Layout Technician – Sheet Metal Forming

Layout Technician – Sheet Metal Forming

Location: Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania
Employment Type: Full-time

About Commercial Stainless

Commercial Stainless is an established custom manufacturer serving the commercial foodservice industry throughout the United States. We design, manufacture, and install custom stainless-steel equipment, serving counters, architectural millwork, and solid-surface products.

Our highly customized work requires craftsmanship, problem-solving, accuracy, and close coordination among drafting, layout, fabrication, polishing, assembly, and installation. We value quality, accountability, teamwork, continuous improvement, and doing the job right.

Position Summary

Commercial Stainless is seeking a dependable and detail-oriented Layout Technician – Sheet Metal Forming to join our stainless-steel fabrication operation.

The Layout Technician – Sheet Metal Forming is responsible for shearing, bending, and forming stainless-steel components according to shop drawings and production requirements. This individual will operate press brakes, shears, and related equipment to prepare accurate parts for welding, assembly, and finishing.

This is a precision manufacturing position. Correct measurements, bend locations, angles, dimensions, and material handling are essential to the quality and efficiency of every downstream production step.

The ideal candidate is mechanically inclined, comfortable with detailed measurements, and able to visualize how flat metal components must be formed into finished parts. Previous sheet-metal or press-brake experience is preferred, but candidates with strong mechanical and mathematical aptitude may also be considered.

Primary Responsibilities

The Layout Technician – Sheet Metal Forming will:

• Read and interpret shop drawings, dimensions, bend details, and production instructions.
• Review parts and drawings to determine the proper order of shearing, bending, and forming operations.
• Verify material type, thickness, finish, grain direction, dimensions, and condition before beginning work.
• Set up and operate press brakes, power shears, and other sheet-metal forming equipment.
• Shear stainless-steel sheets and components to the required dimensions.
• Bend and form stainless-steel parts to specified angles, radiuses, and finished dimensions.
• Select and install the appropriate tooling for each forming operation.
• Calculate or verify bend allowances, setbacks, and formed dimensions.
• Perform test bends and make machine adjustments when necessary.
• Inspect completed parts using tape measures, squares, calipers, angle gauges, and other measuring tools.
• Confirm that components meet drawing requirements before releasing them to fabrication.
• Label, organize, and route completed parts to the appropriate welding or assembly area.
• Handle stainless steel carefully to prevent scratches, dents, contamination, or other damage.
• Identify drawing conflicts, incorrect parts, material issues, or forming concerns before additional work is completed.
• Communicate questions, equipment problems, material shortages, and production delays promptly.
• Record completed work and other required information in the company’s ERP or production systems.
• Perform routine equipment inspections, cleaning, and basic preventive maintenance.
• Maintain an organized work area and properly care for tooling and equipment.
• Follow all safety procedures and wear required personal protective equipment.
• Assist with other layout and production responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications

• Previous experience operating press brakes, shears, or other sheet-metal equipment is preferred.
• Experience with stainless steel, custom metal fabrication, machining, welding, or a related trade is helpful.
• Ability to read shop drawings, bend details, dimensions, and production documents.
• Ability to read a tape measure accurately and work confidently with fractions, decimals, and angles.
• Strong mechanical, mathematical, and spatial aptitude.
• Ability to visualize how flat components will bend and fit into completed assemblies.
• Experience selecting press-brake tooling and calculating bend allowances is strongly valued.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to manage priorities and complete work within expected production times.
• Dependable attendance and consistent punctuality.
• Ability to work independently after training while remaining part of a team.
• Willingness to ask questions, accept feedback, and learn new equipment and processes.
• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.

The Person We Are Looking For

A successful Layout Technician – Sheet Metal Forming will:

• Understand how forming accuracy affects welding, assembly, appearance, and project schedules.
• Check drawings, materials, tooling, and dimensions before operating equipment.
• Think through the sequence of bends before forming a part.
• Identify potential problems before material is wasted or downstream work is affected.
• Work with an appropriate sense of urgency without sacrificing quality or safety.
• Take ownership of mistakes and help determine how to prevent them in the future.
• Handle finished stainless steel carefully and take pride in the quality of completed parts.
• Communicate clearly with drafting, waterjet, fabrication, and production leadership.
• Care for company equipment, tooling, materials, and work areas.
• Look for ways to improve setup time, accuracy, material utilization, and productivity.

Physical and Work Requirements

• Ability to stand and work on a manufacturing floor for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, reach, climb, and move around sheets of material and production equipment.
• Ability to lift and position materials safely, with assistance or material-handling equipment when appropriate.
• Ability to work around machinery, moving equipment, sharp metal edges, noise, and normal manufacturing conditions.
• Ability to wear safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, safety footwear, and other required personal protective equipment.

Training and Future Opportunity

The Layout Technician – Sheet Metal Forming will receive training based on previous experience and assigned responsibilities. Employees who demonstrate reliability, accuracy, productivity, sound judgment, and technical ability may receive opportunities to develop advanced skills in CNC press-brake operation, complex forming, equipment programming, quality control, or other areas of stainless-steel fabrication.

Commercial Stainless provides greater responsibility to employees who earn it through performance. For the right person, this position can lead to advanced technical responsibilities, cross-training, lead-person assignments, or future supervisory opportunities.

Commercial Stainless is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, performance, and business needs without regard to legally protected characteristics.