Setup Technician - Traverse City Area

Setup Technician | Traverse City, MI

Salary Range: $47,000 - $72,000 depending on experience

Are you a detail-oriented professional with a passion for machine setup and ensuring efficient production changeovers? The Pivot Group Network, a Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career advancement. We collaborate with leading companies in the Traverse City area seeking experienced Setup Technicians.

We are building our network of talent in this field across Michigan's manufacturing regions. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

This posting covers Setup Technician opportunities with manufacturers based in and around Traverse City in Grand Traverse County, within about 45 minutes of the city, including Elk Rapids, Kalkaska, Suttons Bay, and Empire.

The Opportunity

We partner with manufacturers across the Traverse City area seeking Setup Technicians who want more than a lateral move. These companies hire intentionally, and we connect them with professionals ready for roles that fit.

Usual Responsibilities

• Record setup parameters and update setup sheets.
• Coordinate with operators and supervisors on changeovers.
• Follow safety rules and keep the work area clean.
• Set up and adjust production machines before each production run.
• Install and align tooling, dies, molds, and fixtures.
• Run first article inspections and confirm parts meet specifications.
• Troubleshoot setup and machine issues during production.
• Perform minor maintenance and replace worn parts.

Recommended Qualifications

• Experience setting up manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to read blueprints and work instructions.
• Skill with calipers, micrometers, and gauges.
• Basic mechanical troubleshooting ability.
• Willingness to work shifts and overtime.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Bonus Qualifications

• Forklift or overhead crane certification.
• Lean manufacturing or 5S experience.
• Welding or fabrication skills.
• Technical certificate or vocational training.
• Experience with CNC or automated equipment.

Job Titles That Should Apply

CNC Setup Operator, Die Setter, Tooling Technician, Manufacturing Technician, Production Setup Mechanic, Press Operator, Mold Setter, Equipment Technician, Machine Setup Operator

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future visa sponsorship. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Why The Pivot Group Network

The Pivot Group Network was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic - they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory. Learn more at https://www.thepivotgroup.org.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out at https://www.thepivotgroup.org. The Pivot Group Network offers resources to support your search - market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.