Die Prep Technician – Forging & Setup Mastery

KOBELCO ALUMINUM AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTS LLC; Bowling Green (KY); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Kobelco Aluminum Automotive Products LLC seeks a Die Prep Associate in the Forging department. The role involves die setting on mechanical presses, cleaning and inspecting dies and die holders, and following setup instructions to ensure high-quality parts.

You will coordinate with Tooling for repairs and TPMs, and log all activities as dies move through the plant. This non-exempt, full-time position emphasizes safety, precision, and teamwork to maintain efficient forging operations and minimize

Qualifications

• High school degree or GED or equivalent.
• Forklift certification (On-the-Job Training).
• Overhead crane certification (On-the-Job Training).
• Able to perform repetitive and physically demanding tasks (lifting up to 50 lbs, standing, walking).
• Willing to follow safety rules and wear PPE.

Responsibilities

• Clean die holders thoroughly to prevent setup issues causing downtime or scrap.
• Operate die heating ovens and heat dies to set temperature.
• Use pneumatic tools to clean holders, clamps, and dies, and to loosen and tighten die bolts.
• Follow setup sheets to correctly set dies, shims, and die combinations.
• Ensure safe handling with overhead cranes and forklifts during transport of dies.
• Read production schedule to ensure correct dies are set.
• Check die holder plugs for proper connections and temperature control.
• Change and set up roll forge dies.
• Collaborate with team to minimize changeover times during setup and hot swaps.

Skills

5S knowledge

Reading & measuring (inches, mm)

English literacy

Team collaboration

Safety procedures

Education

High school diploma or GED

Forklift certification

Overhead crane certification

Tools

Pneumatic tools

Forklifts

Overhead cranes

Job description

Kobelco Aluminum Automotive Products LLC seeks a Die Prep Associate in the Forging department. The role involves die setting on mechanical presses, cleaning and inspecting dies and die holders, and following setup instructions to ensure high-quality parts.

You will coordinate with Tooling for repairs and TPMs, and log all activities as dies move through the plant. This non-exempt, full-time position emphasizes safety, precision, and teamwork to maintain efficient forging operations and minimize