Material Specialist - Military & Defense Manufacturing Materials
Job Description
This role supports a fast-growing defense technology organization by ensuring accurate, efficient, and timely movement of materials across multiple facilities in the Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, CA area. As a Materials Associate, you will work within the Supply Chain team to manage shipping, receiving, inventory control, and material flow, while maintaining high standards of organization, accuracy, and customer service. This is a day-shift position (approximately 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) with frequent overtime, and flexibility to support other shifts is a strong plus.
Responsibilities
Process shipping and receiving activities at the Santa Ana and Costa Mesa locations, ensuring all inbound and outbound materials are handled accurately and on time.
Prepare finished stock for shipment by identifying, pulling, packing, crating, labeling, loading, and securing products according to established procedures.
Serve as the key point of contact to ensure that all material movements across sites are accurately recorded and transacted in the appropriate systems.
Support orderly production and distribution by pulling orders from inventory, delivering production materials and supplies to designated areas, and staging finished products for final distribution.
Perform regular cycle counts and conduct all warehouse activities with inventory accuracy as a top priority, promptly identifying and addressing discrepancies.
Maintain inventory by identifying and labeling materials, keeping supplies in stock, recording inventory locations, and reporting shortages or issues to the appropriate team members.
Operate forklifts, pallet jacks, and other material handling equipment safely to move items, or coordinate with machine operators to load and unload trucks and loading docks.
Expedite the flow of materials, parts, and assemblies within and between departments in alignment with production schedules and operational priorities.
Follow and maintain standard operating procedures to ensure consistent, compliant, and efficient warehouse and material handling operations.
Communicate clearly and professionally with internal stakeholders to provide excellent customer service and support for production and supply chain needs.
Lift and move objects up to 35 lbs as part of daily material handling duties.
Travel between nearby sites (within approximately 10 miles) as needed to provide material support across multiple facilities.
Essential Skills
At least 2 years of experience as a warehouse associate or in an equivalent materials or logistics role.
At least 2 years of experience using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and/or other warehouse management and inventory control tools.
Hands-on experience with material handling, including shipping, receiving, and cycle counting in a warehouse or production environment.
Proficiency in inventory management involving Lot, Serial, and Batch tracking in high-mix, high-volume production environments.
Ability to operate forklifts and pallet jacks safely and effectively.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office or equivalent office management software for documentation, reporting, and communication.
Strong organization skills with excellent attention to detail and a focus on inventory accuracy.
Excellent customer service skills and the ability to communicate clearly with internal stakeholders.
Ability to prioritize tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
Ability to lift and move objects up to 35 lbs as part of routine job duties.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to travel between nearby sites as needed.
Eligibility to obtain and maintain a U.S. Top Secret security clearance.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience working with high mix, high production volume environments where precise Lot, Serial, and Batch tracking is required.
Experience with ERP platforms such as NetSuite or comparable warehouse management and inventory control systems.
Prior experience as a warehouse associate or material handler in a manufacturing, defense, or technology-focused organization.
Demonstrated ability to follow and maintain standard operating procedures in a regulated environment.
Flexibility to support second or third shifts as needed, in addition to regular day shift hours.
Comfort working with advanced technology products and components within a defense or high-tech setting.
Why Work Here?
You will join a rapidly growing, well-funded technology organization that is expanding its facilities and capabilities to support cutting-edge defense programs. The company emphasizes long-term growth and invests in top performers, offering opportunities to be brought on directly as part of the internal team. You will work alongside a collaborative, mission-driven group that values accuracy, reliability, and continuous improvement, while providing a stable environment with consistent work and overtime opportunities.
Work Environment
The role is based in clean, modern facilities in the Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, CA area within a large organization that is actively growing and expanding, including building a new facility with recent funding. You will primarily work a day shift schedule (approximately 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) with a significant amount of overtime, and flexibility to support second or third shifts is highly valued. The position requires travel between nearby sites within roughly 10 miles, so reliable transportation is important. The environment is warehouse and production oriented, utilizing forklifts, pallet jacks, and ERP-based inventory systems, with a strong emphasis on safety, organization, and cleanliness.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Santa Ana, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $27.50/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Santa Ana,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 2026.
About Aerotek
Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.
Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
