Forge Operator

Ellwood Texas Forge Navasota, LLC; Navasota (TX); On-site; USD 46,276,000 - 62,609,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site clinic

401(k) retirement plan

Vacation and sick days

Uniforms and PPE

Overtime opportunities

Job summary

Ellwood Texas Forge Navasota, LLC is seeking a dedicated forge worker to join a high-paced open-die operation. You will heat, forge, inspect, and move steel parts, supporting a safety‑driven crew in a demanding industrial environment.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma or GED and at least two years of experience in heavy manufacturing, forging, or related fields. The role offers competitive pay and an on‑site clinic plus robust benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Two years of experience in heavy manufacturing or forging recommended.
• Ability to operate industrial tools safely around large machinery.
• Strong attention to safety, quality, and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Heat, preform, forge, trim, inspect, and move steel parts.
• Operate forging hammers, presses, furnaces, and material-handling equipment.
• Assist with dies, setup, and alignment; inspect parts for defects.
• Document production and quality information and report issues.
• Maintain clean work area and follow PPE and safety procedures.

Skills

High school diploma

Two years experience

Forging experience

Safety focus

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Forklift experience

Industrial tools

Impact wrench

Heavy equipment operation

Job description

At Ellwood, we believe metal is a pillar of human process. What makes it possible are the people behind it; people who don't just meet the highest standards but define them. And who always respect the stakes at hand.

Check out the links below to see what our day looks like – See what drives us.

https://www.ellwoodgroup.com/careers

Company Description

Ellwood Texas Forge Navasota, LLC (ETFN) produces closed-die forged components used in demanding applications worldwide, serving markets such as mining and construction, aerospace, oil and gas, marine, defense, power generation, automotive, heavy truck, and industrial sectors. The company provides complete solutions, including forging, machining, heat treating, and welding, helping customers improve performance and reliability. ETFN forges carbon, alloy, stainless steels, titanium, and nickel-based alloys to near net shape, often replacing castings, consolidating multiple fabricated parts, and reducing weight and lead times. As part of the Ellwood Closed Die Group, the facility benefits from extensive forging capabilities, including high-tonnage mechanical, screw, hydraulic presses, conventional hammers, and counter blow hammers.

What You’ll Do

• Work as part of a forge crew to heat, preform, forge, trim, inspect, and move steel parts.
• Operate or assist with closed-die forging hammers, presses, furnaces, and material‑handling equipment as assigned.
• Assist Hammer Operators, Group Leads, and other crew members with forging operations, equipment setup, and die changes.
• Use tongs and assigned tools to maneuver, control, rotate, and position heated material during the forging process.
• Remove scale from heated material and dies and apply die lubricant as required.
• Assist with heating, preparing, aligning, and maintaining dies at specified operating temperatures.
• Operate or assist with forklifts, manipulators, cranes, and other material‑handling equipment when assigned and authorized.
• Inspect forged parts for cracks, mismatch, incomplete fill, scale pitting, surface imperfections, improper trimming, and other visible defects.
• Use calipers and other assigned measuring tools to verify part requirements.
• Return material for reheating or additional forging when directed.
• Complete required equipment inspections and accurately document production and quality information.
• Report unsafe conditions, equipment problems, process deviations, and potential quality concerns.
• Package, identify, and move completed parts to the appropriate downstream operation.
• Maintain a clean work area and follow all PPE, lockout/tagout, safety, quality, and operating procedures.
• Perform other assigned duties based on production and operational needs.

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two years of experience in heavy manufacturing, steel, foundry, forging, press operation, industrial production, heavy equipment, or a similar hands‑on environment.
• Forging, forklift, mobile‑equipment, high‑temperature manufacturing, impact‑wrench, or industrial‑tool experience is preferred.
• Ability to safely use industrial tools and work around large machinery, moving equipment, and heated material.
• Ability to follow instructions, hand signals, safety procedures, and production requirements.
• Strong attention to safety, quality, equipment movement, and surrounding crew members.
• Dependable attendance, reliable transportation, and willingness to learn and work closely with a crew.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Perform physically demanding forging work requiring the safe lifting, maneuvering, controlling, and positioning of heavy parts, tools, and material at varying work heights, including work surfaces up to approximately 48 inches.
• Perform repeated reaching, gripping, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, balancing, and body positioning throughout the assigned operation, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Stand and walk for extended periods while working at a steady and safety‑focused pace.
• Work in an extremely hot and loud heavy‑manufacturing environment near steel heated to approximately 2,200°F.
• Work around furnaces, heated dies, forging hammers, presses, moving equipment, vibration, oil, lubricants, dust, flying scale, sparks, and hot metal particles.
• Wear all required personal protective equipment throughout the shift, which may include metatarsal safety boots, hard hat, face shield, hearing protection, safety glasses, leather apron, gloves, and long sleeves.

Schedule

Must be flexible and available to work assigned shifts, including a biweekly rotating schedule. Days, evenings, nights, weekends, overtime, and schedule changes may be required based on operational needs.

Why Join ELLWOOD?

ELLWOOD offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Starting pay of $19.00 per hour
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance beginning on day one
• Vested 401(k) retirement plan
• 10 days of vacation and three sick days
• On‑site clinic
• Shift differential and overtime opportunities
• Company‑provided uniforms and required PPE
• Additional company‑sponsored benefits

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre‑employment physical, background check, and drug screening.