What Does an Assembler Do?
Assemblers use their skills to put together the various parts of a particular product. They might only assemble one set of components or the finished product. They have to read and interpret blueprints, assemble parts correctly, and ensure they fit as directed. They also perform repairs when necessary and report errors in the assembly line. Assemblers use a variety of tools, including machinery and basic hand tools, depending on the job and the industry. They perform routine inspections to check for accuracy and quality in their products. Assemblers need to have a thorough understanding of manufacturing to make sure everything is built to the proper specifications.
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National Average Salary
Assembler salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. To explore salary ranges by local market, please visit our sister site zengig.com.
The average U.S. salary for an Assembler is:
$37,300
Assembler Job Descriptions
Example 1
Your impact
As an assembler, you will be responsible for following schematics to create our finished products. You will be a key team member participating in the achievement of our daily, weekly, and monthly goals.
Key responsibilities
- Cut and strip wire and cable to the blueprint requirement
- Auto splices and/or solders reed switches, electronic components, and connectors to wire harnesses
- Installs PCB in stems and /or housings
- Sets mechanical switches and floats in accordance with blueprint specifications
- Mixes potting compound
- Installs grip rings, collars, floats, housings, and other types of hardware on sensors as specified on the blueprint or work instructions
- Perform visual and dimensional inspections of in-process and finished components, subassemblies, and products
- Installs the appropriate labels on the completed sensors
Position requirements
- Desire to own decisions and take responsibility for outcomes
- Good manual dexterity
- Soldering skills
- Knowledge of arithmetic
- Blueprint reading
- Ability to use measurement tools
- Knowledge of hand tools and how to use
- ISO9000 procedures and protocol
- Safety procedures and protocol
- Minimum high school diploma or general education degree GED
- Minimum one-year previous manufacturing assembly experience preferred
- Ability to read and interpret documents written in English
- Some basic computer skills
- Basic math skills
Example 2
Duties and responsibilities
- Work on non-automated equipment such as RF Sealer and other kitting functions
- Perform work-per-work instructions and area metrics
- Keep the work area clean by disposing of empty boxes and cardboard, as well as keeping material
- Inform proper personnel of material shortage
- Train others in all areas
- Adhere to all safety requirements in the work area
Knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Understand and follow verbal and written instructions
- Basic math skills
- Work well with others
Education requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent
Example 3
Responsibilities
- Learn and adhere to all safety policies and practices to avoid safety incidents
- Learn and adhere to all manufacturing policies and practices to ensure consistent production
- Ensure quality by following standard work/process instructions and identifying any potential risks to product quality
- Ensure that work areas remain clean and well organized
- Lifting up to 21-50 lbs. consistently
Education and experience
- Minimum of high school diploma or GED and 1 year of relevant manufacturing experience or equivalent combination of education and relevant manufacturing experience
- Previous experience in rollout is preferred
- Must have a basic command of the English language, both written and verbal
Job knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations
- Knowledge of air tools
- Basic mechanical knowledge
- Ability to read or learn to read a tape measure
How to Hire an Assembler
There are a number of initial considerations when hiring an assembler:
- Recruiting: Do you have the internal resources and tools to successfully source and recruit for this role?
- Complexity: Do you need a senior professional, or will mid, or even junior-level skills suffice?
- Duration: Is this a one-time project, or an indefinite need?
- Management: Do you have the time and expertise to direct the work effectively?
- Urgency: How time-sensitive is this need? What happens if it remains unfilled?
- Headcount: Do you have the budget and approval for an internal employee, or should you consider alternate options?
Answering these questions will help determine the best course of action for your current hiring need. Fortunately, various great options exist for every scenario, no matter how unique. If you are looking to hire an assembler, we recommend the following options:
1. Use 4 Corner Resources (or another professional recruiting firm)
The heavy lifting is done for you when working with a top-tier staffing company like 4 Corner Resources. We source, screen, recruit, and deliver only the most qualified candidate(s), saving you significant time and effort throughout the hiring process while you remain focused on your core business. Understanding your needs and ensuring the right candidate for the position is the key to our success.
This is the best route to take when:
- You need to fill the position quickly
- You want access to a vast talent pool of high-quality, prescreened candidates
- Your position is suited for temporary hiring services, contract staffing, or contract-to-hire recruiting, and you intend to direct the work activity.
- You are hiring an employee as a direct placement but aren’t able to recruit effectively or efficiently with your internal staff.
- You aren’t familiar with current salary rates, market trends, and available skill sets
2. Advertise your opening on a top job board
Your best option may be to advertise your opening on a proven job board. There are many widely used job sites out there that draw visits from qualified candidates. If you have someone internally who can dedicate the time and energy to sort through applications and screen individuals effectively, this can be a great choice.
We recommend using a job board when:
- Your internal recruiting team has the knowledge and experience to assess candidate qualifications
- You are hiring a direct employee and have time to manage the entire recruiting effort
- You have a process for receiving, screening, and tracking all resumes and applications
- You are prepared to respond to all applicants
There are many career sites out there. Here are the two we recommend for an assembler opening:
LinkedIn is a social network for job seekers, professionals, and businesses. With this popular job site, you can enhance your brand and advertise your open position to a wide audience of motivated, qualified candidates. Job postings on LinkedIn are also extremely streamlined and user-friendly, making it even easier for candidates to apply. Additionally, applicants can use their LinkedIn profile instead of a resume to expedite the process.
CareerBuilder
CareerBuilder has been a trusted source for hiring since 1995. Reach 80+ million unique, diverse U.S. job seekers annually by posting your jobs through their talent acquisition channels. Through CareerBuilder, you can engage candidates and drive them into your sourcing pipeline. We recommend using CareerBuilder for hiring when you have the internal resources and processes to review, screen, and reply to all applicants.
3. Leverage your internal resources
You can utilize your own website, social media, and employees to assist in your search for top candidates.
A company website posting should be the first step in notifying prospective candidates that you are hiring. Social media can also be a powerful tool for spreading the word about your new opening. As far as exposure is concerned, this option can be as good as some job boards when you have a large enough following across various platforms, like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter.
Current employees are every organization’s greatest asset. Encourage your internal team to promote job openings to their network by offering cash and other incentives.
We recommend these options when:
- Your brand has great name recognition
- You can consistently monitor and respond to candidate activity through your website and social media accounts
- You have a process in place to quickly and broadly communicate job openings and requirements
- You have an effective employee referral program in place
If you aren’t sure which path is best, schedule a discovery call today with our seasoned recruiting professionals. The 4 Corner team is on standby to help you find the best option for your unique hiring need.
Sample Interview Questions
- Tell me about the most complex item you’ve built. How did you do it?
- Are you able to read blueprints and schematics?
- How experienced are you working with tools?
- What do you feel are the most important skills for an assembler to possess?
- What is the most challenging aspect of the job of an assembler?
- How do you ensure the consistent quality of your work?
- What do you do if you receive an order with an error?
- How do you imagine a typical day in this factory?
- What are your expectations for the job of an assembler?
- Are you comfortable having quotas and targets to meet at work every day?
- Are you able to do repetitive jobs? How do you stay motivated?
- What will you do to ensure your safety at work, and the safety of your colleagues?
- Do you have any experience with [Your Preferred Tool] tool?
- Do you have experience with [Your Company’s Assembly Machines] machine?
- Do you have experience with laser-guided assembly instructions?
- Are you experienced with assembling products of different sizes?
- Are you detail-oriented?
- Do you work well as a part of a team?
- Do you have experience ordering supplies for parts and products?
- Are you familiar with energy-saving protocols to lower costs?
- What steps do you typically follow to keep factory equipment operational?