Press Brake Operator

Aerotek; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with employer match (up to 50%)

HSA contribution after six months

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking a Press Brake Operator to set up and operate Amada press brake machines from blueprints and GD&T specs in a contract-to-hire role based in St Paul, MN. You will handle both long-run and short-run projects while contributing to preventative maintenance and quality control.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years of press brake experience, proficiency with 20 gauge to 3/8 inch materials, and a strong eye for dimensional accuracy.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of press brake setup and operation experience, preferably on CNC and Amada equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and GD&T documentation accurately.
• Hands-on experience with precision sheet metal fabrication and tight tolerance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate Amada press brake machines for a variety of custom fabrication projects.
• Work with sheet metal materials ranging from 20 gauge up to 3/8 inch thickness.
• Read, interpret, and work directly from engineering blueprints and GD&T specifications.
• Produce parts to tight tolerances, typically between ±0.0001 and ±0.002 inches.
• Manage a mix of long-run and short-run jobs daily, adjusting setups as needed.
• Perform and assist with preventative maintenance on press brakes and related equipment.
• Monitor part quality and adjust machine settings and tooling as needed.
• Collaborate with fabrication team to meet production schedules and drive continuous improvement.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area.

Skills

Press brake setup

Blueprint reading

GD&T interpretation

Precision sheet metal

CNC tooling

Dimensional accuracy

Preventative maintenance

Tools

Amada

LVD

Cincinnati

Job description

Job Title: Press Brake Operator

Job Description

The Press Brake Operator sets up and operates Amada press brake machines to produce high‑precision custom sheet metal components. This role works directly from blueprints and GD&T specifications, handles both long‑run and short‑run production, and supports preventative maintenance on fabrication equipment to ensure consistent quality and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate Amada press brake machines for a variety of custom fabrication projects.

• Work with sheet metal materials ranging from 20 gauge up to 3/8 inch thickness.

• Read, interpret, and work directly from engineering blueprints and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) documentation.

• Produce parts to tight tolerances, typically between ±0.0001 and ±0.002 inches, ensuring high levels of accuracy and repeatability.

• Manage a mix of long‑run and short‑run jobs each day, adjusting setups and processes as needed for different projects and products.

• Perform and assist with preventative maintenance on press brakes and other fabrication equipment to maintain optimal performance and minimize downtime.

• Monitor part quality throughout production runs and make necessary adjustments to machine settings and tooling.

• Collaborate with fabrication team members to meet production schedules and support continuous improvement in processes and workflows.

• Maintain a clean and organized work area in alignment with shop standards and safety practices.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of press brake setup and operation experience, preferably on CNC and Amada press brake equipment.

• Proven ability to read and interpret blueprints and GD&T specifications accurately.

• Hands‑on experience working with precision sheet metal fabrication, including tight tolerance requirements.

• Strong understanding of press brake tooling, setups, and forming techniques for various sheet metal thicknesses.

• Ability to work with sheet metal ranging from 20 gauge to 3/8 inch while maintaining dimensional accuracy.

• Attention to detail and commitment to producing high‑quality, precision parts.

• Basic mechanical aptitude to assist with preventative maintenance on fabrication equipment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with CNC press brake operation and setup.

• Experience working with brands such as Amada, LVD, or Cincinnati press brakes.

• Prior work in a custom fabrication or job shop environment.

• Familiarity with a variety of sheet metal materials and forming applications.

• Comfort working in both long‑run and short‑run production settings.

• Ability to adapt quickly to different project requirements and product types.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision coverage, as well as a 401(k) program with a 50% employer match on employee contributions up to 6%. Team members who are nicotine‑free can receive an additional monthly discount on benefits and, after six months with proper documentation, a contribution of $500 into their HSA account. The shop is clean, well‑organized, and offers opportunities for overtime, creating an environment where skilled tradespeople can grow their careers while enjoying strong support for their financial and personal well‑being.

Work Environment

This role is based in an extremely clean, organized, and climate‑controlled fabrication job shop focused on custom work. Operators work with state‑of‑the‑art equipment, including machines that are only a few years old, and regularly adjust to different project types and products. The environment emphasizes comfort, modern technology, and flexibility, with opportunities for overtime in a professional fabrication setting

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of St Paul, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $33.00/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 & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre‑tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long‑term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in St Paul,MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 22, 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.