An established, high-volume precision mechanical engineering company based in Maitland, Cape Town, is seeking a Senior Setter / Toolmaker with deep hands-on experience in mechanical setups and gear cutting machinery.
This role is ideal for a mature, steady artisan who takes pride in first-time-right setups, stable production, and passing knowledge on to the next generation.
Minimum Requirements
• Trade Tested Toolmaker (Red Seal) OR Trade Tested Fitter & Turner with extensive progressive die experience
• Minimum 6 to 10 years’ experience in progressive press setup
• Strong expertise in die alignment, fault finding, and process optimisation
• Proven ability to mentor and guide junior setters and operators
• Solid understanding of ISO quality standards and compliance requirements
• Advanced knowledge of hydraulic and mechanical press systems
• Experience in a high-volume precision manufacturing environment
• Supervisory or leadership experience advantageous
• Programming knowledge (where applicable)
• Fluent in English or Afrikaans
SA Citizens only
Must be Criminal Clear
Must reside in the Greater Cape Town area
Role Objective
You will be responsible for setting and programming machinery (where applicable) in preparation for production within the Second Operations section.
The focus is on:
• First-time-right setups
• Stable, repeatable production
• Adherence to engineering targets and quality specifications
• Training and supporting operators
Key Responsibilities
Production Setup & Operation
• Interpret layouts and verify documentation
• Set and troubleshoot specialized gear cutting machinery
• Ensure first-off approval before full production
• Minimise setup scrap and ensure proper segregation
Tooling & Equipment
• Manufacture and maintain single-function tooling
• Maintain and adjust older mechanical equipment
• Conduct root cause analysis and corrective adjustments
• Perform basic maintenance and escalate where required
• Ensure all tools and Gear Hob sets are labelled and stored correctly
Quality & Compliance
• Collect and manage gauges as per IMDS requirements
• Interpret manuals and machine documentation accurately
• Submit first-offs and implement corrective actions
• Identify and resolve out-of-spec trends
• Maintain consistent quality throughout production runs
Safety & Continuous Improvement
• Uphold safe working practices
• Maintain high 5S housekeeping standards
• Contribute to improved setups, cycle times, and workflow
• Train and mentor less experienced operators
Key Performance Areas
• Machines set within allocated engineering times
• Conformance to cycle time, stability, and capability targets
• High first-off acceptance rates
• Low scrap and rework
• Active safety and housekeeping participation
• Structured operator training and IMDS compliance
The Ideal Candidate
• Mature, steady and focused
• Strong pride in workmanship
• Patient and detail-oriented
• Excellent mechanical intuition and diagnostic ability
• Comfortable working independently with minimal supervision
• Committed to quality and process stability
This is a role for a highly skilled artisan who values craftsmanship, consistency and leaving a legacy in a precision manufacturing environment.
