Metal Forming Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Sheet Metal Mechanic - Career Opportunity - Immediately Hiring (Aerospace Industry)

Job Description

This role focuses on precision sheet metal fabrication, including bending, rolling, shearing, punching, and forming to tight tolerances. You will autonomously set up and operate a variety of metalworking machines, use precision measurement tools to verify dimensional accuracy, and fabricate parts according to engineering drawings and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Operate rollers and other equipment to perform sheet metal bending and rolling to tight tolerances of approximately 0.030 inches.
• Autonomously set up machines and equipment for sheet metal fabrication, including multiple setups per day as production needs change.
• Fabricate parts to dimensional tolerances as required by engineering drawings, ensuring accuracy and consistency across production runs.
• Set up and run equipment such as shears, CNC turret punch presses, punch presses, press brakes, power rollers, resistance seam welders, expanders, and assembly tools.
• Form bellows and perform deburring operations to meet final product quality standards.
• Perform shearing, punching, and forming operations from start to finish, verifying material gauge, type, and dimensions throughout the process.
• Use precision measurement instruments, including height gauges, calipers, combo squares, and other gauges, to check and confirm part dimensions.
• Figure shear size and flat pattern layout from engineering drawings using height gauges and other precision instruments.
• Check all operations from initial material selection through final forming to ensure compliance with dimensional and quality requirements.
• Work independently and collaboratively with others to develop guidelines and best practices for the production of sheet metal assemblies.
• Be willing to work at assigned jobs both within and outside the sheet metal department as production needs require.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience in sheet metal fabrication, including bending, rolling, shearing, punching, and forming.
• Ability to operate and set up CNC press brakes and related sheet metal forming equipment.
• Proficiency in sheet metal bending and sheet metal rolling processes.
• Experience with planishing, roll forming, and bump forming techniques.
• Strong ability to use precision measurement tools such as calipers, combo squares, height gauges, and other gauges.
• Capability to set up and run shears, CNC turret punch presses, punch presses, press brakes, power rollers, resistance seam welders, expanders, and deburring tools.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and translate them into accurate flat pattern layouts and shear sizes.
• Attention to detail in maintaining tight dimensional tolerances and verifying material gauge and type.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a production environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with brake press equipment from manufacturers such as Durma, Wysong, Amada, and Cincinnati.
• Familiarity with roll welding and spot welding processes.
• Experience forming bellows and working on sheet metal assemblies.
• Comfort with repetitive production work, including making parts in batches of 20–30 pieces.
• Flexibility to work on assignments outside the sheet metal department as needed.

Why Work Here?

• You join a team that values precision craftsmanship, collaboration, and continuous improvement in a well-organized production environment. The role offers steady, structured hours, opportunities to work with a wide range of modern fabrication equipment, and the chance to broaden your skills across multiple processes and departments. You can take pride in producing high-quality, engineered components while contributing to clear production guidelines and best practices.

Work Environment

• This is a first-shift position with typical hours from 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Work takes place in a production shop environment focused on sheet metal fabrication, where you will regularly use equipment such as shears, CNC turret punch presses, punch presses, press brakes, power rollers, resistance seam welders, expanders, and deburring tools. Jobs can be repetitive, often involving batches of 20–30 pieces and approximately two to three different setups per day, depending on workload. You will work with engineering drawings, precision measurement instruments, and a variety of sheet metal materials, collaborating with others while also performing tasks independently. Attire is typical for a fabrication shop, suitable for working around machinery and metal materials.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of El Cajon, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $35.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in El Cajon,CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 17, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.