Forge Operator

At Ellwood, we believe metal is a pillar of human process. What makes it possible are the people behind it; people who don't just meet the highest standards but define them. And who always respect the stakes at hand.

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Ellwood Texas Forge Navasota, LLC (ETFN) produces closed-die forged components used in demanding applications worldwide, serving markets such as mining and construction, aerospace, oil and gas, marine, defense, power generation, automotive, heavy truck, and industrial sectors. The company provides complete solutions, including forging, machining, heat treating, and welding, helping customers improve performance and reliability. ETFN forges carbon, alloy, stainless steels, titanium, and nickel-based alloys to near net shape, often replacing castings, consolidating multiple fabricated parts, and reducing weight and lead times.

As part of the Ellwood Closed Die Group, the facility benefits from extensive forging capabilities, including high-tonnage mechanical, screw, hydraulic presses, conventional hammers, and counter blow hammers.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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…