Stainless Steel Tube Mill Operator

Job Description & Application Details

Location: Infinity Industrial Park, Nairobi, Kenya

Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

Shift: Day / Rotating

Reports to: Production Manager

Min. Experience: 3 years (hands-on tube mill operation)

Salary Range: KES 70,000 – 95,000 per month (gross)

Application Email: careers@pelicansteel.africa

Pelican Metal Craft Ltd is a leading stainless steel trading and manufacturing company with operations across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Our Manufacturing Division produces high-quality TIG-welded stainless steel tubes used across sanitary, food processing, pharmaceutical, and structural applications.

We are looking for a skilled, detail-oriented Tube Mill Operator to join our production team at Infinity Industrial Park. The successful candidate will have a minimum of three years' hands-on tube mill experience and a strong commitment to quality, efficiency, and safety.

1.  Mill Setup & Operation

–     Thread and feed SS201/SS304 coils through the accumulator, forming stands, weld box, and sizing sections

–     Precisely adjust forming and squeeze rolls to compensate for grade-specific yield strengths and spring-back characteristics

–     Monitor and optimise the primary power source for stable arc voltage and amperage at target line speeds

–     Manage water-cooling systems to ensure continuous, safe operation without overheating

2.  Weld Quality & Gas Management

–     Prepare, grind, and install 2% Lanthanated tungsten electrodes to precise angles and truncation for optimal arc constriction

–     Regulate shielding gas mixtures (pure Argon, Ar/H₂, Ar/He) via rotameters, ensuring correct flow rates to prevent porosity and root oxidation

–     Apply and manage A-TIG fluxes for high-penetration production runs as required

–     Conduct hourly QA checks: visual bead inspection, dye penetrant testing (PT), and mechanical crush/bend tests

3.  Mechanical Scarfing & Tool Maintenance

–     Set up and calibrate mechanical OD scarfing stands to cleanly shave weld beads flush with tube surfaces

–     Monitor tungsten-carbide scarfing inserts for wear; rotate or replace to prevent chatter marks or secondary burrs

–     Execute daily preventative maintenance: grease universal joints, check gearbox oil levels, clear metal swarf, and maintain 5S standards

4.  Production Tracking & Team Leadership

–     Log shift metrics: total metres run, average line speed (m/min), scrap %, and downtime causes

–     Identify bottlenecks and partner with engineering to execute speed-optimisation trials

–     Train and mentor junior floor staff on best practices, safety protocols, and quality standards

–     Ensure strict compliance with Kenyan Occupational Health and Safety regulations (OSHA 2007)

Essential

–     Minimum 3 years' hands-on experience operating a TIG-welded stainless steel tube mill

–     Practical knowledge of SS201 and SS304 material properties and forming behaviour

–     Proficiency in TIG welding parameters: pulsed waveform, amperage, and arc gap control

–     Experience with OD scarfing setup and tungsten-carbide insert management

–     Ability to perform dye penetrant (PT) and mechanical crush/bend testing

–     Familiarity with shielding gas systems and rotameter calibration

Preferred / Added Advantage

–     Certificate or Diploma in Mechanical/Production Engineering or related field

–     Experience with A-TIG flux application

–     Knowledge of 5S and lean manufacturing principles

–     Prior experience operating at line speeds above 25 m/min

–     Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and mill setup sheets

–     Basic computer literacy for shift log entry

–     Competitive salary: KES 70,000 – 95,000 per month (gross), commensurate with experience

–     NHIF & NSSF statutory contributions

–     Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided

–     Skills growth in a modern, well-equipped tube mill environment

–     Stable, long-term employment with a reputable regional manufacturer

–     Annual performance review and career progression pathways

Submit your CV and a brief cover letter

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates who do not meet the minimum 3-year experience requirement need not apply.