SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Braze Operator
  • Certified Welder
  • Fabricator
  • Finishing Technician (Finishing Tech)
  • Laser Operator
  • Machine Operator
  • Mig Welder
  • Spot Welder
Take the free assessment Compare salaries

What do Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders do?

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders are skilled professionals who work in the manufacturing and construction industries, operating and controlling machines and equipment to join metal components together. Their primary responsibility is to set up, operate, and tend machines that weld, solder, or braze metal parts to fabricate products or to prepare for assembly. These workers must understand various welding techniques, materials, and specifications to ensure the quality and strength of the joints they create. They may work with a variety of welding processes, including arc welding, resistance welding, and laser welding, and they often interpret blueprints and technical drawings to determine the appropriate methods and requirements for each task. Attention to detail, precision, and a strong understanding of safety protocols are critical in this role, as they deal with high temperatures and potentially hazardous materials. Overall, their expertise ensures that metal structures and components are fabricated to meet specific standards and durability requirements.

What the work actually is

  • Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
  • Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
  • Record operational information on specified production reports.
  • Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
  • Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Operations Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Abilities

  • Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Visualization The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Knowledge

  • Production and Processing Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Design Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

✨ JobCopilot - Smart Job Matching

Find jobs that match your skills with AI-powered search

Search Jobs Now

How people get into it

Education of new hires

Post-secondary certificate Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
High school diploma or equivalent or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Less than high school diploma

A normal week

  • Controlling Machines and Processes
  • Getting Information
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Operating system software Linux · Microsoft operating system · Microsoft Windows
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Electronic mail software Email software · Microsoft Outlook
  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software SAP software

Tools

  • Spot welding machine Portable welding machines · Resistance welding guns · Resistance welding machines
  • Calipers Dial calipers · Outside micrometer calipers · Undercut gauges
  • Welding robots Brazing robots · Soldering robots
  • Welding or brazing tip cleaner file Welding tip cleaning files
  • Welding electrode Welding electrodes

Who it suits

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

🚀 Find Your Dream Job with JobCopilot

AI-powered job search that matches you with opportunities tailored to your skills and career goals.

Start Job Search

Does this career fit you?

A free assessment matches your answers to careers, and shows the salary that goes with each one.

Start free

Questions people ask

How much do Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn in South Africa?

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders do?

Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications, Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices and Record operational information on specified production reports.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.