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Head machinist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Miles Free

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical head machinist skills. We ranked the top skills for head machinists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 34.7% of head machinist resumes contained calipers as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a head machinist needs to be successful in the workplace.

12 head machinist skills for your resume and career

1. Calipers

Here's how head machinists use calipers:

Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers.
Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers.

2. CNC

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. It is a subtractive manufacturing technique that usually uses computerized controls and machine tools to strip layers of material from a stock piece.

Here's how head machinists use cnc:

Job Responsibilities: Programming all parts, as well as setting-up and running the CNC mill.
Process development for integrating new CNC Machine Tools into an existing production chain.

3. Engine Lathes

Here's how head machinists use engine lathes:

General manual machining of customer requirements on conventional engine lathes and vertical milling machines.
Tool repair on broken fixtures using milling machines, engine lathes, horizontal milling and welding.

4. Safety Procedures

Safety procedures are a set of standardized procedures, that ensures minimal to no risk to people, resources, and the work environment. A company follows the step-by-step safety procedures as it they not only keep the customers and the employees safe, but also help in avoiding legal claims.

Here's how head machinists use safety procedures:

Performed damage control and improved safety procedures.

5. MIG

MIG is a specific type of welding in which two base materials are welded together using a solid wire electrode fed through a welding gun and into the weld pool.

Here's how head machinists use mig:

Tool Room Performed preventative maintenance on machines Operated ARC, TIG, and MIG welders
General metal working (Grinding, welding - MIG and some TIG, operating band saw, lathe, mill)

6. Drill Press

A drill press refers to a device used to produce holes in hard substances. When drilling the holes, you need to clamp the workpiece on a table and hold the drill in a rotating spindle and feed it into the workpiece.

Here's how head machinists use drill press:

Manufacture parts for power plants using mills, lathes, radial arm drill presses and plasma cutter.
Fabricate and design various custom parts, sharpen drill bits and operate drill press.

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7. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium, carbon, and some other metals with corrosion-resistant properties. The components of steel include less than 1% carbon, 1% manganese, and small quantities of other elements such as phosphorus, silicon, sulfur, and oxygen. Iron and carbon are the two essential components of steel. Stainless steel is resistant to tarnishing and rust.

Here's how head machinists use stainless steel:

Make parts using raw wire which consist of aluminum, monel and stainless steel to print specifications.
Functioned independently on weekend shift in decision-making and producing close-tolerance stainless steel parts.

8. CAD

Here's how head machinists use cad:

Manufacture technical parts to CAD specifications* Operate three CNC milling machines simultaneously to produce components for medical equipment
Balanced operation between Digital Printers and Cad Cutters.

9. Jigs

Here's how head machinists use jigs:

Fabricated tools and jigs to remove and install given parts.
Designed and welded jigs and fixtures to increase production.

10. Rollers

Here's how head machinists use rollers:

Skilled in P & E rollers and Hartford rollers.

11. Blueprint Specifications

Blueprints are layouts or designs about the construction of a building or structure. It consists of accurate engineering drawing on light-sensitive sheets allowing to create copies easily.

Here's how head machinists use blueprint specifications:

Read and complete job to specific blueprint specifications.
Skilled machinist functions; ability to comprehend blueprint specifications, set up machinery in accordance with job specifications.

12. Manual Lathes

Here's how head machinists use manual lathes:

Manufactured precise parts on Manual Lathe and Milling Machinery according to Blue Print Specifications
Learned Conventional milling machine and manual lathe

What skills help Head Machinists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What type of skills will young head machinists need?

Miles Free

Director, Industry Affairs, Precision Machined Products Association

Skills are essential, but most of our precision machining shops hire for attitude. We will help reliable candidates develop the skills that they need. If we look at employers having wants and needs: want - someone that knows their software. Needs - someone that knows how to adjust code; we'll teach them our software. Wants - excellent math skills. Requires the ability to do high school algebra, geometry, and trig.

Needs - people that can communicate an issue verbally and in writing.
That's where we see it. Critical thinking, ability to understand problems and their potential causes, ability to work well with others, without this, even a super-competent technically skilled person will probably find themselves changing jobs many times.

Do you want to know more?

List of head machinist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a head machinist resume and required skills for a head machinist to have include:

Calipers
CNC
Engine Lathes
Safety Procedures

MIG
Drill Press
Stainless Steel
CAD

Jigs
Rollers
Blueprint Specifications
Manual Lathes

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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