Press Brake Operator

Job Title: Press Brake Operator
Corporation: Rite-Hite
Department: Operations
Reports To: Production Support Supervisor
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Location: Clare, MI

Purpose

Set up, program, and operate CNC Press Brake machines to produce high-quality parts according to engineering and customer specifications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Set up and operate CNC Press Brake machines in compliance with safety guidelines.
• Program CNC controls using information provided on prints.
• Operate forklifts, overhead cranes, and hoists.
• Verify that materials are correct in type and dimension before bending.
• Calculate blank sizes, bend locations, appropriate tonnage, and tooling for each part.
• Utilize work orders and QC packets to complete jobs accurately.
• Detect and correct equipment malfunctions or out-of-tolerance components; report issues to maintenance/management.
• Read, interpret, and apply information from blueprints.
• Verify machine settings and tolerances to ensure precision and quality.
• Perform quality checks before sending parts to the next operation.
• Use measurement tools (tape measure, caliper, micrometer) to verify work.
• Maintain the press dies and punches, keeping them free of debris and damage.
• Collaborate with engineers, production staff, or supervisors to resolve issues.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives in products and processes.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment.

Qualifications

• Education/Experience:
  • Associate’s degree in a technical field or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school preferred.
  • Minimum of 6 months to 1 year of related manufacturing or CNC Press Brake experience required.
  • Equivalent combination of education and experience considered.
• Skills & Abilities:
  • Proficient in reading and interpreting blueprints.
  • Strong mathematical skills, including fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions.
  • Ability to solve practical problems and work with varying procedures and instructions.
  • Skilled in the use of standard measurement tools.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing quality work.
  • Forklift certification or willingness to obtain one preferred.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to handle materials, reach with arms, and communicate effectively.
• Frequently required to sit; occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 lbs; occasionally lift up to 50 lbs.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• Regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and loud noise.
• Frequent exposure to vibration, fumes, or airborne particles.
• Occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme temperatures, and outdoor weather.