Auto Press Operator

Whirlpool Corporation; Cleveland (TN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 80+ hours paid training

Up to 120 hours paid time off

Medical, dental, vision, 401k

Quarterly bonus opportunities

Tuition reimbursement

Apprenticeship programs

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Whirlpool Corporation is seeking an Auto Press Operator on 1st and 2nd shift in Cleveland, TN. The role focuses on safe operation, setup, troubleshooting, and maintenance of automatic power presses and related metal fabrication equipment.

You will perform die installation, program loading, and first-piece inspection, ensuring parts meet blueprints while driving uptime and quality improvements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of multi-craft setup, die setting, or maintenance experience.
• Certifications in power press, overhead cranes, forklift, and LOTO are required or obtainable.

Responsibilities

• Operate, start, monitor, and stop automatic power presses; handle material loading.
• Set up and configure dies, adjust parameters, and load CNC/PLC programs.
• Operate secondary fabrication equipment and automated welding cells; adjust process controls.
• Perform first-piece inspection and verify part quality against drawings.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, die, tooling, electrical, and programming issues to minimize downtime.
• Track production, scrap, and downtime; maintain daily shift logs.
• Follow 5S, safety procedures, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Maintain a clean, organized workspace and proper PPE usage.

Skills

Multicraft setup

Die setting

Technical maintenance

Root cause analysis

CNC/PLC control systems

Reading blueprints

Heavy hand tools

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Associate Degree in a technical discipline

Tools

Overhead crane training

Fork truck license/PVO license

Power Press certification

LOTO certification

CNC/PLC systems

Job description

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reported approximately $16 billion in annual net sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas - 41,000 employees, and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional

information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

This postion is for 1st & 2nd shift, Monday - Thursday

Job Summary

The Auto Press Operator is a highly skilled technical role responsible for the safe and efficient operation, setup, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance of automatic power presses and related metal fabrication equipment. The primary focus is to perform complex die installation, configuration, first-piece quality assurance, and ongoing optimization to maximize equipment uptime and production quality.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

Job Duties and Essential Functions

• Press Operation & Material Handling: Start, monitor, and stop automatic power presses, ensuring the machine runs at rated strokes per minute (SPM). Use overhead cranes or forklifts to safely load metal coils onto uncoilers and position heavy parts or dies.
• Die Setup and Configuration: Install, align, and secure stamping dies into power presses; adjust ram stroke, shut height, and feed systems to match part specifications. Load CNC or PLC programs for specific jobs and adjust parameters.
• Advanced Fabrication Setup: Set up and operate secondary fabrication equipment, including roll levelers, shears, CNC Press Brakes, CNC Turrets, and Laser Cutting systems. Set up automated welding cells (MIG, Spot, Projection), changing tips/nozzles, and adjusting parameters (current, pressure, gas flow).
• Quality & Verification: Run trial parts and grant first piece inspection approval for complex tooling changes. Perform in-depth quality validation using precision measuring instruments (calipers, micrometers, fixed gauges, depth gauge) to verify conformance of parts to blueprints, and conduct weld destructive testing (chisel tests). Conduct frequent visual inspections for burrs, cracks, or surface defects.
• Troubleshooting and Maintenance: Analyze, diagnose, and troubleshoot complex mechanical, die, tooling, electrical, and programming issues (CNC, PLC) to resolve equipment failures and maintain flow. Perform daily, weekly, and routine preventative/autonomous maintenance, lubrication, and execute minor on-site repairs (e.g., change punch, fix burr, adjust air pressure). Use Lock-out Tag-out (LOTO) when performing adjustments/maintenance.
• Production & Scrap Management: Monitor and empty scrap bins or conveyors to prevent "slug backup." Maintain accurate counts of parts produced and document downtime, mechanical issues, and setup parameters in the daily shift log/MES.
• Safety and Continuous Improvement: Strictly adhere to light curtain protocols and two-hand control safety requirements, verifying all safety systems are fully operational. Drive process improvements using formal problem-solving methodologies (e.g., root cause analysis, 5Why) to eliminate inefficiencies and quality defects.
• Workspace Organization: Maintain a clean 5S environment in the area.

Minimum Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Education: HS Diploma or GED equivalent is required. An Associate Degree in a technical discipline or equivalent skilled trades coursework is strongly preferred.
• Experience & Certifications: Minimum 3–5 years of documented multi-craft setup, die setting, or technical maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment. Power Press certification, Overhead crane training, Fork truck license/PVO license, and LOTO certification are required or must be obtained within a set timeframe.
• Technical/Product Knowledge:
• Advanced proficiency in precision measuring instruments (micrometers, calipers, depth gauge).
• Ability to read and interpret complex blueprints, part drawings, and technical schematics/layouts.
• Working knowledge of CNC/PLC control systems, welding fundamentals, and metal forming/shearing processes.
• Demonstrated experience in root cause analysis and formal problem-solving methodologies (e.g., 5Why).
• Proficiency with heavy hand tools.

Physical Requirements

• Requires continuous lifting of 1–5 lbs, frequent lifting of 5–35 lbs, and occasional lifting of 35–60 lbs. Stacking parts in containers does not normally exceed 30 lbs in weight.
• Ability to stand for 10 hours or more per day. Frequent bending and twisting is required.
• Requires use of heavy hand tools, precision measuring instruments (e.g., micrometers, calipers, depth gauge), and operation of overhead cranes/forklifts.
• Work is performed in a manufacturing environment requiring the use of approved Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, and arm guards.

Why should you apply?

• Up to 80+ hours of paid training
• Up to 120 hours of paid time off (prorated based on start date)
• Medical, dental, vision, 401k, paid holidays, and other benefits available immediately
• Quarterly bonus opportunities!
• Tuition reimbursement
• Apprenticeship Program(s)
• Career growth opportunities and development

Connect with us and learn more about Whirlpool Corporation

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Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.