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Senior 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 senior machinist skills. We ranked the top skills for senior machinists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 8.7% of senior machinist resumes contained calipers as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a senior machinist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 senior machinist skills for your resume and career

1. Calipers

Here's how senior machinists use calipers:

Interpret Blueprints for dimensions and tolerances to perform quality checks using indicators, calipers, and other measuring devices.
Use calipers to measure key features of finished Aircraft reflectors, according to blueprint and op text.

2. Micrometers

A micrometer is a measuring instrument used in various laboratories to measure even the tiniest components in-depth with great precision and accuracy and to make precise linear measurements of dimensions such as diameters, thicknesses, and lengths of solid bodies. They are essential measuring instruments used by mechanical engineers, machinists, and workers in other technical professions. They allow workers to take extremely precise measurements, which can be viewed either in imperial or metric format. Most micrometers are designed to measure within one-thousandth of an inch! It's a snug fit. Accurate measurements like this are needed when even the smallest distance between objects can cause problems or difficulties.

Here's how senior machinists use micrometers:

Measure and examine completed units in order to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments such as calipers and/or micrometers.
Verified dimensions of products for accuracy and conformance to specifications using precision measuring instruments such as calipers, gauges and micrometers.

3. Grinders

Here's how senior machinists use grinders:

Operate and perform with surface grinders to produce precision internal/external machined parts holding total tolerances of less than .0002.
Started as Level 1 Machinist assembling CNC machines and using grinders.

4. Hand Tools

Here's how senior machinists use hand tools:

Dismantled machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools
Use Mastercam to produce CNC programs when needed Use hand tools to ensure finished parts adhere to drawing specifications and tolerances.

5. CNC Machines

Here's how senior machinists use cnc machines:

Performed preventive maintenance daily of CNC machinery.
Worked with a variety of machines including; three-dimensional vertical mills, lathes, and CNC Machines.

6. Machine Tools

Here's how senior machinists use machine tools:

Operate all machine tools in the department to include manual, automatic or CNC.
Set up/operated and adjusted all basic and specialized machine tools.

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7. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how senior machinists use continuous improvement:

Directed daily meetings for continuous improvement to review and improve department metrics.
Performed continuous process improvement by updating to current machining technologies and tooling.

8. G Code

Here's how senior machinists use g code:

Completed the Advanced Manufacturing Program Mill G CodeProgramming Course at Suffolk Community College.
Utilized CamWorks and SolidWorks software for the purpose of modeling and generating code for MultiAxis machining centers to facilitate shop production.

9. Jigs

Here's how senior machinists use jigs:

Produced custom tools, jigs, or dies.
Consulted with and assisted engineers on the design and manufacture of complex parts including jigs, fixtures, and dies.Rapid prototyping.

10. GD

GD refers to Grade Delay and is often mentioned on report cards or academic records when the instructor of a particular subject decides to hold the grade of a student. This is usually done if the instructor wants the student to improve their grade by retaking the exam or doing something for extra credit that will ultimately enhance their overall grade. Eventually, when the grade is assigned, the GD is then replaced with the original grade.

Here's how senior machinists use gd:

Dialed in close tolerances sometimes using GD &T true positioning.
Read and interpret blueprints including GD and T symbols.

11. 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 senior machinists use troubleshoot:

Worked closely with customers to determine job requirements, troubleshoot equipment problems and answer customer questions.
Demonstrate the ability to troubleshoot effectively in order to minimize Production down time.

12. 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 senior machinists use spc:

Performed and reviewed Statistical ProcessControl (SPC), including data collection, charts and graphs.
Qualified in SPC and quality control requirements and in machine maintenance.

13. Comparators

Here's how senior machinists use comparators:

Operated manual/CNC lathes and used industry standard measuring equipment including manual/digital calipers, manual/digital micrometers and optical comparators
Work from blueprints and use related measuring equipment including micrometers and comparators.

14. FANUC

Here's how senior machinists use fanuc:

Reduced programming cost by creating translation programs within FANUC controls for CNC machinist.
Certified to operate multiple machines such as the FANUC Series 31i-model A5 and other 5 axis machines.

15. Prototype

A prototype is a model or sample of a product, created prior to its release with the goal of testing the product and observing its behavior and effectiveness in use. The results of this testing are then used to further alter and improve the product in question, often redesigning it, fixing any issues which may have come up, and otherwise upgrading the already existing design.

Here's how senior machinists use prototype:

Machined prototype parts for biochemical warfare protection.
Performed machinist responsibilities for this precision machine shop that included the design of prototypes, metal fabrication, and machine design.

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What skills help Senior Machinists find jobs?

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What type of skills will young senior 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 senior machinist skills to add to your resume

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

Calipers
Micrometers
Grinders
Hand Tools
CNC Machines
Machine Tools
Continuous Improvement
G Code
Jigs
GD
Troubleshoot
SPC
Comparators
FANUC

Prototype
Haas
Manual Machines
Tool Selection
Reference Points
Solidworks
Close Tolerance
Cad Cam
Engine Lathes
Machine Shop Equipment
FDA
Mazak
Stainless Steel
Production Equipment

Turning Centers
CAD/CAM
EDM
Drill Press
Manual Lathes
ISO
CMM
Grinding Machines
Surface Grinders
Dial Indicators
Okuma
Mori Seiki
Customer Specifications
Landing Gear

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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