Forge Operator

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Forge Operator – DG80 Complex/Hammer Shop

ELLWOOD Texas Forge Navasota is seeking safety-focused Forge Operators to join our forging operations in Navasota, Texas. Forge Operators work as part of a crew using industrial hammers, presses, furnaces, dies, tools, and material-handling equipment to heat and shape steel into forged parts.

Employees may be assigned to the DG80 Complex or Hammer Shop based on their demonstrated abilities, experience, safety performance, and operational needs. Equipment and specific responsibilities vary by assigned work area.

What You’ll Do

• Work as part of a forge crew to heat, preform, forge, trim, inspect, and move steel parts.
• Operate or assist with closed-die forging hammers, presses, furnaces, and material-handling equipment as assigned.
• Assist Hammer Operators, Group Leads, and other crew members with forging operations, equipment setup, and die changes.
• Use tongs and assigned tools to maneuver, control, rotate, and position heated material during the forging process.
• Remove scale from heated material and dies and apply die lubricant as required.
• Assist with heating, preparing, aligning, and maintaining dies at specified operating temperatures.
• Operate or assist with forklifts, manipulators, cranes, and other material-handling equipment when assigned and authorized.
• Inspect forged parts for cracks, mismatch, incomplete fill, scale pitting, surface imperfections, improper trimming, and other visible defects.
• Use calipers and other assigned measuring tools to verify part requirements.
• Return material for reheating or additional forging when directed.
• Complete required equipment inspections and accurately document production and quality information.
• Report unsafe conditions, equipment problems, process deviations, and potential quality concerns.
• Package, identify, and move completed parts to the appropriate downstream operation.
• Maintain a clean work area and follow all PPE, lockout/tagout, safety, quality, and operating procedures.
• Perform other assigned duties based on production and operational needs.

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or GED.
• Two years of experience in heavy manufacturing, steel, foundry, forging, press operation, industrial production, heavy equipment, or a similar hands-on environment.
• Forging, forklift, mobile-equipment, high-temperature manufacturing, impact-wrench, or industrial-tool experience is preferred.
• Ability to safely use industrial tools and work around large machinery, moving equipment, and heated material.
• Ability to follow instructions, hand signals, safety procedures, and production requirements.
• Strong attention to safety, quality, equipment movement, and surrounding crew members.
• Dependable attendance, reliable transportation, and willingness to learn and work closely with a crew.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Perform physically demanding forging work requiring the safe lifting, maneuvering, controlling, and positioning of heavy parts, tools, and material at varying work heights, including work surfaces up to approximately 48 inches.
• Perform repeated reaching, gripping, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, balancing, and body positioning throughout the assigned operation, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Stand and walk for extended periods while working at a steady and safety-focused pace.
• Work in an extremely hot and loud heavy-manufacturing environment near steel heated to approximately 2,200°F.
• Work around furnaces, heated dies, forging hammers, presses, moving equipment, vibration, oil, lubricants, dust, flying scale, sparks, and hot metal particles.
• Wear all required personal protective equipment throughout the shift, which may include metatarsal safety boots, hard hat, face shield, hearing protection, safety glasses, leather apron, gloves, and long sleeves.

Schedule

Must be flexible and available to work assigned shifts, including a biweekly rotating schedule. Days, evenings, nights, weekends, overtime, and schedule changes may be required based on operational needs.

Why Join ELLWOOD?

ELLWOOD offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Starting pay of $19.00 per hour
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance beginning on day one
• Vested 401(k) retirement plan
• 10 days of vacation and three sick days
• On-site clinic
• Shift differential and overtime opportunities
• Company-provided uniforms and required PPE
• Advancement opportunities
• Additional company-sponsored benefits

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment physical, background check, and drug screening.