Start on the Floor. Build a Career in the Forge.
Milwaukee Forge is a well-established and respected manufacturer in the Milwaukee area — and we are growing. We are expanding our forging production capacity and looking for motivated, hardworking people who want to learn a trade, earn good pay, and build a long-term career in a union shop environment.
This is a hands-on production role with a real path forward. You will start in General Labor learning how our equipment, processes, and teams operate, with the opportunity to grow into a skilled Press or Machine Operator position as you build your knowledge and prove your reliability.
You do not need years of experience to start. You need the right attitude.
Phase 1 — General Labor
In this entry-level production role, you will work on the forge floor supporting press, furnace, and hammer operations. You will learn how the shop runs, develop hands-on skills, and lay the foundation for advancement.
What You'll Do
- Perform basic machine set-up and operation support
- Use hand tools — wrenches, tape and steel rules, hammers, key and tool holders
- Load presses, handle materials, and track production counts
- Read basic work orders and routing sheets
- Use basic math to count parts and read measuring scales to 1/16 of an inch
- Work effectively within teams, crews, and work cells
- Support a safe, productive floor environment
What You Bring
- A willingness to learn and take on new skills — this is a pay-for-knowledge environment
- Physical stamina and comfort in an active, industrial plant setting
- Reliability — a solid work history and attendance record
- Self-motivation and a team-first mindset
- Basic math skills for counting and measuring
Career Path: General Labor → Press / Machine Operator — Grow your skills, grow your pay.
Phase 2 — Press / Machine Operator
As you develop your skills and demonstrate reliability on the floor, you will have the opportunity to advance into a Press or Machine Operator role. In this position, you will operate and tend heavy forging machinery to shape and form metal through hot or cold forging processes — flattening, bending, piercing, cutting, and tapering metal to specification.
What You'll Do
- Set up, operate, and monitor presses and forging machines for hot or cold forging operations
- Review job orders and execute daily production requirements to specification
- Troubleshoot equipment and process issues with attention to detail
- Carry out safety checks on machinery before and during production runs
- Maintain a safe work environment and follow all established rules and procedures
- Communicate effectively with supervisors and crew — written and verbal
- Train and mentor newer operators as you develop your expertise
- Lift a minimum of 23 kilograms and remain in physically demanding positions for extended periods
What You'll Build Toward
- Full machine operation and set-up capability on press and forging equipment
- Deep knowledge of forging processes, tooling, and quality standards
- Leadership and training skills to develop the next generation of operators
- Recognition as a skilled trades professional in a union environment
Why Milwaukee Forge
We are a union shop with a track record of investing in our people. This is not a dead-end job; it is an entry point into a skilled trade with real earning potential and long-term stability.
If you are ready to start building something — apply today.
Pay: $18.00 - $22.50 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
