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Forging Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Company Description Anderson Shumaker is a Chicago-based open die forging shop, proudly producing high-quality custom forgings since 1902.

Maintenance Mechanic

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$20 - $37/hr

Finkl Steel is one of the world's leading manufacturers of forging die steels, plastic injection mold steels, die casting tool steels, forged alloy bars, and custom open die forgings. Finkl Steel is ...

Saw Operator

Carol Stream, IL ยท On-site

$21/hr

Assists in the production of quality parts by providing raw materials to forging production that meet customer specifications. Essential Job Functions: * Unloads bar stock bundles from Bar Stock Rack ...

Industrial Electrician

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$38 - $45/hr

Finkl Steel is one of the world's leading manufacturers of forging die steels, plastic injection mold steels, die casting tool steels, forged alloy bars, and custom open die forgings. Finkl Steel is ...

Retail Sales Associate-Naperville

Naperville, IL ยท On-site

$15 - $17.25/hr

Forge lasting relationships with customers. * Work with the sales team to ensure each customer receives the best service possible. * Greet customers in a timely, authentic and engaging manner.

Retail Sales Associate-Naperville

Naperville, IL ยท On-site

$15 - $17.25/hr

Forge lasting relationships with customers. * Work with the sales team to ensure each customer receives the best service possible. * Greet customers in a timely, authentic and engaging manner.

Industrial Electrician

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$38 - $45/hr

Finkl Steel is one of the world's leading manufacturers of forging die steels, plastic injection mold steels, die casting tool steels, forged alloy bars, and custom open die forgings. Finkl Steel is ...

Melt Shop Helper

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$21.48/hr

Finkl Steel is one of the world's leading manufacturers of forging die steels, plastic injection mold steels, die casting tool steels, forged alloy bars, and custom open die forgings. Finkl Steel is ...

MELT SHOP HELPER

Chicago, IL ยท On-site

$21.48/hr

Finkl Steel is one of the world's leading manufacturers of forging die steels, plastic injection mold steels, die casting tool steels, forged alloy bars, and custom open die forgings. Finkl Steel is ...

Retail Sales Associate-Naperville

Naperville, IL ยท On-site

$15 - $17.25/hr

Forge lasting relationships with customers. * Work with the sales team to ensure each customer receives the best service possible. * Greet customers in a timely, authentic and engaging manner.

Retail Sales Associate

Oak Brook, IL ยท On-site

$15 - $17/hr

Forge lasting relationships with customers. * Work with the sales team to ensure each customer receives the best service possible. * Greet customers in a timely, authentic and engaging manner.

Showing results 41-60

Forging information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$17

$29

$40

How much do forging jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for forging in Chicago, IL is $29.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.05 and $32.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is forging?

Forging jobs involve shaping metal using compressive forces, often with the help of hammers, presses, or dies. Workers in forging roles are responsible for heating metal to a pliable state and then forming it into desired shapes for use in manufacturing, construction, automotive, or aerospace industries. These jobs require physical strength, attention to safety, and knowledge of metal properties. Common positions include forge operators, blacksmiths, and die setters.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a forging technician?

To thrive as a Forging Technician, you need a solid understanding of metallurgy, blueprint reading, and mechanical aptitude, typically gained through vocational training or an apprenticeship. Familiarity with forging presses, furnaces, CNC machinery, and quality control systems is essential, along with relevant safety certifications. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help ensure precision and safe operation in a demanding environment. These skills are crucial for producing high-quality forged components while maintaining safety and efficiency in manufacturing settings.

What are some common challenges faced by forging professionals and how can they be addressed in the workplace?

Forging professionals often encounter challenges such as maintaining precise temperature control, ensuring consistent product quality, and managing heavy machinery safely. These challenges are typically addressed through ongoing training, strict adherence to safety protocols, and collaboration with quality assurance teams. Many workplaces also invest in advanced monitoring equipment and encourage open communication among team members to quickly identify and resolve issues. By fostering a culture of safety and continuous improvement, forging professionals can mitigate risks and maintain high production standards.

What is the difference between Forging vs Machining?

AspectForgingMachining
Primary ProcessShaping metal through compressive forces using hammers or pressesRemoving material from a workpiece using cutting tools
Work EnvironmentFactories or workshops with heavy machineryMachine shops, manufacturing facilities, or precision labs
Required SkillsKnowledge of forging techniques, metallurgy, and equipment operationPrecision measurement, tool operation, and material removal techniques
Common CertificationsNone specific, but metallurgy knowledge beneficialMachining certifications like CNC or precision machining

Forging and machining are both essential manufacturing processes but differ significantly. Forging involves shaping metal through compressive forces, creating strong, durable parts, often in heavy industrial settings. Machining, on the other hand, removes material to achieve precise dimensions and finishes. While forging emphasizes forming and strength, machining focuses on precision and detail. Both roles require specialized skills and are vital in manufacturing industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Forging jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Forging jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Forging job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Internship, 82% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,641 per year, or $29.2 per hour.

CNC Programmer -- Multi-Axis Milling & Turning | Aerospace & Defense

Acme Machining

Elk Grove Village, IL โ€ข On-site

$45 - $55/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Develop and optimize CNC programs for multi-axis milling, turning, and horizontal boring mill operations using CAM software.

  • Build conceptual machining strategies including operation sequencing, tooling selection, workholding concepts, and fixture approaches for complex machined castings and forgings.

  • Prove out new programs on the floor and make real-time adjustments at the control to achieve first-article approval.


Job description

CNC Programmer — Multi-Axis Milling & Turning | Aerospace & Defense

Elk Grove Village, IL | On-Site | Full-Time | Reports to Engineering

| Day 1 Benefits | Weekly Pay

Write the programs that make the parts that matter.

Acme Industries is hiring a CNC Programmer to develop and optimize machining programs for complex precision components across aerospace, defense, power generation, mining, and transportation markets. You'll work inside our Engineering department — not on the floor waiting for a machine to free up — developing programs, building tooling strategies, and collaborating with machinists and engineers to solve real manufacturing problems.

We run high-mix, low-volume work. Large castings and forgings. Tight tolerances. Parts measured in feet that go into aircraft, defense systems, and power plants. If you've spent your career programming the same family of parts on repeat, this will be a different experience — and for the right programmer, a more interesting one.

We currently have a CNC Programmer I on the team who is growing fast. The person we hire needs to be capable of owning the more complex programming work — multi-axis milling, large-part turning, boring mill programs — and capable of being a technical resource the team learns from.

What You'll Own

  • Develop and optimize CNC programs for multi-axis milling, turning, and horizontal boring mill operations using CAM software — TopSolid and SmartCAM preferred; Mastercam, Esprit, or NX also considered
  • Build conceptual machining strategies including operation sequencing, tooling selection, workholding concepts, and fixture approaches for complex machined castings and forgings
  • Prove out new programs on the floor — make real-time adjustments at the control to achieve first-article approval
  • Collaborate with machinists, setup techs, and manufacturing engineers to optimize programs for cycle time, tool life, and quality
  • Support the quoting and estimating function with CAM-based cycle time analysis and machining strategy input
  • Develop and maintain programming standards, templates, and best practices that the broader team can build from
  • Mentor and support CNC Programmer I in developing their multi-axis and complex programming capabilities
  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives — better programs, faster setups, smarter tooling strategies

What We Need

Required:

  • 5+ years of CNC programming experience with demonstrated multi-axis (4-axis and 5-axis) milling and turning capability
  • Proficiency in at least one major CAM platform — TopSolid, SmartCAM, Mastercam, Esprit, or NX
  • Experience programming for precision machined castings, forgings, or complex components — not just prismatic or simple turned parts
  • Strong understanding of machining fundamentals — feeds, speeds, tooling, workholding, surface finish, and tolerance requirements
  • Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings and GD&T accurately and independently
  • FANUC control experience — ability to make edits, offset adjustments, and parameter changes at the control during prove-out
  • U.S. citizenship or permanent residency required — ITAR regulated environment

Strongly Preferred:

  • Experience programming horizontal boring mill or large-envelope multi-axis machines
  • Aerospace, defense, or heavy industrial precision manufacturing background
  • AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality system familiarity
  • Exposure to the quoting or estimating process — CAM-based cycle time development for cost models
  • Experience mentoring or training less experienced programmers

Why Acme

  • Competitive pay commensurate with your actual programming depth — not a standard rate everyone gets
  • Day 1 medical, dental, and vision — no waiting period
  • Weekly pay — not bi-weekly
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Company-paid life insurance and short and long-term disability
  • Paid vacation, sick time, and holidays
  • Gainsharing bonus — when Acme hits its numbers, you share in it
  • Tuition assistance — we invest in your continued development
  • Complex, interesting work — large aerospace and defense components, high-mix, different challenges every week
  • Engineering seat, not a floor seat — you're developing programs and strategy, not waiting for machine time
  • A team to grow with — you'll mentor our CNC Programmer I and help build the programming function as Acme scales