Press Brake Operator I

About the role

• The Press Brake Operator independently sets up and operates the press brake and related fabrication equipment to produce complex, on-print parts that go into CPC's compliant containers for radioactive and hazardous material.
• This role requires die selection, bend allowance and radius calculations, precision measurement, and the ability to interpret complex blueprints and GD&T. This role is evaluated on two equally weighted dimensions: Competency (what you do) and Culture (how you do it).

Big 3 - Competency // What you'll do

• Independent Press Brake Setup & Operation

Additional information

Independently set up and operate the press brake and other fabrication equipment using correct dies, bend allowance, and bend radius calculations to produce parts to print on standard and complex materials.

Setup, Die Selection & Tooling

• Independently set up and operate the press brake and related fabrication equipment
• Select dies and tooling correctly based on material, thickness, and bend requirements
• Calculate and apply bend allowance and bend radius correctly for the assigned part

Operating Discipline & Safety

• Follow safety procedures, LOTO, and PPE requirements at all times
• Operate overhead crane and rigging equipment safely and within certification
• Keep the work cell clean, organized, and staged for the next job or shift
• Complex Layout, Blueprint & GD&T Execution

Interpret intermediate to advanced blueprints and GD&T (datums, bend callouts, form features) and execute complex part layouts and multi-hit forming to the tolerances required for compliant nuclear and hazardous-material containers.

Blueprint & GD&T Interpretation

• Interpret complex blueprints, bend callouts, and GD&T fundamentals accurately
• Identify datums, form features, and critical dimensions before setup
• Escalate print questions or discrepancies before starting the bend sequence

Complex Layout & Multi-Hit Forming

• Plan and execute complex part layouts and multi-hit forming without distortion
• Hold bend and flat tolerances per print on common and complex materials
• Verify dimensions with calipers, micrometers, and height gauges before releasing the part
• Quality, Throughput & Team Support

Deliver daily throughput with accurate documentation, maintain first-pass yield and low rework, and support Fabricator I development and reliable shift handoffs to keep the fabrication cell running as one team.

Quality, Yield & Documentation

• Meet daily throughput expectations with accurate documentation and no paperwork errors
• Hold first-pass yield at or above 95% on complex parts and rework below 2%
• Complete travelers, sign-offs, and quality records honestly and completely

Coaching & Shift Handoff

• Coach Fabricator I operators on setup, die selection, and print interpretation
• Provide clear, reliable handoffs between shifts and between cells
• Contribute to fixture ideas and standard-work updates that make the cell better

What this looks like in this role

• Filter setup and operating decisions through: does this help the customer succeed?
• Anticipate risks to fit, form, and finish and address them before the first hit
• Own the outcome of each part end-to-end - setup, forming, dimensional check, and paperwork
• Surface anything a customer or inspector might flag - dimension, distortion, or documentation - early
• Serve First, Lead Always

• "Servant leadership, integrity, and transparency in all we do."
• Serving first at this level means leading by example on the floor - safety, quality, and integrity in how you record work - and being transparent with supervisors and teammates when a setup, print, or material is not right.

What this looks like in this role

• Follow safety, LOTO, and quality procedures even when the schedule is tight
• Record travelers, first-piece checks, and sign-offs truthfully, every time
• Serve teammates by keeping tooling, dies, and consumables ready for the next operator
• Have hard conversations early - about print issues, tooling, or setup - rather than working around them
• Win, Together

• "We are becoming, and we are building, a great team."
• The Fabricator II is a reliable teammate the cell leans on. Winning together means the shift moves as one team - mentoring Fabricator I, coordinating cleanly with welding and assembly, and pulling others in on complex layouts.

What this looks like in this role

• Coach Fabricator I operators with patience and structure
• Coordinate hand-offs with welding, assembly, and QC so parts move without rework loops
• Step in when a teammate is stuck instead of leaving them to struggle
• Assume positive intent and share credit when the cell hits its goals
• Relentlessly Pursue Excellence

• "We get better every day, in every detail."
• CPC's customers depend on compliant, defensible containers. Relentless excellence at this level means chasing lower rework, tighter dimensional consistency, and better tooling and bend sequences every quarter - not just doing what you did last year.

What this looks like in this role

• Refine die selection, bend allowance, and bend sequence based on results, not habit
• Look for opportunities to reduce setups, distortion, and rework on complex designs
• Pursue additional fabrication process training and certifications as opportunities come up
• Challenge "good enough" when a safer or better way to run the bend is obvious
• Practice Blameless Accountability

• "We own the outcome, fix the issue, learn and move forward."
• Accountability at Fabricator II means owning your setups, your bends, and your paperwork - and being the first to raise a hand when something is off, so the team can fix the process rather than protect a person.

What this looks like in this role

• Report your own defects, rework, and near-misses openly and quickly
• Focus on root cause and process fixes when things go wrong, not blame
• Capture what you learned from a bad bend so the next operator does not repeat it

Accept coaching and correction without excuses or defensiveness

Qualifications

• 2+ years of press brake or fabrication experience in a manufacturing environment
• Ability to independently set up and operate a press brake and select the correct dies and tooling
• Intermediate to advanced blueprint reading and GD&T fundamentals, including datums and bend callouts
• Working knowledge of bend allowance and bend radius calculations
• Proficiency with precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers, height gauges)
• Overhead crane and rigging certification (or ability to obtain within a defined ramp period)
• Consistent attendance, reliable shift handoffs, and safe work practices