Press Brake Machine Set Up Operator

Aerotek; Addison (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Union Membership

Automatic pay increases every 6 months

Health benefits

Paid time off

Cross-training pathways

Job summary

Aerotek is recruiting for a Press Brake Set-Up Operator for the 1st shift in Addison, IL. The role focuses on setting up and operating hydraulic press brakes, reading blueprints, and ensuring quality on galvanized steel parts.

We offer a union environment with automatic pay increases every six months and a comprehensive benefits package. Shift is 7:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday to Friday, onsite with potential for permanent placement.

Qualifications

• 1+ years operating industrial machinery, preferably press brakes or related forming equipment.
• Strong basic math skills for bend allowances and tolerances.
• Ability to read and work from manufacturing blueprints and drawings.
• Experience in a heavy industrial job shop environment with galvanized steel is a plus.
• Proficient in using calipers to verify part conformance.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate hydraulic press brakes to form galvanized steel per schedules.
• Interpret blueprints and determine dimensions, angles, and tonnage.
• Perform quality inspections with calipers and gauges to ensure tolerances.
• Maintain organized work area and track production on the shop board.
• Assist with basic maintenance and report safety concerns.

Skills

Press brakes operation

Blueprint literacy

Math & angle calculations

Industrial machinery

Measurement accuracy

Tools

Calipers

Angle gauges

Job description

Press Brake Set-Up Operator 1st Shift (Union Shop)

Location: Addison, IL

Shift: 1st Shift | 7:00 AM 2:30 PM | Monday Friday (Great early-exit schedule!)

Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Benefits: Secure Union Membership , guaranteed automatic pay increases every 6 months , robust union medical/health benefits, paid time off, and cross-training pathways into professional welding and advanced machining.

Why Choose Our Shop?

Looking for real job security, predictable wage growth, and a clear path forward? We are a stable, established industrial job shop operating a protected union environment that truly rewards hard work. Unlike shops that freeze your pay for years, our structured union contract guarantees you scheduled raises every single six months .

This is a true, grit-and-steel heavy fabrication environment. We work extensively with galvanized steel and industrial hydraulic equipment. If you want to master the art of metal forming , work a highly desirable 7:00 AM 2:30 PM shift that leaves your afternoons completely free, and build transferable skills that can launch you into a welding career, this is the perfect place to build your future.

Key Responsibilities

• Precision Press Brake Setup & Operation: Set up and operate industrial hydraulic press brakes to bend, form, and shape galvanized steel components according to strict production schedules.

• Forming & Blueprint Calculations: Interpret complex blueprints to determine dimensions, angles, and tight tolerances. Calculate exact bend locations, select proper tooling, and determine correct machine tonnage.

• Meticulous Quality Inspections: Utilize calipers, angle gauges, and precision inspection tools to measure and verify part dimensions. Conduct regular checks to catch out-of-tolerance machining instantly.

• Department Workflow Logistics: Maintain an organized work area, stack completed parts efficiently on pallets or tables to minimize double-handling, and update the shop floor production board to ensure accurate tracking.

• Preventative Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Perform basic machine adjustments and utilize hand tools for minor setup tweaks and routine machinery maintenance. Promptly flag and report any mechanical or safety concerns.

Position Requirements (What You Bring)

• Experience: 1+ years of hands‑on experience operating industrial machinery, ideally focused on press brakes, punch presses, or related metal forming equipment .

• Math & Angle Proficiency: Strong basic math skills with the ability to accurately calculate bend allowances, angles, and precise structural dimensions.

• Blueprint Literacy: Proven ability to read, interpret, and work directly from manufacturing blueprints and engineering drawings.

• Industrial Aptitude: Comfortable working in a heavy industrial job shop environment, handling galvanized steel, and standing for the duration of a 7:30‑hour shift.

• Measurement Accuracy: Proficient in using precision tools like calipers to verify finished part conformance.

Preferred Qualifications (A Plus, Not Required)

• Prior experience in a custom fabrication or fast‑paced metal job shop setting.

• Strong mechanical aptitude and familiarity with a wide variety of shop hand tools.

• A strong desire to learn and cross‑train in advanced machining or professional welding.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Addison, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $21.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long‑term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Addison,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 12, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.