About the Role
Celestix Industries is looking for an experienced and hands-on CNC Press Brake Operator / CNC Bending Machine Operator to support our sheet metal fabrication and precision manufacturing operations.
The selected candidate will be responsible for independently programming, setting up and operating CNC press brake machines to manufacture accurate sheet metal components according to engineering drawings and production requirements.
The position requires practical expertise in CNC bending, press brake programming, punch and die selection, tooling setup, back gauge positioning, bending sequences, bend allowances, springback correction and dimensional inspection.
Candidates should be capable of creating and modifying bending programs, selecting suitable tooling, setting up machines and producing consistent components without constant supervision.
Experience with Rajesh Global CNC Press Brake machines equipped with Step Automation 15+ controllers will be an added advantage where this equipment is used.
The most important requirement is independent CNC press brake programming and machine setup, combined with the ability to produce accurate bends while minimizing material rejection and rework.
We need a practical CNC machine operator who understands how machine settings, tooling, material properties and bending sequences affect finished component quality.
Key Responsibilities
1. CNC Press Brake Machine Operation
- Independently operate CNC press brake machines for sheet metal bending and fabrication.
- Perform machine start-up, reference setting and daily operational checks.
- Verify machine readiness, tooling condition and safety devices before production.
- Load, select and execute bending programs according to production requirements.
- Set up the machine for different sheet metal components and material thicknesses.
- Monitor machine operation, bending accuracy and production output.
- Identify abnormal operating conditions and machine alarms.
- Ensure completed components meet approved drawing requirements.
- Follow daily production plans and assigned job priorities.
- Maintain consistent quality and productivity during batch production.
2. CNC Programming & Controller Operation
The candidate should be capable of independently creating and modifying CNC bending programs using the installed machine controller.
Responsibilities include:
- Create, load, modify and optimize bending programs.
- Enter component dimensions, bend angles, flange lengths, material thickness and tooling information.
- Configure back gauge settings and bending sequences.
- Verify program parameters before executing production.
- Understand CNC-controlled back gauge movement and available axis positioning.
- Make necessary program adjustments to correct dimensional variations.
- Save and retrieve approved programs for repeat production.
- Identify and resolve common programming errors.
- Coordinate with Engineering when drawing revisions require program changes.
Familiarity with Step Automation 15+ or comparable CNC press brake controllers is preferred.
The operator should have practical understanding of:
- CNC bending operations
- Sheet metal forming
- Single and multiple bends
- Bend angles and bending sequences
- Bend allowance and bend deduction
- Material thickness and bend radius
- Springback compensation
- Flange length measurement
- Back gauge positioning
- Tonnage and machine capacity
- Tooling selection and setup
Responsibilities include:
- Determine appropriate bending sequences according to engineering drawings.
- Understand how material thickness and grade affect bending.
- Identify potential tooling interference or machine limitations.
- Adjust bending parameters to maintain dimensional accuracy.
- Reduce unnecessary trial bends, material damage and rejection.
- Maintain repeatability throughout production.
- Select suitable upper punches and lower dies for different bending requirements.
- Understand common punch profiles, die openings and tooling configurations.
- Select appropriate tooling based on material thickness, required bend angle and bend radius.
- Install and align punches and dies correctly.
- Set up machines for different component geometries.
- Verify tooling condition before production.
- Understand basic press tonnage calculations and tooling limitations.
- Identify damaged or worn tooling.
- Coordinate tooling replacement and maintenance.
- Maintain proper tooling handling and storage procedures.
The operator must understand how tooling selection, die opening, bend radius and material properties affect bending quality and machine safety.
5. Back Gauge Setting & Bending Sequence
- Set back gauge positions according to component dimensions.
- Verify back gauge accuracy before production.
- Understand back gauge movements and machine axis positioning.
- Establish bending sequences for multi-bend sheet metal components.
- Identify potential collisions between parts, tooling and machine structures.
- Consider component orientation during bending.
- Adjust bending sequences where necessary.
- Maintain correct flange lengths and bend positioning.
- Ensure bending sequences are repeatable for batch production.
6. Engineering Drawing Interpretation
- Read and interpret 2D engineering drawings and fabrication drawings.
- Understand dimensions, tolerances and bend specifications.
- Interpret bend angles, bend directions, flange lengths and overall component geometry.
- Identify critical dimensional requirements.
- Verify material grade and thickness.
- Understand multiple-bend components and their forming sequence.
- Coordinate technical clarification with Engineering or Production when required.
- Ensure completed components meet approved drawing revisions.
Operate CNC press brake machines for sheet metal materials including:
- Mild Steel (MS)
- Stainless Steel (SS)
- Galvanized Steel (GI)
- Aluminium
- Other compatible sheet metal materials, according to machine capacity
Responsibilities include:
- Verify correct material type and thickness.
- Select approved bending programs for each material.
- Handle cut sheet metal blanks carefully.
- Prevent scratches, dents, deformation and surface damage.
- Maintain proper identification of components and work orders.
- Monitor material handling to reduce wastage and rejected components.
- Coordinate the movement of completed components to subsequent fabrication processes.
8. First-Piece Inspection & Quality Control
- Perform first-piece inspections before batch production.
- Verify bend angles, flange lengths and overall component dimensions.
- Use vernier calipers, measuring tapes, angle gauges and other suitable measuring instruments.
- Check component alignment, squareness and dimensional accuracy.
- Identify incorrect bend angles, springback, twisting and dimensional deviations.
- Adjust permitted machine settings and programs to correct errors.
- Ensure production remains consistent throughout the batch.
- Segregate rejected and nonconforming components.
- Coordinate with the Quality team when necessary.
9. Bending Accuracy & Rejection Reduction
- Monitor bending-related defects and production rejection.
- Identify the causes of incorrect bend angles and dimensional deviations.
- Reduce unnecessary trial pieces and repeated setup adjustments.
- Maintain consistent tooling and machine setup methods.
- Improve repeatability for recurring production jobs.
- Coordinate with Engineering to resolve manufacturability concerns.
- Minimize rework, material damage and excessive handling.
- Support improvements in manufacturing efficiency and bending quality.
10. Production Planning & Output Management
- Execute assigned bending jobs according to production schedules.
- Confirm material, drawings, programs and tooling availability before production.
- Monitor hourly and daily production quantities.
- Coordinate job changes and machine setups.
- Reduce unnecessary machine idle time.
- Maintain proper identification of work-in-progress.
- Coordinate completed components with welding, fabrication or other downstream operations.
- Report material shortages, technical problems and production delays.
- Maintain accurate production and rejection records.
11. Machine Maintenance & Troubleshooting
- Perform daily machine cleaning and routine operational checks.
- Monitor tooling condition and machine performance.
- Identify abnormalities involving back gauge positioning, bending accuracy and machine movement.
- Report hydraulic, electrical or controller-related problems.
- Coordinate machine servicing and preventive maintenance.
- Assist authorized maintenance personnel in identifying operating problems.
- Maintain machine cleanliness and basic operational records.
Specialized electrical, hydraulic and CNC control repairs must be handled by authorized maintenance personnel.
12. Safety, Housekeeping & 5S
- Follow approved CNC press brake machine safety procedures.
- Ensure machine guards, interlocks and other safety systems are used correctly.
- Use required personal protective equipment.
- Follow safe material handling and tooling change procedures.
- Maintain safe hand positioning and avoid pinch points.
- Never bypass machine safety systems.
- Keep the machine and tooling area clean and organized.
- Follow 5S practices and shop-floor housekeeping requirements.
- Report unsafe working conditions promptly.
Required Experience
- 2–5 years of hands-on experience operating CNC press brake machines.
- Ability to independently set up and operate a CNC bending machine.
- Practical experience creating and modifying bending programs.
- Knowledge of punch and die selection and tooling setup.
- Understanding of bend angles, bend allowance, springback and bend sequences.
- Experience configuring and operating CNC back gauges.
- Ability to read engineering drawings and understand dimensional requirements.
- Experience with sheet metal fabrication and bending quality inspection.
- Ability to inspect components and correct common bending-related defects.
- Basic machine troubleshooting and production reporting skills.
Preferred Experience
- Experience operating Rajesh Global CNC Press Brake machines.
- Familiarity with Step Automation 15+ controllers or comparable systems.
- Experience in precision sheet metal fabrication.
- Practical knowledge of mild steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel and aluminium bending.
- Experience setting up multiple-component production jobs.
- Ability to improve bending accuracy and minimize rejection.
- Understanding of machine capacity, tooling limitations and safe bending practices.
Candidates with strong CNC press brake programming and setup experience on other machine brands are also encouraged to apply.
Qualifications
- ITI in Fitter, Machinist, Sheet Metal or a related technical trade.
- Diploma in Mechanical or Production Engineering.
- Equivalent practical CNC press brake operating experience may also be considered.
Hands-on technical ability, independent programming and machine setup experience are more important than the exact educational qualification.
Ideal Candidate
We are looking for someone who can independently receive a sheet metal fabrication drawing, understand the component requirements and complete the bending operation accurately.
For example, when given a component with multiple bends and different flange lengths, the candidate should be able to:
- Read the engineering drawing.
- Understand the required bend angles and dimensions.
- Select appropriate punches and dies.
- Determine the correct bending sequence.
- Set up the CNC press brake.
- Create or modify the bending program.
- Configure back gauge positions.
- Perform a first-piece trial.
- Measure bend angles and critical dimensions.
- Correct springback or dimensional variations.
- Complete batch production consistently.
We are not looking for an operator whose responsibility has only been loading pre-existing programs and operating the machine.
The strongest candidates will have independent CNC programming ability, sound tooling knowledge, accurate bending skills and experience maintaining consistent quality in sheet metal fabrication.
