Full job descriptionExtrusion & Mould Setter Engineer
Location: Waterlooville, Hampshire
We’re working with a successful high-volume manufacturing business looking to appoint an experienced Extrusion & Mould Setter Engineer to join its manufacturing team.
This is a hands-on role focused on the setup, optimisation and continuous running of extrusion and injection moulding processes, with particular emphasis on pipe extrusion.
You’ll play a key role in keeping production lines running efficiently, minimising downtime and scrap, and ensuring consistent product quality across long production runs.
The Role
You will be responsible for:
*Setting, starting, adjusting and shutting down extrusion and injection moulding lines.
*Installing and aligning dies, tooling, calibrators, moulds and downstream equipment.
*Optimising temperatures, screw speeds, pressures, line speeds, cooling and calibration systems.
*Managing continuous pipe extrusion, maintaining diameter, wall thickness and ovality within specification.
*Setting vacuum calibration and cooling systems, haul-offs, cutters, coilers and stacking equipment.
*Carrying out first-off checks and accurately recording process parameters.
*Troubleshooting issues including dimensional variation, surface defects, ovality, melt fracture and material inconsistencies.
*Driving improvements in scrap, OEE, line speeds and process stability.
*Supporting preventative maintenance and working closely with Engineering and Toolroom teams.
*Managing material changes, purging and colour transitions.
*Supporting NPI trials, process development and root-cause investigations, including 8D.
*Maintaining high standards of health & safety and product quality.
About You
We’re looking for someone with:
*Proven experience setting and running plastic extrusion lines and injection moulding machines.
*Strong hands-on experience of pipe extrusion, including die and calibrator changes, sizing and downstream handling.
*A solid understanding of polymer behaviour, extrusion tooling and downstream equipment.
*Strong mechanical aptitude and confidence working with tooling and machinery.
*The ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications.
*Experience within a high-volume or continuous manufacturing environment.
*A practical, hands-on approach to troubleshooting and problem solving.
Desirable Experience
*Qualification in Polymer Processing, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
*Experience with calibration tanks, haul-offs, cutters, slitters and winders.
*Knowledge of Lean / Continuous Improvement, including 5S, SMED and OEE.
*Experience working within ISO 9001 environments.
*Forklift or overhead crane certification.
What Success Looks Like
You’ll be successful in the role by delivering:
*Stable, repeatable extrusion and moulding processes.
*Reduced scrap and downtime, with improved OEE and line performance.
*Fast and accurate setups and tooling changes.
*Consistent achievement of dimensional and quality standards.
*Proactive problem solving and preventative maintenance.
*Strong collaboration across Production, Quality and Engineering.
If you’re an experienced Extrusion Setter / Engineer who enjoys being hands-on, solving production problems and improving manufacturing performance, we’d like to hear from you.