About the Role
The Setup Technician will independently complete full mold and tooling installations, production line changeovers, machine startups, process adjustments, and troubleshooting. The ideal candidate will have direct experience setting up thin-gauge, roll-fed thermoforming equipment using PET, APET, and/or rPET.
Key Activities
Independently perform complete mold and tooling installations and production line changeovers.
Align, position, and clamp molds to ensure proper operation and product quality.
Set up and adjust plug assist systems, trim tooling, trim presses, rails, chains, and web paths.
Complete machine startups from a cold start through first-good-piece approval and stable production.
Set and adjust heater zones, machine timing, vacuum and air settings, and forming parameters following changeovers.
Monitor equipment during startup and make necessary process adjustments to achieve consistent product quality.
Diagnose and resolve setup-related issues, including material sag, web tracking problems, heating inconsistencies, and servo/drive faults.
Read and utilize setup sheets and technical documentation to establish proper machine parameters.
Identify opportunities to reduce changeover time, setup downtime, and production scrap.
Work closely with production and maintenance teams to resolve equipment and process issues.
Maintain a safe and organized work environment while following all company safety procedures.
Preferred Skills
Experience in a high-volume plastics or thermoforming manufacturing environment.
Experience reducing changeover times and material scrap.
Familiarity with automated thermoforming equipment and servo-driven systems.
Experience with preventive maintenance and basic mechanical/electrical troubleshooting.
Education and Experience
Previous hands-on experience as a Thermoforming Setup Technician, Process Technician, Machine Setup Technician, or similar manufacturing role.
Demonstrated ability to independently perform a complete mold and trim-tool changeover.
Experience with thin-gauge, roll-fed thermoforming.
Experience processing PET, APET, and/or rPET materials.
Strong understanding of thermoforming processes, tooling, heating, vacuum/air systems, forming parameters, and web handling.
About Us
Finding a great opportunity that fosters growth, a great culture, and leadership opportunities can be difficult. Top Quality Recruitment (TQR) connects professionals with leadership opportunities across the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Medical Devices, and Biotechnology industries. With 50+ years of experience, we believe in one-to-one communication and finding the best candidate/employer match possible.
TQR is an equal-opportunity employer that encourages diversity. We will consider all applications.
Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request.
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