Senior Setter

Job Title:

Senior Setter

Industry: Precision Engineering / Manufacturing

Location:

Maitland

Employment Type:

Full-Time

Salary: R35 000 - 45 000 + Ben neg

Role Overview

Our client, a leader in precision engineering and high-volume mechanical manufacturing, is seeking an experienced Senior Setter to join their Second Operations team. This is a senior technical role suited to a highly skilled artisan with deep hands-on experience in toolmaking or precision machining environments.

The successful candidate will be responsible for setting and preparing production machinery, ensuring stable and repeatable manufacturing performance, maintaining tooling and equipment, and supporting operators to achieve quality, efficiency, and engineering targets.

Key Objectives

• Prepare, set, and program (where applicable) machinery for production readiness.
• Achieve first-time-right setups that ensure stable production and minimal scrap.
• Maintain adherence to engineering specifications, cycle times, and quality standards.
• Support and train operators to ensure correct procedures, IMDS checks, and standardised work practices.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications

• Grade 12 / Matric.
• Red Seal Toolmaker (essential).

Experience

• Minimum 20 years experience in toolmaking or precision machining (strong hands-on background required).
• Proven track record in a high-volume precision engineering manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to set up and troubleshoot machinery within production environments.
• Experience working with older mechanical gear cutting machines and understanding machine behaviour under load.
• Competence with milling machines, presses, pneumatic tooling, and hydraulic systems.
• Programming knowledge (advantageous) with strong machine-setting capability.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while delivering consistent, repeatable results.

Languages

• English and Afrikaans (spoken and written).

Key Responsibilities

1. Production Setup & Operation

• Receive production layouts and verify documentation accuracy before setup.
• Set and troubleshoot gear-cutting machinery and second-operation equipment.
• Perform machine setups according to component specifications and obtain first-off approval before batch runs.
• Minimise setup scrap and ensure non-conforming parts are clearly segregated.

2. Tooling, Equipment & Maintenance

• Manufacture, assemble, and maintain tooling, including fixtures, press tools, and purpose-built devices.
• Maintain and adjust mechanical equipment, requiring deep understanding of machine motion and load behaviour.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and corrective adjustments to stabilise process capability.
• Perform routine maintenance and escalate major issues promptly.
• Ensure tools and gear hob sets are correctly labelled, stored, and replenished when required.

3. Quality & Documentation

• Collect calibrated gauges as required and verify calibration validity.
• Interpret engineering drawings, manuals, and technical documentation.
• Submit first-off samples for inspection and implement feedback.
• Identify trends indicating deviations and implement corrective measures.
• Maintain high accuracy and attention to detail during production

4. Safety, Housekeeping & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain safe, hazard-free work areas and comply with safety procedures.
• Uphold strong housekeeping standards aligned with 5S principles.
• Participate in audits and improvement initiatives.
• Contribute ideas to improve tooling, setups, workflow, and cycle times.
• Train and mentor operators, transferring technical knowledge effectively.

5. Communication & Team Collaboration

• Provide clear updates to Team Leaders on production status and issues.
• Communicate setup results, deviations, and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with operators and support teams to maintain production efficiency.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Machines set within allocated engineering setup times.
• Compliance with engineering targets (cycle time, capability, stability).
• High first-off acceptance rates with minimal rework or scrap.
• Compliance with safety and housekeeping standards.
• Effective operator training and IMDS adherence.
• Proactive communication and timely escalation of issues.

Core Competencies & Attributes

• Strong mechanical intuition and diagnostic ability.
• Advanced problem-solving skills under pressure.
• Strong decision-making and results orientation.
• Excellent attention to detail and pride in workmanship.
• Ability to remain calm and effective in high-pressure environments.
• Mature, steady, and methodical work approach.
• Strong interpersonal and knowledge-transfer skills.