Forging Operator

EnerStaff; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

EnerStaff in Houston seeks a forging operator to set up, run, and maintain heavy forging equipment to shape metal parts under high pressure.

You will read blueprints and work orders, install and adjust dies, monitor machine operation, inspect finished parts for tolerances, and perform basic maintenance while following safety and QA procedures.

Qualifications

• Ability to read blueprints and work orders.
• Adherence to Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality policies.
• Proactive in reporting equipment issues and anomalies.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and maintain forging equipment.
• Install, adjust, or remove dies and hammers.
• Load and position materials using hoisting devices and forklifts.
• Monitor operation and inspect parts for tolerances.
• Perform basic troubleshooting and routine maintenance.

Skills

Attention to detail

Safety-conscious

Manual dexterity

Teamwork

Tools

Overhead cranes

Forging presses

Hand tools

Hoisting devices

Job description

A forging operator sets up, runs, and maintains heavy machinery to shape metal or plastic parts under high pressure. [1, 2]

Key Responsibilities

• Machine Setup: Read blueprints, work orders, and technical specs to set ram pressures, stroke depths, and operational sequences.
• Die Management: Install, adjust, or remove dies and hammers using hand tools and overhead cranes.
• Material Handling: Heat metal in furnaces or feed cold stock into presses, hammers, and forging rolls.
• Quality Control: Inspect finished parts with measuring tools to verify they match exact design tolerances.
• Maintenance: Perform basic troubleshooting, clear jams, and do routine repairs on equipment.

Requirements

Comply with all company policies and procedures, including Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality Assurance requirements; wear required personal protective equipment and follow safe work practices in the forging area.

• Report injuries, accidents, near misses, equipment concerns, quality issues, or unsafe conditions to a supervisor or manager immediately.
• Review and follow assigned job orders, work instructions, and production requirements as directed by the supervisor, lead, or setup personnel.
• Operate or tend assigned presses and forging equipment after setup has been completed, following established procedures and production standards.
• Load, unload, move, and position materials or parts using approved methods, hand tools, hoisting devices, forklifts, or other material-handling equipment as trained and authorized.
• Monitor machine operation and part flow during production; watch for obvious defects, abnormal sounds, equipment issues, or unsafe conditions and notify supervision when concerns arise.
• Perform basic visual checks and simple measurements as instructed to help confirm parts meet work order and quality requirements.