hand and machine, keeping custom fitting, resoling and small-batch leather production going in local workshops.
Slaughterer
Slaughterers kill and process livestock in abattoirs and meat processing plants, preparing carcasses for the meat trade.
Smallgoods Maker
Smallgoods makers turn fresh meat into sausages, ham, bacon and salami, supplying supermarkets, butcher shops and food service with safe, consistent products.
Stone Machine Operator
Stone machine operators cut, shape and polish stone on computer-controlled saws and polishers, turning slabs into benchtops, tiles and architectural features.
Textile Machine Operator
Textile machine operators run the looms, knitting machines and spinning frames that turn fibre into yarn and fabric, checking quality as the machines run.
Toolmaker
Toolmakers make and repair the dies, jigs, moulds and fixtures that other machines use to produce parts to exact tolerances.
Upholsterer
Upholsterers build and repair the padded, covered surfaces of furniture and vehicle interiors, from sofa frames to car seats.
Watchmaker
Watchmakers service and repair mechanical and quartz watches, keeping precision timepieces running accurately and holding their value.
Winemaker
Winemakers turn grapes into wine, managing fermentation, blending and bottling so each vintage tastes the way the label promises.
Wood Machinist
Wood machinists set up and run the machines that cut, shape and finish timber into parts for furniture, joinery and building products.
Wood Turner
Wood turners shape timber on a lathe into bowls, spindles, legs and decorative parts, working to a drawing or a sample.