Forger — Direct Hire

**Meadville, PA

**

$23.70/hour base + $1.00/hour shift differential | $500 Sign-On Bonus

2nd Shift: 5 openings | 3rd Shift: 2 openings (flexibility between shifts welcome)

*Full-Time | Direct Hire | New hires start every Monday

*

About the Role

A leading American hand tool manufacturer in the Meadville area is hiring Forgers for its production floor. As a Forger, you will operate board-type drop hammers to shape heated ferrous alloy bars into the precision components that go into a household-name product line. Hands-on, skilled work with a well-established Crawford County manufacturer — and a strong path forward for the right person. Experienced forgers preferred, but motivated candidates from related trades will be considered and trained.

What You’ll Do

• Set up, adjust, and operate board-type drop hammers of various sizes
• Position and align upper and lower mating dies in hammer and trimming press by trial-and-error to maintain alignment
• Handle hot rod, square, and shaped bars (typically ferrous alloys) by hand or with tongs, moving material between cavities
• Operate the hammer via foot treadle
• Direct one helper and manage proper bar heating temperatures
• Insert new boards as needed
• Spot-check parts against fixed gauges to maintain quality standards
• Lubricate hammer and press
• Escalate any questionable job conditions to your Supervisor

What We’re Looking For

• Forging, hot work, heavy press, foundry, or similar production experience preferred — will train the right candidate
• Comfort with measuring instruments and basic shop-floor trade knowledge
• Short-term trades training or equivalent shop experience a plus
• Sound judgment for die positioning, alignment, and heat control
• Physical stamina — continuous strain on foot treadle while manipulating metal between dies
• Continuous mental and visual focus for short-cycle, repetitive work
• Safety-first mindset — you are responsible for a helper, too
• Reliable attendance and a strong work ethic

Compensation & Schedule

• Base rate: $23.70/hour
• Shift differential: +$1.00/hour
• Sign-on bonus: $500
• 2nd Shift: 5 openings | 3rd Shift: 2 openings
• Direct hire — you are a full-time employee from day one
• New hires start every Monday — rolling start dates

Benefits & Perks

Health & Financial Security

• Medical, Dental & Vision plans
• Wellness credits toward health insurance co-pay
• Life, Accidental Death, and Disability coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Prescription Safety Glasses program
• Company Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions

Competitive Pay & Incentives

• Overtime pay opportunities
• $500 Sign-On Bonus
• Hourly Productivity Performance Incentive
• Up to $2,500 Perfect Attendance Incentive
• $2,000 Referral Bonus

Time Off

• Paid holidays and additional paid time off
• Sick leave
• Paid birthday off

Employee Recognition

• Annual anniversary awards
• Significant anniversary awards

Perks That Pay Off

• Employee discount card for area partners
• $125 annual work boot voucher
• $2,000 textbook reimbursement
• Gym membership and equipment reimbursement

Working Conditions

Continuous exposure to hammer noise, vibration, scale, heat, and temperature variation. Considerable physical effort required. PPE provided and required.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Drug screen
• Background check

You should be proficient in:

• Industrial Construction
• Heavy Equipment Repair
• Pneumatics Experience
• Hydraulics Experience
• Glass Fabrication
• Material Handler Experience
• Tape Measure Reading
• Maintenance and Repair Skills
• Metal Stamping & Forming (Progressive Die)
• Mechanical Assembly Skills
• Machine Safety Inspections
• Manual Machining Skills
• Foundry Environment Experience
• Metal Casting Experience