Press Brake Operator

Kaizen Lab Inc.; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaizen Lab Inc. in Fort Worth, TX seeks an experienced CNC Press Brake Operator to form carbon steel parts to specification. You will select tooling, set up programs, and perform precision bends on a range from sheet to heavy plate, while ensuring safety, quality, and throughput.

The ideal candidate has 1+ year CNC press brake experience, blueprint reading skills, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs. Weekend shifts may be required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• 1+ year press brake experience (CNC preferred) in steel fabrication or service-center setting.
• Ability to read blueprints and use precision measurement tools.
• Proficient with material handling and safe rigging; lift up to 50 lbs and stand/bend for extended periods.
• Must be comfortable with 1st or 2nd shift and overtime up to 12-hour shifts Monday–Saturday.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret blueprints; verify grade, thickness, and heat/lot identification before processing.
• Set up press brake (tool selection, die alignment, back-gauge setup, program entry/offsets) and perform first-article inspections.
• Form components with precision, adjusting for springback, tooling wear, and material variation.
• Use calipers, protractors, height gauges, and tape to verify angles and dimensions; document QC in ERP/routers.
• Handle material using overhead crane and/or forklift; tag parts with heat numbers and work orders for traceability.
• Perform basic preventive maintenance and request service for issues.
• Maintain 5S housekeeping and follow safety procedures including lockout/tagout when required.
• Support other production tasks to meet schedule.

Skills

Blueprint reading

Precision measurement

Safety compliance

Material handling

Overhead crane operation

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

CNC press brake

ERP systems

Forklift operation

Heat-number traceability

5S / housekeeping

Job description

Job Summary

Operate CNC press brakes to form carbon steel plate and sheet to specificationfor a steel service center / mill environment. Select tooling, set up programs,and make precision bends on parts ranging from light gauge sheet to heavy platewhile meeting safety, quality, and throughput expectations. Schedule:Full‑time; 1st or 2nd shift; shifts up to 12 hours, Monday–Saturday, asbusiness needs require.

Key Responsibilities

• Readand interpret blueprints, shop drawings, and traveler/cut lists; verifygrade, thickness, and heat/lot identification before processing.
• Set uppress brake (tool selection, die alignment, back‑gauge setup, programentry/offsets); perform first‑article inspections and hold tolerances perdrawing.
• Executesafe, efficient forming of steel components (flanges, channels, brackets,plate parts), making real‑time adjustments for springback, tooling wear,and material variation.
• Useprecision measuring tools (calipers, protractors, height gauges, tape) toverify angles and dimensions; document QC checks in ERP/routers.
• Handlematerial using overhead crane and/or forklift to load/unload andstage WIP; tag parts with heat numbers and work order info fortraceability.
• Performbasic preventative maintenance (wipe‑down, lubrication, toolinginspection) and request service for mechanical/electrical issues.
• Maintainhousekeeping (5S) and follow all safety procedures, including pinch‑pointawareness and lockout/tagout when required.
• Supportother production tasks (shear, saw, burning, packaging) when needed tomeet schedule.

Requirements

• Highschool diploma or equivalent.
• 1+year press brake experience (CNC preferred) in a steel fabrication orservice‑center setting.
• Abilityto read blueprints and use precision measurement tools.
• Proficientwith material handling and safe rigging; ability to lift up to 50 lbs andstand/bend for extended periods.
• Comfortableworking 1st or 2nd shift with overtime up to 12‑hour shifts,Monday–Saturday.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experienceforming heavy plate and long parts using staged tooling andmultiple‑hit sequences.
• Familiaritywith ERP scanning and heat‑number traceability.
• Additionalequipment skills (shear, plasma/oxy‑fuel, forklift, overhead cranecertifications).

Safety Focus

Strict adherence to machine guarding, pinch‑point controls, PPE, andcrane/forklift safety. Report hazards, near misses, and equipment issuesimmediately.

Note: Duties and qualifications listed are representative,not exhaustive. Team members may be asked to perform other tasks to meetcustomer and safety requirements.