What Is a Header Operator and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

A header operator is a metalworking professional that operates a cold heading machine. Heading is a process that includes forging, extruding and upsetting in one, allowing you to expedite the production of products like bolts, screws, and lug nuts. Your duties as a header operator include loading the materials into the machine and conducting the proper ratioing process, ensuring that the final product is not victim to buckling. Diameter ratio is generally consistent at 3:1, but you must be able to adapt to different situations, changing the ratio when necessary. Header operator is a more advanced position that requires machinery skills. While there are no post-secondary academic qualifications, it’s essential to have several years of metalworking experience before transitioning to a header operator career.

The qualifications that you need to become a header operator include a high school diploma and the skills to use a cold header machine. You load materials into the header, so you need the physical ability to lift heavy objects. You also need fundamental math skills to calculate the amount and ratio of raw metals for each production run. You do not need a college education to perform the duties of a header operator, but you do need metalworking or manufacturing experience. You learn to handle the responsibilities of this job through job training or by working as an assistant.