Precision Press Brake & Sheet Metal Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Join Powell in Southeast Houston

Powell designs and builds switchgear and other electrical equipment. We’re adding a skilled operator to our Southeast Houston manufacturing team to run press brakes and other fabrication machinery.

Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 2:30 PM–1:00 AM; overtime as needed.

A Day in the Life

You’ll arrive for the afternoon shift, review shop drawings and work instructions, and set up NC-controlled fabrication equipment for the next run. You’ll verify size and length requirements within allowable tolerances, select and move raw material to the right station, and measure and mark sheet metal using templates. Through the shift, you’ll operate metalworking machines—press brake, turret, plasma, laser, and related tools—to cut, punch, drill, shape, or straighten parts. You’ll grind and buff seams and joints, monitor quality at each step, and make adjustments on the fly to keep production moving safely and accurately.

What You’ll Do

• Set up and operate fabrication equipment; determine size/length per specifications and tolerances.
• Select, stage, and transport materials manually or with material-handling devices.
• Measure and mark sheet metal from templates; perform cutting, punching, drilling, shaping, and straightening operations.
• Grind and buff seams, joints, and rough edges for a clean finish.
• Perform preventive maintenance on machines, tooling, and small electric/air tools; carry out basic machinery repairs.
• Inspect parts to verify quality and conformance; follow standard work instructions and flag any risks to product quality.
• Assist with inventory control activities.
• Promote our safety culture and participate in all required safety meetings.
• Keep work areas clean, orderly, and audit-ready.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma preferred.
• 1+ year of metal fabrication experience is an asset.
• Familiarity with turret presses, press brakes, plasma and laser equipment, copper work, and other metalworking machinery is a plus.
• Exposure to an MES (Manufacturing Execution System) is considered an asset.
• Basic Microsoft Office skills.

Skills & Attributes

• Able to program—or learn to program—NC equipment.
• Reads and interprets shop drawings accurately.
• Team-oriented problem solver with urgency and a can-do mindset; drives results collaboratively.
• Self-starter who can handle multiple tasks and follow through.
• Conscientious, thorough, accurate, and reliable.
• Learns and adheres to manufacturing policies and practices to support ISO requirements.
• Works effectively with teammates and adjacent departments.
• Basic command of English, written and verbal.

Working & Environmental Conditions

• Safety-sensitive role in a temperature-controlled manufacturing/industrial setting with occasional outdoor tasks.
• Occasionally seated in a semi-enclosed space to perform work.
• PPE required at all times (e.g., hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, safety harness as needed) and respirator when required.
• Work from step, A-frame, and extension ladders; use scaffolding as needed.
• Work at heights typically up to 30 feet using proper lift equipment.

Physical Requirements

• Maintain balance and agility to prevent falls while walking, standing, crouching, and on stairs.
• Frequent bending at the waist and knees; repetitive extension of arms and hands.
• Continuous standing and walking (50–300 feet) for extended periods; only occasional sitting.
• Frequent stair climbing throughout the shift.
• Frequent overhead work and use of both arms at full reach; ability to look over shoulders often.
• Apply continuous upper-extremity force up to 50 lbs.
• Use hand tools (tin snips, hammer) and power tools—including some vibrating tools—for long periods with frequent repetition.

Note

This description highlights the essential functions of the role and is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties and tasks.