Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Grinder

🎯 Role Definition

A Grinder is a skilled manufacturing technician responsible for precision grinding operations on components and assemblies using manual and CNC grinding machines (surface, cylindrical, centerless, and specialty grinders). The role focuses on achieving tight dimensional and surface finish tolerances by setting up equipment, selecting and dressing grinding wheels, performing in-process and final inspections using micrometers/calipers/gage blocks, and ensuring parts meet engineering drawings and quality standards. The Grinder works closely with production, quality, and maintenance teams to optimize throughput, reduce scrap, and implement continuous improvement initiatives in a safe, clean, and compliant shop environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Machine Operator or Production Technician with basic grinding exposure
Machinist Apprentice or Trade School Graduate (Machining/Tool & Die)
Quality Inspector or Tool Room Assistant transitioning into grinding

Advancement To:

Senior Grinder / Lead Grinder
CNC Grinder Programmer / Operator
Tool & Die Maker or Precision Machinist
Production Supervisor or Manufacturing Team Lead
Process Engineer / Grinding Process Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Quality Technician / Inspector (Metrology)
Maintenance Technician (Machine Repair)
CNC Machining Operator / Setup Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Set up, operate, and monitor surface, cylindrical, centerless, and CNC grinding machines to produce precision parts to specified tolerances, finishes, and surface geometry according to engineering drawings and work orders.
Read, interpret, and apply engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), and work instructions to ensure parts meet dimensional and form requirements.
Perform machine setup including wheel selection, wheel balancing, dressing, coolant selection, and fixture/clamp setup to optimize part quality and cycle time.
Program or edit CNC grinding offsets, feeds, and speeds (Fanuc, Siemens, or machine-specific controls) and verify program results with test parts and simulations where applicable.
Perform in-process inspections using precision measurement tools such as micrometers, calipers, height gauges, bore gauges, dial indicators, and optical comparators to verify dimensions and quality.
Execute first-article inspections and document measurement results, non-conformances, and corrective actions in quality systems or shop travelers.
Maintain and tune grinding wheels (dressing, truing, balancing) to maintain part accuracy, surface finish, and wheel life, and replace wheels when worn or damaged.
Conduct quick-changeover and setup reduction activities to minimize downtime and increase shop throughput while maintaining quality standards.
Troubleshoot grinding-related issues such as chatter, burn, wheel loading, and thermal growth, applying root cause analysis to recommend permanent fixes.
Follow SOPs, safety procedures, lockout/tagout (LOTO) protocols, and PPE requirements to maintain a safe work environment around rotating machinery and abrasive wheels.
Record production data, scrap rates, cycle times, and machine performance metrics to support continuous improvement and production planning.
Perform preventive maintenance tasks on grinders, coolant systems, and fixtures, and escalate mechanical/electrical issues to maintenance or engineers when required.
Apply statistical process control (SPC) and basic shop math to monitor process capability, identify trends, and support quality improvement projects.
Collaborate with quality engineers, manufacturing engineers, and supervisors to implement corrective actions for out-of-spec conditions and to optimize fixturing and process parameters.
Fabricate and modify simple fixtures and work-holding devices to support production runs and special jobs, ensuring secure and repeatable part clamping.
Ensure proper handling, storage, and disposal of grinding wheels, abrasives, and coolants following environmental and regulatory guidelines.
Train and mentor junior grinders and new hires on machine setup, safe work practices, measurement techniques, and company quality expectations.
Participate in continuous improvement and lean manufacturing initiatives (5S, Kaizen, SMED) focused on waste reduction, productivity, and safety in grinding operations.
Perform deburring, cleaning, and finishing operations as required to meet surface finish specifications or customer cosmetic requirements.
Support production scheduling by prioritizing jobs, staging materials, and communicating status to supervisors and planners to meet delivery commitments.
Document nonconforming material, complete corrective action reports, and support containment efforts during quality investigations and supplier nonconformance events.
Assist in shop floor audits and internal/external quality audits by preparing documentation, demonstrating process controls, and implementing audit findings.
Maintain accurate tooling and wheel inventory, request replacements, and coordinate vendor parts or abrasive purchases when specialized materials are needed.

Secondary Functions

Assist with engineering change implementations by updating setup sheets, tooling lists, and standard operating procedures for grinding processes.
Support cross-training programs across machining centers to increase operational flexibility and reduce single-point dependencies.
Provide feedback to purchasing and suppliers on abrasive performance, tooling life, and recommended product changes to lower cost and improve quality.
Help develop work instructions, visual aids, and inspection checklists to standardize procedures and improve first-pass yield.
Participate in continuous improvement teams to pilot new grinding techniques, automation options, or measurement technologies to drive long-term process gains.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient operation of manual and CNC grinders: surface grinders, cylindrical grinders, centerless grinders, and OD/ID grinding machines.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, GD&T, and geometric tolerancing symbols.
Skilled in precision measurement using micrometers (outside and inside), calipers, height gauges, bore gauges, dial indicators, and optical comparators.
Experience with wheel dressing, truing, balancing, and selection of abrasive types and grit sizes to meet finish and material requirements.
Familiarity with CNC control operations (Fanuc, Siemens, Haas or proprietary machine controls) and basic G-code understanding or conversational CNC.
Knowledge of grinding-specific metallurgy effects (heat generation, burn, work hardening) and techniques to prevent thermal damage.
Competent in SPC, basic statistics, and process capability monitoring (Cp/Cpk) to control manufacturing variation.
Proficient in shop math: tolerancing calculations, surface finish conversions, measurements, and unit conversions.
Preventive maintenance skills for grinders and support equipment: coolant maintenance, bearing checks, lubrication, and belt/pulley inspections.
Experience with quality systems and documentation: first article inspection (FAI), control plans, nonconformance reporting, and corrective action procedures.
Basic fixture design and the ability to fabricate or modify simple jigs and work-holding using hand tools or bench machinery.
Knowledge of safety standards for abrasive wheels, OSHA requirements, LOTO, and machine guarding best practices.
Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems for recording production data and work order completion (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or shop-floor systems).

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail with a demonstrated commitment to producing high-precision components consistently.
Problem-solving and root-cause analysis capabilities to diagnose process issues and drive corrective actions.
Good communication skills to interact with engineers, quality inspectors, maintenance staff, and production supervisors.
Time management and organizational skills to prioritize work, meet deadlines, and manage multiple setups efficiently.
Team-oriented mindset with experience mentoring or training junior operators and contributing to cross-functional teams.
Adaptability to learn new machines, controls, and process changes rapidly in a dynamic production environment.
Continuous improvement mentality with the ability to identify waste, propose improvements, and support implementation.
Dependability and strong work ethic, including punctuality, adherence to schedules, and willingness to work required shifts.
Observational vigilance for safety hazards and adherence to PPE and housekeeping standards.
Customer-focused orientation for maintaining quality expectations and responding to inspection feedback or rework needs.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; vocational training or certificate in machining, industrial technology, or related trade preferred.

Preferred Education:

Associate degree or technical diploma in Machining Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Tool & Die, or Mechanical Engineering Technology.
CNC/grinder-specific coursework or manufacturer certification (e.g., Norton, 3M abrasive training) considered a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Machining Technology / CNC Machining
Manufacturing Technology / Industrial Maintenance
Tool & Die / Precision Machining
Mechanical Engineering Technology
Industrial Technology / Apprenticeship Programs

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–7 years of hands-on grinding or precision machining experience, depending on production complexity and tolerance requirements.

Preferred: 3+ years operating surface and cylindrical grinders (manual and CNC), demonstrated experience with GD&T, precision metrology, setup reduction, and continuous improvement projects. Prior experience in regulated industries (aerospace, medical device, automotive) or high-precision manufacturing is highly desirable.

Certifications such as OSHA 10/30, CNC operator training, or manufacturer-specific grinder training are advantageous.