Press Brake Operator (Traveling Contract)

This Company is a custom metal fabrication manufacturer specializing in producing high-quality welded and formed steel components for a wide range of industries. (This location is in MN)

The facility focuses on transforming raw steel into finished products through precision fabrication processes, including laser cutting, CNC press brake forming, welding, machining, assembly, and finishing.

Start Date: Within 1-2 weeks (Pre-employment must be completed)

Travel Mileage to worksite: Reimbursed on first check at 73 cents per mile 

*This is paid to the worksite and from when you complete the assignment 

Per Diem: $140 per day / Paid with weekly paychecks ($980 weekly UNTAXED)

** You are responsible for your own lodging

**We can assist with corporate lodging rates 

Shift: 2nd shift 

• 4:30pm-5am Monday through Thursday
• Additional OT available

Project Duration: 6 months to start

Pay weeks: Weekly on Friday's

Position Overview

You will be responsible for setting up, operating, and producing precision formed metal components in a high-mix, low-volume custom fabrication environment. This is not a repetitive production role - operators regularly transition between different parts, materials, and setups throughout the shift. Success in this position requires strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and the ability to visualize how flat metal will form into finished parts.

What You'll Be Doing

• Perform complete machine setups, including changing tooling, loading programs, verifying dry runs, and making minor program adjustments.
• Operate multiple CNC and hydraulic press brakes throughout the shift based on production demands.
• Retrieve work instructions and programs through the company's paperless ShopView manufacturing system.
• Verify first bends, inspect parts against blueprints, make adjustments as needed, and begin production runs after approval.
• Perform in-process quality inspections using measuring tools such as calipers, combination squares, protractors, scales, and tape measures.
• Safely form a wide variety of custom parts while maintaining quality and productivity standards.
• Work independently while following established setup procedures and control plans.

Operators work with several different press brakes, including:

• Amada ATC (200 Ton)
• Polmax 175
• CB90 (Autobend)
• Safan (Electric)
• Bystronic Bilar
• Accurpress (up to 485 Ton)

Experience on any CNC or hydraulic press brake is valuable. The company is open to someone with forming experience regardless of the specific machine brand, as they provide training on their equipment and control systems.

This is a custom manufacturing environment, meaning every day is different.

Expect to:

• Complete anywhere from 2 to 20 different setups per shift (typically 3–8).
• Spend approximately 65% of your day running production, with the remainder focused on setups and adjustments.
• Work with mild steel and aluminum ranging from 16 gauge to 3⁄4-inch thick.
• Form both small and large parts, including complex components requiring multiple bends in different directions.
• Handle parts weighing up to 50 lbs. independently, with assistance provided for heavier components.

Operators are expected to:

• Change tooling according to the program.
• Load existing programs using the part number.
• Perform dry runs before production.
• Make minor program tweaks to achieve print specifications.
• Verify measurements before beginning production.
• Maintain quality throughout the production run.

Quality Expectations

This includes:

• Measuring parts during production.
• Following control plans and inspection intervals.
• Maintaining bend accuracy (typically around ±1° where specified).
• Verifying dimensions to print (approximately ±0.030" depending on the part).
• Preventing quality issues by following setup procedures rather than taking shortcuts.

Experience in fabrication, laser cutting, turret punching, welding, machining, or other metal forming processes is considered a strong advantage.