Press Brake Operator Jobs
Press Brake Operator jobs are open across metal fabrication, aerospace, automotive, and construction manufacturing, at every level from entry-level helper to lead operator, with specializations in CNC press brake programming, blueprint reading, and precision bending. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 60+ Press Brake Operator jobs
About the Role
Step into a hands-on role where your precision shapes every part we make. As a CNC Press Brake Setup Technician, you’ll support and run press brake operations from start to finish—setting up, calibrating, and operating equipment while keeping quality and safety at the forefront. You’ll work from verbal and written instructions, engineering drawings, and models to transform sheet metal into accurate, production-ready components.
A Day in the Life
You begin your shift by powering up multiple brake presses, selecting the right punch and die tooling, and dialing in programs and back gauges. You run a first article, confirm tolerances with precision measuring tools, and document inspection data. Through the day, you execute production runs, perform in-process checks, correct machine malfunctions, and keep your area clean and organized. When needed, you stage and move materials using a manual pallet jack or forklift and perform routine maintenance to keep machines in top condition.
Core Responsibilities
- Set up, calibrate, and operate CNC press brakes; run multiple machines safely to meet quality and schedule targets.
- Power up, feed, run, and power down equipment following standard procedures.
- Read and interpret engineering blueprints (standard and metric), diagrams, and models; work from written and verbal instructions.
- Select appropriate punch and die tooling; calculate bend allowances across various materials and thicknesses.
- Perform first-piece and in-process inspections; verify dimensions and tolerances with precision measuring tools and record results.
- Troubleshoot and correct machine issues, including more complex malfunctions; make necessary adjustments.
- Complete routine maintenance and general cleanup of equipment and surrounding areas.
- Handle materials and stage work using a manual pallet jack and/or forklift as needed.
What You’ll Bring
- Proficiency with precision measuring instruments and documentation of inspection data.
- Ability to read and apply engineering blueprints; strong communication skills on the shop floor.
- Capability to stand, reach, bend, twist, sit, and lift up to 50 lbs on a routine basis.
Minimum Qualifications
- 3–5 years of CNC press brake experience.
- High School diploma or GED.
Preferred Experience
- Metal Stamping & Forming (Progressive Die)
- CNC Machine Setup & Changeover
- Machine Setups for Production Runs
- Excellent Communication Skills
Equipment You’ll Use
- Press Brake
- Punch Press
- Stamping Press
Accessibility
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
About the Role
Step into a hands-on role where your precision shapes every part we make. As a CNC Press Brake Setup Technician, you’ll support and run press brake operations from start to finish—setting up, calibrating, and operating equipment while keeping quality and safety at the forefront. You’ll work from verbal and written instructions, engineering drawings, and models to transform sheet metal into accurate, production-ready components.
A Day in the Life
You begin your shift by powering up multiple brake presses, selecting the right punch and die tooling, and dialing in programs and back gauges. You run a first article, confirm tolerances with precision measuring tools, and document inspection data. Through the day, you execute production runs, perform in-process checks, correct machine malfunctions, and keep your area clean and organized. When needed, you stage and move materials using a manual pallet jack or forklift and perform routine maintenance to keep machines in top condition.
Core Responsibilities
- Set up, calibrate, and operate CNC press brakes; run multiple machines safely to meet quality and schedule targets.
- Power up, feed, run, and power down equipment following standard procedures.
- Read and interpret engineering blueprints (standard and metric), diagrams, and models; work from written and verbal instructions.
- Select appropriate punch and die tooling; calculate bend allowances across various materials and thicknesses.
- Perform first-piece and in-process inspections; verify dimensions and tolerances with precision measuring tools and record results.
- Troubleshoot and correct machine issues, including more complex malfunctions; make necessary adjustments.
- Complete routine maintenance and general cleanup of equipment and surrounding areas.
- Handle materials and stage work using a manual pallet jack and/or forklift as needed.
What You’ll Bring
- Proficiency with precision measuring instruments and documentation of inspection data.
- Ability to read and apply engineering blueprints; strong communication skills on the shop floor.
- Capability to stand, reach, bend, twist, sit, and lift up to 50 lbs on a routine basis.
Minimum Qualifications
- 3–5 years of CNC press brake experience.
- High School diploma or GED.
Preferred Experience
- Metal Stamping & Forming (Progressive Die)
- CNC Machine Setup & Changeover
- Machine Setups for Production Runs
- Excellent Communication Skills
Equipment You’ll Use
- Press Brake
- Punch Press
- Stamping Press
Accessibility
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
See All 60 Press Brake Operator Jobs
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Find Press Brake Operator JobsPress Brake Operator Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in press brake operator jobs.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, and GD&T callouts
- Hands-on experience setting up and operating a CNC press brake
- Proficiency with precision measuring tools including calipers, micrometers, and gauges
- Knowledge of metal properties for materials such as mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
- Experience selecting and installing tooling including punches, dies, and V-blocks
- High school diploma or GED with one or more years of fabrication shop experience
Tips for Your Press Brake Operator Job Search
List every machine you have operated
Employers filter by specific press brake brands and control systems, so name each one you've run, such as Amada, Trumpf, or Cincinnati, along with the tonnage capacity. Vague terms like 'CNC experience' get passed over when a hiring manager is scanning for a specific machine.
Quantify your bend tolerance on your resume
Instead of writing 'maintained quality standards,' state the actual tolerances you held, such as plus or minus a few thousandths of an inch. Fabrication shops care about precision, and a specific tolerance figure tells a production manager more than any soft-skills phrase.
Target shops by their material focus
Job titles look identical across shops, but a stainless-steel food-equipment fabricator and a structural-steel shop require very different bend technique. Search by material specialty, such as stainless, aluminum, or mild steel, to find openings where your hands-on experience translates directly.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists press brake operator openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a portfolio of completed parts
Bring printed photos or a phone gallery of finished bent parts to your interview, especially complex geometries or tight-tolerance work. Most candidates show up with nothing visual, so a handful of clear images of your fabrication work immediately sets you apart from other applicants.
Ask about backgauge programming during the interview
Asking a specific question about how the shop programs its backgauge positions, whether through conversational controls or offline CAM software, signals real-world knowledge. It also surfaces whether the role is purely a setup-and-run position or whether you'll be expected to write programs from scratch.
Press Brake Operator Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most press brake operators?
The most active employers for press brake operators right now are SendcutSend, Addictive Desert Designs, and AAON, and the most openings are in Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Fabrication shops tied to aerospace, automotive tier-one suppliers, and industrial equipment manufacturers consistently post the highest volume of openings.
How many press brake operator jobs are remote?
About 0% of press brake operator openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most bending work requires physical presence at the machine. The small share of remote-eligible roles tends to involve offline CNC programming, nesting, or toolpath planning tasks that can be done away from the shop floor.
How do you become a press brake operator?
Most press brake operators start by earning a high school diploma or GED, then enter the trade through a fabrication helper or general shop assistant role where they learn to read blueprints and handle metal stock. From there, hands-on time on the machine under a lead operator builds the setup and tooling skills employers look for. Some community colleges and vocational programs offer sheet metal or CNC machining courses that accelerate that progression. A portfolio of completed parts and familiarity with at least one major control system, such as Amada or Trumpf, strengthens your application considerably.
Can I get hired as a press brake operator with no prior experience?
Some fabrication shops hire entry-level candidates as press brake helpers or material handlers and train them on the machine directly. To compete for those spots with no shop background, emphasize any experience with precision hand tools, mechanical assembly, or quality inspection, since those skills transfer to press brake work. A vocational course in sheet metal fabrication or CNC basics also signals commitment to the trade and can offset a thin work history.
What does the press brake operator interview process look like?
Most shops start with a phone or in-person screening focused on which machines and materials you've worked with and what tolerances you've held. A plant floor walk-through is common, where the hiring manager may ask you to identify tooling, explain a setup sequence, or describe how you'd approach a specific bend on a print they hand you. Some employers add a short hands-on skills test at the machine before making an offer.
Where can I find and apply to press brake operator jobs?
You can find and apply to press brake operator jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from fabrication shops and manufacturers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your machine experience and material background, then apply directly to each one that fits your situation.
See All 60 Press Brake Operator Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Press Brake Operator Jobs