What does a production machinist do?
Production machinist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real production machinist resumes:
- Operate lathes, mills, cnc hurco mill, sinker edm, jig grinder, o.d.
- Set up and operate mills, lathes, VTL Bullards, surface grinding, band see.
- Operate, setup, and program wire and sinker EDM machines.
- Require to inspect work using various micrometers and optical comparators and scopes.
- Edit programs (troubleshoot), alter tooling and set-ups to run more efficient.
- Operate machine tools such as grinders, files, and metal brushes to clean metal parts.
- Set up, operate and troubleshoot multiple conventional, special purpose and numerical controlmachines and machining centers.
- Machined/Repair serviceable parts for turbine engines, and construct support tooling such as text fixtures and assembly jigs.
- Design and modify jigs for critical parts of machines, build parts with jigs before they go to the floor.
- Utilize machines such as mills, lathes, jig borers, grinders and sharpeners to fabricate parts according to engineering plans.
- Calculate dimensions and tolerances using micrometers and vernier calipers.
- Utilize precision instruments vernier and digital calipers and micrometers.
- Experience in lathe, vertical / horizontal mill, and Bridgeport operation.
- Design and manufacture holding fixtures for various weld and assembly applications utilizing Gibbs Cad/Cam design systems.
Production machinist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Production Machinists are proficient in Hand Tools, Calipers, and Operate CNC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Manual dexterity, and Math skills and computer application experience.
We break down the percentage of Production Machinists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Hand Tools, 12%
Use of manual lathe, manual mill (no Bridgeport) and basic power tools/hand tools.
- Calipers, 8%
Calculated dimensions and tolerances using micrometers and vernier calipers.
- Operate CNC, 8%
Operate CNC machines and produce quality medical parts
- CNC Machines, 8%
Worked in production, cleaning the area, operated CNC machines and cutting machines, band saw and grinders.
- Manual Lathes, 5%
Manufactured parts with a manual lathe by turning, facing, grooving, drilling and threading (internal and external.)
- SPC, 5%
Conform to and uphold ISO 9001 standards and maintain Control, and employed SPC during machining operations.
"hand tools," "calipers," and "operate cnc" are among the most common skills that production machinists use at work. You can find even more production machinist responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a production machinist to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "machinists and tool and die makers must be able to interpret technical blueprints, models, and specifications so that they can craft precision tools and metal parts." Production machinists often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "analyzed engineering drawings; planned and produced components to customer specifications utilizing conventional and cnc machining techniques. "
Manual dexterity. Many production machinist duties rely on manual dexterity. "machinists’ and tool and die makers’ work demands accuracy, sometimes to within .0001 of an inch," so a production machinist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways production machinist responsibilities rely on manual dexterity: "fill in for quality assurance as needed, checked parts on cmm and did manual checking as well. "
Mechanical skills. For certain production machinist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "mechanical skills." The day-to-day duties of a production machinist rely on this skill, as "machinists and tool and die makers may operate milling machines, lathes, grinders, laser and water jetting machines, wire electrical discharge machines, and other machine tools." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what production machinists do: "maintain and repair production machinery of household products troubleshoot mechanical breakdowns and restore production in a timely manner. "
Physical stamina. Another crucial skill for a production machinist to carry out their responsibilities is "physical stamina." A big part of what production machinists relies on this skill, since "machinist and tool and die makers must stand for extended periods and perform repetitious movements." How this skill relates to production machinist duties can be seen in an example from a production machinist resume snippet: "display math skills college level algebra, geometry, and some trigonometry also have advanced measurement skills and knowledge physical sciences. "
Technical skills. Another skill commonly found on production machinist job descriptions is "technical skills." It can come up quite often in production machinist duties, since "machinists and tool and die makers must understand metalworking processes." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day production machinist responsibilities: "performed technical assembly lineoperations, including continuous improvement activities. "
The three companies that hire the most production machinists are:
- Horton7 production machinists jobs
- Waters6 production machinists jobs
- Raytheon Technologies4 production machinists jobs
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Compare different production machinists
Production machinist vs. Set-up operator
A machine set-up operator operates machinery such as grinders, bores, and mills. They prepare machines to be used by organizing tools, setting valve directions, sharpening tools as needed, positioning tools, and conducting regular maintenance.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between production machinists and set-up operator. For instance, production machinist responsibilities require skills such as "operate cnc," "machine shop equipment," "troubleshoot," and "thread gauges." Whereas a set-up operator is skilled in "math," "preventative maintenance," "micrometers," and "safety procedures." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Set-up operators tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $44,628. In contrast, production machinists make the biggest average salary, $58,314, in the energy industry.set-up operators tend to reach similar levels of education than production machinists. In fact, set-up operators are 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Production machinist vs. Grinder
Depending on the industry, a grinder has a diverse range of duties. Typically, they oversee setting up and operating bearing grinders, cam grinders, and CNC lathes. A grinder must meet with the manufacturer's specifications by making use of shop drawings. Additionally, they may be tasked with repairing any mechanical breakdowns on the machines.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real production machinist resumes. While production machinist responsibilities can utilize skills like "operate cnc," "cnc machines," "manual lathes," and "spc," grinders use skills like "grinding wheels," "cnc," "safety procedures," and "math."
Grinders may earn a lower salary than production machinists, but grinders earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $40,459. On the other hand, production machinists receive higher pay in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $58,314.grinders earn similar levels of education than production machinists in general. They're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Production machinist vs. Machine set up operator
Tool technicians are skilled professionals who are responsible for repairing a variety of pneumatic and hand tools as well as disassemble defective electrical equipment in a manufacturing firm using these hand tools. These technicians are required to coordinate with other areas of the company to schedule and perform preventive maintenance duties. They must provide support for CNC operators by setting up the caliper and micrometer of all the CNC machines. Tool technicians must also assist coworkers in ordering materials and purchasing machine parts.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, production machinists are more likely to have skills like "hand tools," "machine shop equipment," "troubleshoot," and "safety guidelines." But a machine set up operator is more likely to have skills like "micrometers," "cnc lathes," "math," and "dexterity."
Machine set up operators make a very good living in the automotive industry with an average annual salary of $39,440. On the other hand, production machinists are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $58,314.Most machine set up operators achieve a similar degree level compared to production machinists. For example, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Production machinist vs. Tool technician
Types of production machinist
Updated January 8, 2025
