Industrial Metal Forging Operator - Rail Systems

Job Description

Job Description

Forge your career. Build the rails that connect communities.

At Amsted Rail, our forgings keep freight moving safely across North America and beyond. As an Industrial Metal Forging Operator, you’ll transform hot steel into mission-critical components by setting up, operating, and continuously improving our forging lines—delivering the precision, safety, and reliability our customers count on.

How you’ll make an impact

Safety & Environmental Stewardship

• Model plant-wide safety, ergonomics, and environmental standards specified by Amsted Rail’s Health & Safety program.

Operations & Quality

• Set up and run forging equipment; load programs on control units and verify proper start-up.
• Use gauges to confirm dimensions and conformance to the departmental quality plan; check for defects and escalate when needed.
• Monitor transfer conveyors; listen for indicators such as excessive vibration and adjust to address abnormal conditions.
• Tune manual or automatic parameters and adjust controls when parts drift out of tolerance or machines malfunction.
• Understand operational sequences and final part dimensions to ensure right-first-time results.

Equipment Care & Troubleshooting

• Lift and position machine components manually or with hoists/cranes; select and use hand/power tools safely.
• Perform preventative maintenance tasks and troubleshoot part compliance and equipment issues to restore flow.

Collaboration & Documentation

• Assist setup personnel during changeovers across multiple lines/cells and maintain clear communication with operators and supervisors.
• Record production run information accurately in the company computer system.
• Adapt and maintain performance as physical demands and environmental conditions change.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Department-Specific Focus

• Select program into machine control units to start operation
• Perform preventative maintenance tasks on equipment
• Troubleshoot part compliance and equipment problems

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily with or without accommodation.

What you’ll need to succeed

• Successfully pass a pre-employment drug & background screening
• Ability to lift, push, and pull between 10 and 50 lbs.
• Commitment to wearing all department-required, employer-provided PPE.
• Comfort standing and moving throughout the department for the full shift.
• Mechanical aptitude; industrial experience preferred.

Rewards that recognize your contribution

• Employee Ownership: Annual stock awards (10% of compensation)
• 401(k) Match: Up to 4% dollar-for-dollar
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, HSA with company contributions, life insurance, disability coverage, and pet insurance available after 30 days
• Competitive Pay: Competitive hourly rate, experience pay considering prior experience, plus annual bonus eligibility potential, and pay for skill
• Growth & Development: On-the-job training, pay-for-skill, and clear advancement pathways
• Work-Life Balance: PTO starting at 3 weeks, 11 paid holidays, Monday–Thursday schedule (5:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.)
• Extras: Tuition Reimbursement, Referral Bonuses, Employee Discount Programs

Equal Opportunity and Compliance

Amsted Rail’s commitment to Affirmative Action:

Amsted Rail is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

To review our EEO Policies or to request assistance please go to and select EEO Compliance/Statements. To learn more about us, please visit us online at