Press Brake Operator

Aerotek; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Aerotek in Frederick, MD is seeking a Press Brake Operator to operate CNC and hydraulic press brake machines for precise bending and forming of sheet metal. The role emphasizes safe operation, tooling management, and quality inspection on the shop floor.

Responsibilities include setting up machines, verifying setups with proving runs, and collaborating with fabrication teams to meet daily output targets. This onsite contract-to-hire position offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required or equivalent.
• 1–2 years of experience operating press brakes or similar equipment preferred.
• Familiarity with 5S workplace organization principles.
• Able to interpret blueprints and tolerances for sheet metal forming.

Responsibilities

• Operate CNC and hydraulic press brakes to form sheet metal per schedules.
• Set up presses by selecting tooling, adjusting back-gauge, and loading programs.
• Perform proving runs and verify setups meet engineering standards.
• Inspect and stage punches, dies, and tooling for production.

Skills

CNC press brake operation

Blueprint reading

Safety procedures

Shop math

Precision measuring

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Laser equipment

Shear equipment

Punch press

Job description

Job Title: Press Brake Operator

Job Description

This role operates CNC and hydraulic press brake machines to accurately bend and form sheet metal according to production schedules. The position focuses on precise machine setup, safe and efficient operation, tooling management, and quality inspection of finished parts in a manufacturing and production environment.

Responsibilities

• Operate CNC and hydraulic press brake machines to perform accurate sheet metal bending and forming in line with production schedules and job orders.
• Set up press brake machines by configuring machine functions, adjusting back-gauge locations, and entering part numbers or programs to meet specified dimensions.
• Perform proving runs and verify that machine setups produce parts that meet engineering and quality standards before full production.
• Handle, inspect, and stage punches, dies, and related consumables to ensure all tooling is serviceable and ready for use.
• Maintain organized tooling and a clean, efficient tool crib in accordance with 5S standards and general housekeeping expectations.
• Read and interpret engineering blueprints, schematics, and technical vendor documentation to determine correct bend sequences, dimensions, and tolerances.
• Measure and inspect finished formed parts using precision tools such as calipers and other gauges to verify dimensional accuracy against blueprints.
• Identify and correct minor dimensional or cosmetic issues in formed parts, escalating complex quality concerns when necessary.
• Follow strict safety rules and procedures, including proper use of personal protective equipment and adherence to lockout/tagout requirements.
• Perform routine minor maintenance on press brake and related machinery to keep equipment in safe and reliable working condition.
• Collaborate with fabrication and production team members to coordinate workflow and meet daily output and quality targets.
• Assist with general sheet metal fabrication tasks as needed, including work around laser, shear, punch press, and other fabrication equipment.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by suggesting process enhancements and contributing to efficient, safe operations on the shop floor.

Essential Skills

• Experience operating CNC and hydraulic press brake machines in a manufacturing or sheet metal fabrication environment, generally 1 to 2 years.
• Proficiency in sheet metal fabrication processes, including bending, forming, and working with press machines and related equipment.
• Ability to perform accurate machine setup, including configuring back-gauge locations, selecting appropriate tooling, and loading programs or part numbers.
• Strong blueprint reading skills, with the ability to interpret schematics and technical vendor documentation to determine required dimensions and tolerances.
• Competence with basic shop math to calculate measurements, angles, and bend allowances as needed for forming operations.
• Skill in using precision measuring tools such as calipers and gauges to inspect and verify part dimensions.
• Understanding of safety procedures in a production environment, including proper use of PPE and lockout/tagout practices.
• Physical ability to stand for long periods and frequently lift or move materials and tooling weighing up to 50 pounds.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Experience with general metal fabrication processes, including machining, welding, and working with laser and shear equipment.
• Familiarity with punch press and shear press operations within a fabrication environment.
• Knowledge of 5S or similar workplace organization and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Comfort working with various tooling types, including punches, dies, and other press brake consumables.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with production and fabrication teams to meet quality and schedule requirements.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from a supportive manufacturing environment that offers solid company benefits, including health coverage, retirement plans such as 401(k) with employer match, and paid time off. The culture emphasizes safety, consistency, and long-term stability, providing opportunities to develop technical skills and grow within a well-structured production setting.

Work Environment

The role is based in a manufacturing and production facility focused on sheet metal and general metal fabrication. Work takes place on the shop floor around CNC and hydraulic press brakes, punch presses, shears, laser equipment, and related machinery.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of FREDERICK, MD.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $26.00/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 jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable 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 FREDERICK,MD.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 15, 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 | 1-888-AEROTEK.

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 be 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.