Forge/Hammer 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 are trained to perform multiple crew functions, including blowing scale, applying die lubricant, controlling and positioning heated material with tongs, and operating the forging hammer.

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.

This is highly physical, fast-paced work. Depending on assignment, operators use long-handled tongs and chain-assisted equipment to control and precisely position extremely heavy heated material. The equipment supports the material's weight, but operators must apply significant physical force and maintain a secure grip. Operators must respond quickly to crew signals and reposition material at the required time while remaining controlled, accurate, and safety-focused.

What You'll Do

• Work as part of a forge crew to heat, preform, forge, trim, inspect, and move steel parts.
• Train to perform and rotate through multiple forge-crew functions, including blowing scale from heated material and dies, applying die lubricant, using tongs to control and position heated material, and operating the forging hammer.
• Assist Hammer Operators, Group Leads, and other crew members with forging operations, equipment setup, and die changes.
• Use long-handled tongs and chain-assisted equipment to quickly and accurately guide, rotate, reposition, and control extremely heavy heated material in coordination with the Hammer Operator and other crew members.
• Remove scale from heated material and dies and apply die lubricant at the proper time during the forging cycle.
• Train to operate the forging hammer, carefully controlling hammer strikes to shape the part according to the required process and coordinating each strike with crew members handling the material.
• Learn and respond to established hand signals, verbal directions, equipment cues, and the timing of the forging cycle.
• Rotate among assigned crew stations based on training, demonstrated proficiency, safety performance, and operational needs.
• 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 learn a coordinated forging process, follow crew signals, and adjust between fast, controlled material movements and careful hammer operation.
• Willingness and ability to learn multiple forge-crew stations, including scale blowing, die lubrication, tong operation, and forging-hammer operation.
• 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 control and positioning of extremely heavy parts and materials at varying work heights, including work surfaces up to approximately 48 inches.
• Depending on assignment, repeatedly grip and control long-handled tongs while applying physical force to slightly raise, push, pull, rotate, guide, and position extremely heavy material supported by chain-assisted equipment.
• Maintain control of supported material and respond safely if it shifts, swings, rolls, binds, or does not align properly.
• Perform repeated reaching, gripping, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, balancing, and body positioning throughout the assigned operation.
• 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 2,200F.
• 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.