Press Setup Operator

Job Title: Press Setup Technician (Stamping – 1st & 2nd Shift)
Job Description

This hands-on role focuses on setting up, operating, and maintaining punch press equipment used in the production of light gauge copper and stainless steel components in a reel-to-reel stamping environment. You will perform both progressive die setups and day-to-day press operations while ensuring quality standards, supporting production flow, and contributing to a clean, organized, and team-oriented manufacturing floor.

Responsibilities

• Set up and tear down stamping dies on 10T–32T presses, including progressive dies (4-post, 2-post, modular), upset dies, and cut-off machines.
• Adjust tooling and press equipment to meet production rates, dimensional requirements, and quality standards.
• Operate punch presses after setup, ensuring stable production and consistent part quality.
• Perform in-process inspections using appropriate measurement tools to verify dimensions and quality.
• Read and interpret blueprints, RPI’s, process definitions, process sheets, and setup parameter documents to complete setups and operations correctly.
• Perform minor press maintenance to keep machines in working order, including basic checks and simple service tasks.
• Maintain accurate documentation, including die repair logs, parameter sheets, and production records.
• Support production by restocking raw materials, assisting with material handling, and unloading materials as needed.
• Train operators on safety procedures, quality checks, and machine operation when required.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced production environment while supporting changing production needs.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in accordance with plant standards.
• Collaborate with production, tool room, and maintenance teams to resolve issues and maintain efficient production flow.

Essential Skills

• Experience setting up and tearing down progressive dies for punch presses.
• Ability and willingness to both set up and operate presses, not solely perform setups.
• Hands-on experience working with punch presses, specifically in stamping applications rather than only large forming presses.
• Ability to read and follow blueprints, process sheets, and setup parameter documents.
• Experience performing tooling adjustments and in-process quality checks during production.
• Capability to work effectively in a fast-paced production environment and support production needs.
• Proficiency in press setup, die setup, and press operation in a progressive die environment.
• Competence in performing basic press maintenance tasks to keep equipment running reliably.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Minster presses in the 10T–32T range.
• Experience with Eagle presses.
• Background working with light gauge metals such as copper and stainless steel.
• Experience in reel-to-reel stamping environments where material is fed from coils into the press.
• Prior experience training operators or mentoring less experienced team members.
• Comfort performing minor machine maintenance, including checking fluid levels and performing oil changes.
• Familiarity with quality checks in a stamping environment, including use of measurement tools and documentation.
• Exposure to clean, light manufacturing environments and smaller tonnage presses.

Why Work Here?

You will join a stable, established operation that offers consistent production and overtime opportunities, providing a reliable and engaging workload. The environment emphasizes technical growth, giving you strong exposure to progressive die setups and hands-on machine work rather than repetitive button-pushing. You will work in a clean, light manufacturing setting with light gauge materials, avoiding heavy or dirty stamping environments. The role supports ongoing skill-building, particularly on Minster presses, and offers flexibility on pay for candidates with strong setup experience. You will be part of a team-oriented culture with close interaction across departments and direct access to decision-makers, creating a collaborative and supportive workplace.

Work Environment

The facility is a clean, organized stamping environment focused on smaller tonnage presses in the 10T–32T range. Production uses a reel-to-reel process where light gauge copper and stainless steel materials feed from coils into the press, rather than heavy forming or large sheet metal work. The role combines both setup and machine operation, ensuring that you stay hands-on with equipment and closely connected to production output. The floor operates on 1st shift (approximately 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and 2nd shift (approximately 3:15 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.), with a shift differential available for 2nd shift. You will work in a team-oriented environment with regular interaction between production, tool room, and maintenance, and there is an expectation to remain flexible and responsive to changing production needs.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Painesville, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $32.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available 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 Painesville,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 8, 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.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.