Job Overview
The Press Brake Operator is responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining the Cincinnati Press Brake 350PF+10 to bend, form, and shape steel plates, sheets, and fabricated components according to blueprints, shop drawings, work orders, and production requirements.
This position requires strong attention to detail, the ability to read and interpret drawings, proper material handling practices, quality control awareness, and a commitment to safe machine operation. The Press Brake Operator works closely with supervisors, fitters, welders, quality control, and other shop employees to ensure parts are produced accurately, efficiently, and safely.
Key Responsibilities
Machine Operation & Setup
- Set up and operate the Cincinnati Press Brake 350PF+10 to bend, form, or straighten steel plates, sheets, and other metal components.
- Review blueprints, shop drawings, sketches, work orders, and specifications to determine bend requirements, dimensions, tolerances, material type, and sequence of operations.
- Select, install, and adjust appropriate tooling, dies, punches, back gauges, and machine settings based on material thickness, bend radius, part geometry, and job requirements.
- Program CNC controls or manually adjust machine settings as needed to complete accurate bending operations.
- Perform test bends or first-piece inspections to verify setup accuracy before continuing production.
- Make adjustments to ram depth, back gauge position, tooling alignment, bend angle, or other settings to maintain conformance with specifications.
- Monitor machine operation throughout production to ensure consistent performance, accuracy, and part quality.
- Identify machine performance issues, irregular operation, or setup concerns and report them promptly to the appropriate supervisor or maintenance personnel.
Blueprint Reading & Layout
- Read and interpret structural steel drawings, fabrication drawings, part details, bend notes, dimensions, and tolerances.
- Confirm material requirements, bend direction, orientation, and finished part dimensions before processing.
- Verify that parts are formed according to the correct revision, work order, and production sequence.
- Communicate with supervisors and fitters when drawings, dimensions, or requirements are unclear.
Material Handling & Processing
- Inspect raw material before processing to confirm correct material type, thickness, size, and condition.
- Move, position, and load steel plates, sheets, and formed parts using appropriate material handling equipment, which may include overhead cranes, forklifts, hoists, magnets, clamps, or manual handling depending on part size and shop requirements.
- Safely stage material before and after forming to prevent damage, distortion, or unsafe conditions.
- Maintain awareness of part weight, balance, pinch points, sharp edges, and surrounding personnel during all handling operations.
- Organize completed parts for the next stage of fabrication, welding, inspection, or shipment as directed.
Quality Control & Inspection
- Measure and inspect formed parts using tape measures, squares, protractors, angle finders, calipers, micrometers, gauges, templates, or other measuring tools as required.
- Verify bend angles, flange lengths, overall dimensions, hole locations, flatness, squareness, and other critical features against drawings and specifications.
- Identify defects or deviations, including incorrect bend angles, wrong orientation, dimensional errors, material damage, tooling marks, cracking, or distortion.
- Correct minor deviations through machine adjustments when appropriate.
- Notify supervisors or quality control personnel of nonconforming parts, recurring issues, or questions regarding tolerances.
- Support first-piece checks, in-process inspections, and final verification of formed components.
Documentation & Communication
- Maintain accurate documentation of production activities as required, including completed work orders, setup information, quantities produced, rejected parts, material usage, and quality checks.
- Record machine settings, tooling selections, bend sequences, and adjustments when needed for repeat jobs or future reference.
- Communicate production status, delays, material issues, equipment concerns, and quality problems to the immediate supervisor.
- Work collaboratively with supervisors, QA/QC, fitters, welders, and other shop staff to resolve production issues and maintain workflow.
- Report discrepancies in drawings, material, or job instructions before proceeding when clarification is needed.
Maintenance & Housekeeping
- Perform routine cleaning of the press brake and surrounding work area.
- Inspect tooling, dies, punches, back gauges, guards, and machine components for wear, damage, or unsafe conditions.
- Report machine malfunctions, hydraulic issues, tooling damage, electrical concerns, leaks, or abnormal operation to the supervisor or millwright/maintenance personnel.
- Assist with basic preventive maintenance activities as directed and within the employee’s training level.
- Keep tools, measuring equipment, material, and finished parts organized to maintain a safe and efficient work area.
Safety
- Operate the press brake in accordance with company safety policies, machine-specific procedures, and applicable OSHA requirements.
- Wear required PPE at all times, including safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, steel-toed boots, and other PPE as required by the task.
- Follow proper lockout/tagout procedures when required and never bypass machine guards, safety devices, or established procedures.
- Maintain awareness of pinch points, crush hazards, sharp edges, suspended loads, stored energy, and moving equipment.
- Use proper lifting techniques and approved rigging/material handling methods.
- Stop work and notify a supervisor immediately if an unsafe condition, equipment issue, or serious quality concern is identified.
Required Qualifications
- Experience operating a press brake or similar metal forming equipment preferred.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, fabrication drawings, sketches, and work orders.
- Basic understanding of steel fabrication processes and material types.
- Ability to use measuring tools such as tape measures, squares, calipers, micrometers, angle finders, and gauges.
- Ability to perform basic shop math, including fractions, decimals, angles, and measurements.
- Ability to safely handle steel plates, sheets, and fabricated parts.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate work.
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Dependable attendance, good communication, and willingness to follow company procedures.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience with Cincinnati press brake equipment.
- Experience with CNC press brake controls and manual machine adjustments.
- Knowledge of bend allowances, bend deductions, material springback, tooling selection, and forming sequence.
- Experience working in a structural steel or fabrication shop environment.
- Forklift and/or overhead crane experience preferred.
- Familiarity with quality control practices in a fabrication environment.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, push, pull, and lift throughout the workday.
- Ability to lift and carry materials or tools as required, within company safety guidelines.
- Ability to work around heavy steel, shop equipment, welding operations, forklifts, cranes, and other fabrication activities.
- Ability to safely handle sharp, heavy, or awkward materials.
- Ability to work in a fabrication shop environment with noise, dust, sparks, heat, and changing temperatures.
Work Environment
This position is performed in a steel fabrication shop. The employee will work around heavy machinery, steel materials, cranes, forklifts, welding operations, cutting equipment, and other shop hazards. Strict adherence to safety procedures and proper PPE usage is required.
Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
