Senior Setter

Engineering / Technical / Production / Manufacturing / Motor

South Africa - Western Cape , Cape Town - Central (Camps Bay - Maitland)

Our client is seeking a Senior Setter based in Cape Town, Western Cape within the Precision Mechanical Engineering / Manufacturing industry. This is a permanent position in a high-volume second operations environment, responsible for machine setup, programming, tooling maintenance, process stability, and first time right production in a precision manufacturing setting.

Cape Town, Western Cape

Qualifications:

• Grade 12 (Matric)
• Red Seal Toolmaker - Essential

Experience:

• 20+ years' experience in toolmaking or precision machining (strong hands on background essential)
• Experience in a high-volume precision mechanical engineering environment
• Proven experience in machine setting, troubleshooting, and production problem solving
• Experience working on older mechanical gear cutting machines with strong understanding of machine behaviour under load
• Competent in milling machines, presses, pneumatic tooling, and hydraulic tools
• Programming knowledge (where applicable) with strong machine setup capability
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and deliver consistent, repeatable output
• Ability to interpret technical manuals and adopt new systems and methods

Production Setup & Machine Operation

• Collect and verify component layouts and production documentation
• Set up and troubleshoot specialised gear cutting machinery and second operations equipment
• Ensure first off approval before batch production
• Minimise setup scrap and ensure proper segregation
• Achieve stable production aligned to engineering cycle time and capability targets

Tooling, Equipment & Maintenance

• Manufacture, assemble, and maintain single function tooling, press tools, milling fixtures, pneumatic tooling, and custom built tooling
• Maintain and adjust older mechanical equipment, applying strong mechanical diagnostic skills
• Perform root cause analysis and corrective adjustments to stabilise process capability
• Conduct basic maintenance and escape major breakdowns appropriately
• Ensure proper labelling, storage, and control of tools and Gear Hob sets

Quality Control & Gauging

• Collect gauges as per IMDS requirements and verify calibration status
• Read and interpret technical drawings, manuals, and machine documentation
• Submit first off samples for inspection and act on quality feedback
• Identify trends in out of spec components and implement remedial actions
• Maintain high accuracy and consistent attention to detail throughout production runs

Safety, Housekeeping & Continuous Improvement

• Uphold safe working practices and maintain hazard free work areas
• Maintain high 5S housekeeping standards
• Support continuous improvement in tooling, setups, changeovers, and workflow
• Contribute to standardisation and process optimisation
• Train and support operators, including structured knowledge transfer and IMDS checks

Communication & Collaboration

• Communicate proactively with the Team Leader and operators regarding production status and challenges
• Provide clear updates on setups, deviations, and corrective actions
• Support teamwork across production and engineering departments

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