Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Machinist

🎯 Role Definition

A Machinist is a skilled tradesperson responsible for setting up, operating, programming and maintaining machine tools (CNC mills, lathes, grinders and other precision equipment) to produce high-precision metal and plastic components to engineering specifications. The role requires advanced blueprint reading and GD&T interpretation, hands-on tooling selection and setup, process troubleshooting, in-process inspection, and continual optimization of machining processes to meet quality, safety, and production targets. This description covers CNC and manual machining responsibilities and is suitable for manufacturing environments including aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and general industrial production.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Machine Operator or CNC Operator
Apprenticeship or Trade School Graduate (Machining Technology)
Maintenance Technician with machining exposure

Advancement To:

Senior Machinist / Master Machinist
CNC Programmer / Process Engineer
Production Supervisor or Manufacturing Manager
Tooling Engineer or Quality Engineer

Lateral Moves:

Fixture & Tooling Designer
CAM Programmer (Mastercam, Fusion360)
Quality Inspector / Metrologist (CMM operator)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Read, interpret and apply engineering drawings, blueprints, technical specifications and GD&T callouts to develop machining strategies, select correct tooling and produce parts within specified tolerances and surface finish requirements.
Set up, align and operate CNC mills and lathes (2–5 axis) and manual machine tools; perform dynamic tool offsets, probe setups, and fixture alignments to ensure first-run accuracy and minimize scrap rates.
Program and edit CNC code on the machine and offline (G-code, M-code) using Fanuc, Haas, Siemens or other control systems; translate CAD models and engineering drawings into efficient, safe machining sequences.
Create, optimize, and validate CAM programs using Mastercam, Fusion 360 or equivalent CAM software; simulate toolpaths and adjust feeds, speeds and depths of cut for cycle time and tool life optimization.
Perform first article inspections (FAI) and in-process inspections using precision metrology equipment (micrometers, calipers, height gauges, bore gauges) and document results to ensure conformance to specifications.
Set up and operate measuring equipment and coordinate with quality team for CMM programming and measurement when required; interpret inspection reports and implement corrective actions.
Select, install and maintain cutting tools, inserts, coolant systems, collets and workholding devices; track tooling life, manage regrinds and recommend tooling improvements to reduce cost-per-part.
Troubleshoot machining issues including chatter, tool breakage, surface finish defects and dimensional drift; analyze root causes and implement process changes to restore part quality and throughput.
Perform preventive maintenance and routine checks on machines including lubrication, belt/drive checks, coolant filtration and spindle health inspections; log maintenance activities per schedule.
Implement and document setup sheets, standard operating procedures (SOPs), tooling lists and fixture drawings to support repeatable setups and cross-training of shop personnel.
Operate secondary processes such as deburring, tapping, reaming, threading, honing or surface grinding to meet part specifications and finish requirements.
Adjust programs and machine offsets during production runs to compensate for tool wear, thermal growth and material inconsistencies while maintaining traceability of edits.
Collaborate with engineering and production planners to perform capability studies (Cp/Cpk), process capability improvements and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) recommendations to lower costs and improve manufacturability.
Support process qualification and production ramp-up activities by developing production recipes, cycle time studies, and process control plans for new parts and assemblies.
Maintain accurate production documentation including traveler cards, production logs, scrap reports, and quality records in ERP/MES systems (e.g., SAP, Epicor, IQMS).
Train, mentor and provide on-the-job coaching to apprentices, junior machinists and operators on safe machine operation, setup techniques and inspection best practices.
Adhere strictly to company safety policies, OSHA regulations and PPE requirements; identify and remove hazards, report near-misses and participate in safety and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.
Participate in continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing activities (5S, Kaizen events, SMED) to reduce setup times, minimize waste and improve shop flow.
Support work order estimation and planning by providing accurate setup time, cycle time and tooling consumption data to manufacturing engineering and estimating teams.
Coordinate with suppliers for special tooling, inserts and fixtures; evaluate vendor recommendations and qualify tooling solutions that increase throughput or reduce costs.
Conduct root-cause analysis for non-conforming product, generate corrective action reports (CARs), and work with quality and engineering to implement containment and prevention measures.
Maintain a clean, organized and well-documented workstation; ensure calibration of measuring tools and compliance with ISO/AS9100 or applicable quality standards.
Operate and maintain multi-spindle, Swiss-type lathes, EDM machines or rotary transfer equipment when required for high-volume precision components.
Perform machining trials and validation runs for prototype parts, providing feed / speed data, tooling selection and process notes to support iterative design changes.

Secondary Functions

Support production scheduling by communicating setup requirements, tooling needs and estimated runtimes to supervisors and planners.
Assist in inventory control and ordering of consumables and cutting tools; track usage to minimize downtime due to tooling shortages.
Participate in design reviews with engineers to provide feedback on tolerances, material selection and cost-effective machining approaches.
Help maintain training records, certifications and competency matrices for shop personnel.
Provide on-call support for critical production issues and emergency part runs outside of standard shift when needed.
Contribute to departmental metrics reporting (OEE, on-time delivery, scrap rate) and propose tactical corrections to hit targets.
Support cross-functional teams during product transfers between facilities, including documentation of machine setups and tooling lists.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in reading and interpreting engineering drawings and geometric dimensioning & tolerancing (GD&T).
CNC programming experience with Fanuc, Haas, Siemens or Heidenhain control systems; ability to edit G-code and perform in-controller programming.
Hands-on CAM programming skills using Mastercam, Fusion 360, SolidCAM or similar; strong understanding of toolpath strategies for 2D, 3D and 5-axis operations.
Setup and operation of CNC mills, CNC lathes, turning centers, Swiss machines and manual machine tools (surface grinder, drill press).
Precision measurement and metrology: micrometers, calipers, height gauges, bore gauges, optical comparators and CMM familiarity.
Knowledge of feeds, speeds, tooling materials (carbide, HSS, PCD), cutting fluid application and tool life optimization.
Experience with machining stainless steels, aluminum alloys, titanium, high-nickel alloys and plastics; understanding of material-specific machining practices.
Proficient with machine maintenance tasks, spindle setup, tool offset management and basic CNC diagnostic procedures.
Experience using ERP/MES systems (e.g., SAP, Epicor, JobBOSS) to log production, pull workorders and record quality data.
Familiarity with quality systems and standards such as ISO 9001, AS9100, Nadcap requirements and inspection documentation procedures.
Ability to program and operate multi-axis machines and understanding of fixture design and workholding strategies for complex parts.
Basic CAD skills to review and manipulate part files (SolidWorks, AutoCAD) for tooling clearance and fixturing considerations.

Soft Skills

Exceptional attention to detail and a quality-first mindset to ensure parts meet tight tolerances.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with a methodical approach to troubleshooting process failures.
Effective verbal and written communication to interact with engineers, quality, and production teams and document changes clearly.
Time management and organizational skills to prioritize setups, meet production schedules and reduce changeover times.
Team player mentality with the ability to mentor junior staff and collaborate cross-functionally.
Adaptability to changing production demands, new technologies and continuous improvement initiatives.
Dependability and strong work ethic, including readiness for shift work, overtime or first-shift responsibilities when required.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with relevant on-the-job training or vocational coursework in machining.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or associate degree in Machining Technology, Manufacturing Technology, Precision Machining, or completion of a recognized apprenticeship program.
Additional certifications such as NIMS, CNC setup & programming certificates, or CMM operator certification are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Machining Technology / Tool and Die
Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Industrial Maintenance / Mechanical Technology
Precision Manufacturing

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–8+ years of hands-on machining experience, depending on complexity of parts and level of autonomy required.

Preferred: 5+ years experience as a CNC Machinist or Journeyman Machinist with documented experience programming, setting up and running complex parts, experience with CAM software and metrology, and demonstrable continuous improvement contributions.