What does a machine attendant do?
Machine attendant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real machine attendant resumes:
- Perform machining, including but not limit to components using mills, lathes and surface grinders to accomplish repairs.
- Participate as ISO auditor for internal audits.
- Operate a CNC machine for production of small parts.
- Operate drill press, CNC lathe, honing machine and routers.
- Help the machine operator by moving pallets and setting up the machine for him.
- Cross train on other machines like the 35"flexo machine and McKinley die cutter.
- Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
- Locate and set up material and packing boxes using a fork lift or pallet jack.
- Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Machine attendant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Machine Attendants are proficient in Hand Tools, Quality Checks, and Troubleshoot. They’re also known for soft skills such as Manual dexterity, Troubleshooting skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Machine Attendants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 16%
Worked with a variety of machine tools including riveters, hand tools, power screwdrivers, and air guns.
- Quality Checks, 12%
Performed quality checks to maintain tolerances and product specifications.
- Troubleshoot, 11%
Monitor and troubleshoot Taper machines.
- Math, 11%
Produced and maintained accurate documentation for production reports using math and computer skills.
- CNC, 9%
Company certified forklift driver Accomplishments Certified Press operator, certified CNC lathe operator, certified heat treat operator.
- Expiration Dates, 6%
Tracked schedule of expiration dates, entered dates into computer to stamp item wrappers.
Most machine attendants use their skills in "hand tools," "quality checks," and "troubleshoot" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential machine attendant responsibilities here:
Manual dexterity. The most essential soft skill for a machine attendant to carry out their responsibilities is manual dexterity. This skill is important for the role because "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights must have a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination when handling very small parts." Additionally, a machine attendant resume shows how their duties depend on manual dexterity: "operate punch press drill press manual lathe"
Troubleshooting skills. Another essential skill to perform machine attendant duties is troubleshooting skills. Machine attendants responsibilities require that "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights must observe, diagnose, and fix problems that a machine may be having." Machine attendants also use troubleshooting skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "repair machines and replace parts; troubleshooting, changeovers, routine maintenance and maintain equipment to ensure consistent operation. "
Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of machine attendants is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday machine attendant duties, as "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights use technical manuals and sophisticated diagnostic equipment to figure out why machines are not working." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "demonstrated mechanical abilities and shop math skills. "
The three companies that hire the most machine attendants are:
- B. Braun Medical23 machine attendants jobs
- Quad4 machine attendants jobs
- Johns Manville2 machine attendants jobs
Compare different machine attendants
Machine attendant vs. Oiler
An Oiler applies or puts lubricants, oil, or fuel on vehicles, motors, or machines. Besides monitoring and recording gage readings, an Oiler also helps professional engineers to start and operate machinery. These professionals service vehicles, motors, or machines from time to time and help skilled engineers maintain, repair, and overhaul them. Other duties performed by oilers include cleaning and maintaining the engine room, repairing and welding the engine part and deck, and recording all the engine department's tasks.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, machine attendant responsibilities require skills like "hand tools," "quality checks," "troubleshoot," and "math." Meanwhile a typical oiler has skills in areas such as "preventative maintenance," "cdl," "safety standards," and "construction equipment." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Oilers tend to reach similar levels of education than machine attendants. In fact, oilers are 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Machine attendant vs. Shuttler
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, machine attendant responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "hand tools," "quality checks," "troubleshoot," and "math." Meanwhile, a shuttler has duties that require skills in areas such as "transport vehicles," "vehicle damage," "service cars," and "group associates." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Shuttlers tend to reach similar levels of education than machine attendants. In fact, they're 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Machine attendant vs. Engine oiler
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, machine attendants are more likely to have skills like "hand tools," "quality checks," "troubleshoot," and "math." But a engine oiler is more likely to have skills like "routine maintenance," "autocad," "diesel generators," and "lng."
When it comes to education, engine oilers tend to earn higher degree levels compared to machine attendants. In fact, they're 7.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 3.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Machine attendant vs. Fuel system maintenance worker
Types of machine attendant
Updated January 8, 2025
