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Production machinist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Miles Free
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical production machinist skills. We ranked the top skills for production machinists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.1% of production machinist resumes contained hand tools as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a production machinist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 production machinist skills for your resume and career

1. Hand Tools

Here's how production machinists use hand tools:
  • Use of manual lathe, manual mill (no Bridgeport) and basic power tools/hand tools.
  • Used, skillfully all machinists' hand tools and determined properties of metals.

2. Calipers

Here's how production machinists use calipers:
  • Calculated dimensions and tolerances using micrometers and vernier calipers.
  • Utilized precision instruments vernier and digital calipers and micrometers.

3. Operate CNC

Here's how production machinists use operate cnc:
  • Operate CNC machines and produce quality medical parts
  • Set up/Operate CNC broach using CMM, Perthometer, Optical Comparator, and Shim stock.

4. CNC Machines

Here's how production machinists use cnc machines:
  • Worked in production, cleaning the area, operated CNC machines and cutting machines, band saw and grinders.
  • Operated and set up a CNC machine as well as inspection and removal of excess material from the part.

5. Manual Lathes

Here's how production machinists use manual lathes:
  • Manufactured parts with a manual lathe by turning, facing, grooving, drilling and threading (internal and external.)
  • Started as an Operator and used various machines including drill presses, manual lathes and mills.

6. SPC

SPC stands for "statistical process control," a method that uses statistical tools and charts to analyze a process or procedure over time. This could reveal an error in production or an internal system by highlighting data points outside the expected results. These anomalies, likely caused by outside sources, can then be studied and remedied.

Here's how production machinists use spc:
  • Conform to and uphold ISO 9001 standards and maintain Control, and employed SPC during machining operations.
  • Created and used SPC charts to monitor and control limits on production processes.

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7. Machine Shop Equipment

Here's how production machinists use machine shop equipment:
  • Machined components for product Trained machine operators Reduced production times through revised methods Repaired machine shop equipment
  • Set up and operated all types of machine shop equipment.

8. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how production machinists use troubleshoot:
  • Edit programs(troubleshoot), alter tooling and set-ups to run more efficient.
  • Worked closely with customers to determine job requirements, troubleshoot equipment problems and answer customer questions.

9. Safety Guidelines

Safety guidelines are regulations or rules governing procedures, actions, or devices with the aim of reducing the occurrence or risk of loss, injury, and danger to properties, individuals, or the environment. To adhere to the safety guidelines and be able to make the best possible decisions to ensure everyone at the workplace is safe, you should possess a wide range of skills.

Here's how production machinists use safety guidelines:
  • Follow all safety guidelines and keep workstations clean and organized.
  • Ensured that all health and safety guidelines were followed.

10. Grinders

Here's how production machinists use grinders:
  • Utilized machines such as mills, lathes, jig borers, grinders and sharpeners to fabricate parts according to engineering plans.
  • Operated lathes, mills and grinders with and without CNC controls.

11. Product Quality

Product quality is the basic element of a business. It means to add features in a product or service in such a way that it meets the needs and wants of the customers. Enhancing the product quality also means improve the goods from any existing defects to ensure customer satisfaction.

Here's how production machinists use product quality:
  • Conceived changes that improved both operational efficiency and product quality.
  • Align cutting tools and accessories onto machines Ensured product quality.

12. 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 production machinists use blueprint specifications:
  • Machine OEM production pistons to customer blueprint specifications.
  • Machine OEM production pistons to customer blueprint specifications for Ford, GM, Mack, International, Caterpillar.

13. Shop Mathematics

Here's how production machinists use shop mathematics:
  • Practice quality assurance on every operation performed; using calculations, through use of shop mathematics and precision measurement.
  • Use shop mathematics including geometry and trigonometry.

14. Jigs

Here's how production machinists use jigs:
  • Machined/repaired serviceable parts for turbine engines, and constructed support tooling such as text fixtures and assembly jigs.
  • Assembled parts using jigs, punch presses, drill presses, and pneumatic tools.

15. Dial Indicators

Here's how production machinists use dial indicators:
  • Use precision measuring devices such as micrometers, calipers and dial indicators to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Aligned rotating equipment using lasers or dial indicators.
top-skills

What skills help Production 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 production machinists need?

Miles FreeMiles Free LinkedIn profile

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?
Read more about what experts have to say about production machinist

List of production machinist skills to add to your resume

Production machinist skills

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

  • Hand Tools
  • Calipers
  • Operate CNC
  • CNC Machines
  • Manual Lathes
  • SPC
  • Machine Shop Equipment
  • Troubleshoot
  • Safety Guidelines
  • Grinders
  • Product Quality
  • Blueprint Specifications
  • Shop Mathematics
  • Jigs
  • Dial Indicators
  • Quality Standards
  • Computer Numerical
  • Machine Operation
  • Spindles
  • Drill Presses
  • Process Control
  • Comparators
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Production Machinery
  • Hoists
  • Cnc Turning
  • Stainless Steel
  • EDM
  • Assembly Line
  • FANUC
  • Turning Centers
  • Mazak
  • Manual Mill
  • Band Saws
  • Haas
  • Vertical Mill
  • OD
  • G Code
  • Grinding Machines
  • Customer Specifications
  • CMM
  • Screw Machines
  • Quality Checks
  • Machine Tools
  • Okuma
  • Punch Presses
  • ISO
  • Detect Defects

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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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