Multi-Die Cold Header Operator

Rocknel Fastener; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocknel Fastener in Rockford, IL is hiring a skilled Metal Forming Operator for cold heading. You will set up and run multi-die headers (1D2B to 4D4B), monitor processes, collect measurements, and troubleshoot with RCA methods to ensure quality parts across shifts.

The role requires 3–7 years of experience, strong communication, and strict adherence to safety policies. On-site, steady evening shift with potential OT.

Qualifications

• 3–7 years of cold heading experience with strong setup capability.
• Excellent communication with supervisors, peers, and subordinates.
• Ability to prioritize, organize, and move between tasks with minimal error.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949.
• Deductive reasoning skills to apply standards and rules to specific machining problems.
• Practical know-how to fine-tune machines (speed, pressure, temperature, dimensions, and flow).
• Basic heading maintenance skills.
• Comfort with calipers, micrometers, and blueprint reading.
• Strict adherence to OSHA and company safety policies.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate cold heading equipment for fastener manufacturing (1D2B to 4D4B).
• Continuously watch gauges, lights, and material flow; spot irregularities before they become downtime.
• Collect information from tools, measurements, and teammates to diagnose issues quickly.
• Partner with the Supervisor to review operations and resolve production or processing problems.
• Inspect equipment, tooling, and materials to identify the cause of errors or defects.
• Adjust speeds, pressures, temperatures, feed rates, dimensions, and flow to maintain spec.
• Operate control panels and pushbuttons to start/stop and regulate equipment safely.
• Measure parts with calipers, micrometers, and a Length Gage; verify weight and dimensions to standard.
• Clear jams safely; segregate and remove defective or substandard parts.
• Apply Root Cause Analysis (RCA) techniques to eliminate repeat failures.

Skills

Cold heading

Setup capability

Communication skills

Prioritization & organization

IATF 16949 knowledge

Blueprint reading

Calipers

Micrometers

OSHA safety knowledge

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Blueprint reading

Job description

Do you thrive on turning metal wire into precision fasteners with flawless repeatability? Can you set up and run One-Die/Two-Blow through Four-Die/Four-Blow headers and keep them producing quality parts all shift long? If yes, you’ll feel right at home here.

Why This Role

• Create complex parts in a single pass using multi-die headers—where process control and craftsmanship meet.
• Be the go-to problem solver, using RCA to get past symptoms and fix true root causes.
• Earn $25–$35 per hour and work a steady Monday–Friday, 1:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. schedule (with potential OT).

What You’ll Do

• Set up and operate cold heading equipment for fastener manufacturing (1D2B to 4D4B).
• Continuously watch gauges, lights, and material flow; spot irregularities before they become downtime.
• Collect information from tools, measurements, and teammates to diagnose issues quickly.
• Partner with the Supervisor to review operations and resolve production or processing problems.
• Inspect equipment, tooling, and materials to identify the cause of errors or defects.
• Adjust speeds, pressures, temperatures, feed rates, dimensions, and flow to maintain spec.
• Operate control panels and pushbuttons to start/stop and regulate equipment safely.
• Measure parts with calipers, micrometers, and a Length Gage; verify weight and dimensions to standard.
• Clear jams safely; segregate and remove defective or substandard parts.
• Apply Root Cause Analysis (RCA) techniques to eliminate repeat failures.

What You Need to Succeed

• 3–7 years of cold heading experience with strong setup capability; fastener industry background preferred.
• Excellent communication with supervisors, peers, and subordinates; calm under pressure.
• Proven ability to prioritize, organize, and move between tasks with minimal error.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949.
• Deductive reasoning skills to apply standards and rules to specific machining problems.
• Practical know-how to fine-tune machines (speed, pressure, temperature, dimensions, and flow).
• Basic heading maintenance skills.
• Comfort with calipers, micrometers, and blueprint reading.
• Strict adherence to OSHA and company safety policies.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) which is required in designated areas.
• Ability to continuously stand and move through 8–10-hour shifts.
• 100% onsite. One work location.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will relationship.