Press Brake Operator

Job Title: Press Brake Operator

Job Description

The Press Brake Operator sets up and operates CNC press brake and turret equipment to produce a wide variety of sheet metal parts to precise specifications. This role interprets manufacturing information, drawings, and programs, performs machine adjustments and basic maintenance, and ensures all parts meet quality and safety standards in a clean, modern manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Work from manufacturing information, engineering drawings, sketches, intranet resources, SAP data, and written and oral instructions to determine job requirements.
• Set up and operate numerical controlled turret and press brake using automatic, semi-automatic, and manual controls.
• Read and interpret machine controls to verify position of workpieces and turret, and confirm proper pattern sequence.
• Perform mathematical calculations to adjust machine settings and programs to meet part specifications and tolerances.
• Manually dial in programs or load programs from readouts and program sheets as required for each job.
• Punch, pierce, emboss, blank, notch, slot, and form a variety of metallic parts, and verify manufactured parts against drawings and specifications.
• Set up and operate press brakes to bend and form material and parts on a non-repetitive, complex basis.
• Program light curtains and create new programs for new parts, ensuring safe and efficient machine operation.
• Lay out work using punches, dies, and holders according to layout sheets or other instructions, and check alignment by cycling the press manually.
• Set up press brakes to bend and hem parts per instructions and verify accuracy of bends and forms.
• Position work holders at table locations according to instructions or in locations that avoid interference with hole locations in piece parts.
• Perform daily and weekly operator maintenance checks and tests on hydraulic and air systems, table movement, and controls according to established procedures.
• Recognize malfunctions related to table movement, tapes, hydraulic and air systems, and machine controls, and take appropriate action.
• Identify when punches and dies used for punching and forming require sharpening or replacement.
• Detect parts that have been punched or formed incorrectly due to program errors and make necessary corrections.
• Handle and organize tools as required to support efficient setup and production.
• Sort and deliver parts to designated work areas and move material to and from the work area as needed.
• Obtain and maintain a forklift license to safely move materials and parts within the facility.
• Clean machines and oil punches as required to maintain equipment performance and longevity.
• Notify supervision when equipment or tools require service or repair.
• Take responsibility for the quality of finished work, ensuring parts meet all specifications and standards.
• Maintain required records and documents in accordance with F&L Standards and other company procedures.
• Perform other duties as instructed, in response to changes in production requirements or operating conditions.
• Follow all company rules, safety practices, and procedures, and maintain a neat and orderly work area.
• Provide suggestions and ideas that support continuous improvement of operations and processes.
• Edit programs and check N.C. plots to ensure parts are produced accurately and consistently.
• Work assigned shift schedule, with openings available on second shift (Monday–Friday, 2:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m.) and third shift (Sunday–Thursday, 11:00 p.m.–7:30 a.m.).

Essential Skills

• Hands-on press brake operating experience in a manufacturing or machining environment.
• Proficiency in blueprint reading to interpret part requirements and tolerances.
• Experience performing preventive maintenance on production machinery.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations for machine setup and adjustments.
• Ability to set up CNC press brake and turret machines for complex, non-repetitive parts.
• Skill in using precision measuring tools such as calipers, micrometers, and tape measures.
• Competence in sheet metal work, including punching, forming, and bending operations.
• Experience with punch press and brake press machines.
• Ability to read and interpret CNC machine programs and make minor edits when necessary.
• Capability to recognize equipment malfunctions and incorrect part formation due to program or setup errors.
• Ability to maintain accurate production records and documentation in line with company standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with CNC press brake and CNC machine controls.
• Familiarity with SAP or similar manufacturing information systems.
• Comfort working from layout sheets and engineering documentation.
• Experience programming light curtains and creating new part programs.
• Forklift license or willingness to obtain one as part of the role.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.
• Continuous improvement mindset, with willingness to suggest and support process improvements.

Why Work Here?

This opportunity offers a contract-to-hire path with long-term stability in a reputable, well-established manufacturing organization. You work in a clean environment with access to an onsite weight room, supporting health and wellness. The benefits package is robust, including a fully vested 401(k) match up to 7% of eligible compensation, competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective from the first day of employment, generous paid time off with vacation that increases with tenure, sick days, floating holidays, and company-observed holidays. Employees can take advantage of tuition reimbursement after six months of service and receive parental leave at 100% base pay for six consecutive weeks within the first year of a child’s birth or adoption. The company also provides a wide range of development opportunities to enhance professional and leadership growth, fostering a culture of learning, advancement, and work-life balance.

Work Environment

The role is based in a fairly clean manufacturing environment with moderate noise typical of a metal fabrication shop. You will work around CNC press brakes, turret punches, and related machinery, following established safety procedures. Openings are available on second shift (Monday–Friday, 2:30 p.m.–11:00 p.m.) and third shift (Sunday–Thursday, 11:00 p.m.–7:30 a.m.), providing consistent full-time hours. While in the shop, you must wear steel-toed boots, long pants, and safety glasses, and adhere to all safety and housekeeping standards to maintain a neat, orderly, and safe workspace.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Hanover, PA.

The pay range for this position is $24.00 - $30.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Hanover,PA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 21, 2026.

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.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.