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Metal Forming Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

We are looking for an experienced metal tooling engineer to provide a technical interface between our product design groups and our suppliers, and to drive development of extraordinary metal forming ...

... metal forming tooling and processes at our supply base. . Assist in the product design process ... through Design for Manufacturing (DFM) input, as well as direct our suppliers in the design and ...

In this role, you will set up, operate, and maintain advanced sheet metal cutting and forming equipment to produce components that meet rigorous aerospace-quality standards. This is a hands-on, high ...

In this role, you will set up, operate, and maintain advanced sheet metal cutting and forming equipment to produce components that meet rigorous aerospace-quality standards. This is a hands-on, high ...

In this role, you will set up, operate, and maintain advanced sheet metal cutting and forming equipment to produce components that meet rigorous aerospace-quality standards. This is a hands-on, high ...

We are looking for an experienced metal tooling engineer to provide a technical interface between our product design groups and our suppliers, and to drive development of extraordinary metal forming ...

... metal forming tooling and processes at our supply base. Description Assist in the product design ... process through Design for Manufacturing (DFM) input, as well as direct our suppliers in the design ...

By integrating advanced metal forming, robotics, and automated production inside a flexible factory architecture, we enable customers to move from prototype to production in weeks, not years. Backed ...

By integrating advanced metal forming, robotics, and automated production inside a flexible factory architecture, we enable customers to move from prototype to production in weeks, not years. Backed ...

Senior Studio Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$109K - $150K/yr

Research and propose appropriate materials, finishes, and manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, composite layup, metal forming, additive manufacturing). * Create and evaluate physical ...

Bellows Fabricator will assist with the successful fabrication of Bellows Forming Components and ... Polish and remove burrs from metal parts by using tools such as power disc sander, rotary files ...

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Metal Forming information

See California salary details

$13

$19

$24

How much do metal forming jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for metal forming in California is $19.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $20.87 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the most common challenges faced by metal forming operators and how can they be addressed?

Metal forming operators often encounter challenges such as maintaining precision under tight tolerances, handling repetitive tasks, and ensuring safety while working with heavy machinery. To address these, operators should regularly calibrate equipment, follow strict safety protocols, and participate in ongoing training to stay current with new technologies and best practices. Collaboration with maintenance teams and engineers is also essential for troubleshooting equipment issues and improving workflow efficiency.

What is metal forming?

Metal forming is a manufacturing process that involves shaping metal parts and objects through deformation, rather than removing material. This process uses mechanical forces, such as compression, bending, or stretching, to alter the shape of metal workpieces while maintaining their mass and volume. Common metal forming techniques include rolling, forging, extrusion, and stamping, which are widely used in industries like automotive, aerospace, and construction.

What is the difference between Metal Forming vs Metal Fabrication?

AspectMetal FormingMetal Fabrication
Primary ProcessesShaping metal through bending, rolling, forging, or extrusionCutting, assembling, welding, and finishing metal parts
Work EnvironmentFactories with heavy machinery, often involving large-scale equipmentWorkshops with cutting, welding, and assembly tools
CertificationsMachinery operation, safety, and sometimes specific forming process certificationsWelding certifications, safety training, and technical skills

Metal Forming involves shaping metal using processes like forging and extrusion, focusing on altering the metal's form without removing material. Metal Fabrication, on the other hand, includes cutting, welding, and assembling metal components to create finished products. Both roles require technical skills and safety certifications, but they differ in processes and work environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Metal Forming Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Metal Forming Technician, you need a solid understanding of metal properties, blueprint reading, and mechanical aptitude, often supported by a high school diploma or technical training. Familiarity with CNC machines, hydraulic presses, and safety certifications such as OSHA are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and teamwork help individuals excel in this hands-on environment. These skills and qualities ensure precise production, safe operations, and efficient workflow in metal fabrication settings.
What are popular job titles related to Metal Forming jobs in California? For Metal Forming jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Metal Forming job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,821 per year, or $19.1 per hour.
Manufacturing Engineer - Sheet Metal

Manufacturing Engineer - Sheet Metal

HIKINEX

Los Angeles, CA

Full-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

Location: The Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, CA (Onsite)

If you're interested in learning more about this opportunity or beginning the interview process, feel free to connect directly via LinkedIn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ra...

Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Sheet Metal Forming

An advanced aerospace and propulsion company is seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to help establish and scale internal sheet metal forming capabilities focused on high-performance turbine and propulsion hardware.

This role is ideal for someone who thrives in highly technical, fast-paced development environments and enjoys building manufacturing processes from the ground up. The position will focus heavily on advanced forming methods for thin-wall aerospace materials, including superalloys and other high-temperature metals used in demanding thermal and structural applications.

The ideal candidate combines deep process knowledge with strong practical engineering instincts around tooling, equipment selection, manufacturability, and prototype-to-production execution.

Responsibilities
  • Lead the development and scaling of advanced sheet metal manufacturing processes including forming, rolling, spinning, stamping, and deep drawing
  • Establish new in-house manufacturing capabilities from concept through production readiness
  • Design and refine tooling, fixtures, dies, and process workflows for complex aerospace-grade components
  • Collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, and test teams to improve manufacturability, quality, cost, and performance
  • Develop process parameters, validation methods, quality controls, and work instructions to ensure repeatable production outcomes
  • Integrate supporting operations such as heat treatment, laser cutting, welding, and finishing into complete manufacturing workflows
  • Drive rapid iteration and troubleshooting through hands-on experimentation, process optimization, and root-cause analysis
  • Support prototype builds, first-article development, and transition into scalable production environments
  • Evaluate equipment needs and help determine which processes should be internalized versus outsourced
Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or related field preferred
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in sheet metal manufacturing, forming, tooling, or process development
  • Strong experience with one or more of the following:
    • Metal spinning
    • Stamping
    • Rolling
    • Deep drawing
    • Press forming
    • Tooling or die design
  • Experience working with advanced aerospace materials such as Inconel, titanium, stainless steel, nickel alloys, or other high-temperature superalloys
  • Strong understanding of material behavior during forming operations including spring-back, thinning, tearing, wrinkling, and heat-affected distortion
  • Experience developing manufacturing processes from scratch, including tooling selection, process qualification, and production ramp
  • CAD/CAM proficiency using tools such as NX, SolidWorks, CATIA, Fusion 360, or similar platforms
  • Ability to work onsite in a highly collaborative engineering and manufacturing environment
Preferred Experience
  • Aerospace, propulsion, gas turbine, turbomachinery, or high-performance thermal system manufacturing experience
  • Experience with combustors, exhaust systems, hot-section hardware, or thin-wall formed assemblies
  • Knowledge of thermal processing operations including annealing, stress relief, and solution heat treatment
  • Familiarity with aerospace quality standards, first-article inspection, and production qualification processes
  • Experience working in startup, skunkworks, R&D, or rapid-development manufacturing environments
  • Exposure to ERP, MES, or PLM systems such as Teamcenter, Odoo, or similar tools
  • Hands-on experience selecting manufacturing equipment, designing tooling strategies, or scaling new fabrication capabilities
What Makes This Opportunity Unique

This is not a traditional production support role. The company is building a critical internal manufacturing capability and is looking for someone who can take ownership of the process end-to-end.

You'll have the opportunity to influence equipment selection, tooling strategy, manufacturing workflows, and long-term production scalability while working closely with a highly technical engineering team developing advanced propulsion hardware.

The environment is highly hands-on, collaborative, and focused on rapid iteration and technical problem-solving.

Additional Information
  • Competitive compensation and equity package
  • Comprehensive healthcare coverage
  • PTO flexibility
  • Relocation assistance may be available
  • Due to export control requirements, candidates must qualify as U.S. persons

Location: The Greater Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, CA (Onsite)

To learn more or express interest, connect directly via LinkedIn:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ra...

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Hikinex logo

About Hikinex

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Hikinex is a multi-channel integrated service provider designed to help Companies scale fast and drive more profit. We leverage diverse resources to provide Superior services at a fraction of the cost.

Industry

Strategic planning consulting services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

2016

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