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Set-up operator resume examples from 2025

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Updated March 26, 2025
6 min read
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How to write a set-up operator resume

Craft a resume summary statement

A resume summary is your opening statement that highlights your strongest skills and top accomplishments. It is your chance to quickly let recruiters know who you are professionally - and why they should hire you for the set-up operator role.

Step 1: Start with your professional title, or the one you aspire to.

Step 2: Detail your years of experience in set-up operator-related roles and your industry experience.

Step 3: What are your biggest professional wins? Here is your opportunity to highlight your strongest accomplishments by placing them at the start of your resume.

Step 4: Don't forget, your goal is to summarize your experience. Keep it short and sweet, so it's easy for recruiters to quickly understand why you're a great hire.

These tips will help you demonstrate why you are the perfect fit for the set-up operator position.

Please upload your resume so Zippia’s job hunt AI can draft a summary statement for you.

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List the right project manager skills

Use your Skills section to show you have the knowledge and technical ability to do the job. Here is how to make the most of your skills section and make sure you have the right keywords:

  1. Look to the job listing. You often need to include the exact keywords from the job description. Take note of the skills listed for the job.
  2. Put all relevant hard and soft skills in your skills section.
  3. Be specific. If you are too broad, you may not be giving the best picture of your skills and leave the hiring manager uncertain of your abilities.
  4. Be up to date. Software names change and companies merge. Don't look out of touch by being careless.
  5. Be accurate. Spelling and even upper or lowercase can dramatically change meanings. Make sure you are correctly listing your skills.
These five steps should give you a strong elevator pitch and land you some set-up operator interviews.

Here are example skills to include in your “Area of Expertise” on a set-up operator resume:

  • Calipers
  • CNC Machines
  • Hand Tools
  • Math
  • Quality Checks
  • Preventative Maintenance
  • Micrometers
  • Safety Procedures
  • CNC Lathes
  • Basic Math
  • Quality Standards
  • ISO
  • GMP
  • SPC
  • Quality Products
  • Blueprint Specifications
  • Punch Press
  • Machine Operation
  • Production Equipment
  • Brake Press
  • Piece Inspection
  • Grinding Wheels
  • Production Schedules
  • Quality Issues
  • Hoists
  • Screw Machines
  • CMM
  • Comparators
  • Lockout Tagout
  • Stamping Presses

Zippia’s AI can customize your resume for you.

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How to structure your work experience

Your work experience should be structured:

  1. With your most recent roles first, followed by earlier roles in reverse chronological order.
  2. Job title, along with company name and location on the left.
  3. Put the corresponding dates of employment on the left side.
  4. Keep only relevant jobs on your work experience.

How to write set-up operator experience bullet points

Your resume is your chance to show your biggest accomplishments. Don't just list your job responsibilities, instead take the opportunity to show why you're really good at what you do. Here is how you do that:

  • Start with strong action verbs like managed, spearheaded, created, etc. Your goal is to show what you did and verbs will help demonstrate your contributions.
  • Use numbers to quantify your achievements. Did you save time with a new report? Increase revenue? How large was the team you managed?
  • Keep it concise. You're highlighting your achievements. Consider if all details you are sharing are relevant, or can be written more efficiently.

Here are great bullet points from set-up operator resumes:

Work history example #1

Printed Circuit Boards Die Set-Up Operator

National Oilwell Varco

  • Tracked each operation required ISO-9000 specifications.
  • Programmed and operated various CNC grinding and milling machines, correctly.
  • Recognized and reported defective material and equipment to shift supervisor.
  • Measured work piece dimensions to determine machine operation accuracy Measured and inspected parts with calipers, scales, and micrometers.
  • Operated the CNC machine, finishing hundreds of parts per day.

Work history example #2

Die Press Operator

Kelly Services

  • Operated CMM machine Certified cell support operator Inspected product for imperfections Expedited routers & detail reports
  • welded plastic automotive car parts for toyota
  • Carried out any additional task assigned by Production Management, Supervisor or Staff Coordinator
  • Adhered to all SOPS, cGMPs, plant safety, and documentation systems requirements Cleaned equipment and work area.
  • Used calipers and micrometers to check tolerances

Work history example #3

Screw Machine Operator

Pactiv

  • Prepared pallets by following prescribed stacking arrangement and Properly tagging pallets.
  • Followed GMP, HACCP and customer requirements during machine and work area cleaning.
  • Followed standardized company general manufacturing procedures (GMP) throughout shift.
  • Advised production Manager for problems and troubleshooting robotics operations.
  • Used center press to place hole in bottom for CNCOperation.

Work history example #4

Set-Up Operator

Caterpillar

  • Programmed a high-speed robotic lathe to custom produce water pump parts for Caterpillar engines.
  • Ended up a CNC Mill Machine operator milling crankshafts for the engines for the last year of employment.
  • Inspected and measured finished workpieces to determine conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as gauges or micrometers.
  • Maintained tolerances and quality control for all product s.
  • Inspected parts with digital comparator, digital indicators, calipers, and micrometers.

Zippia’s AI can customize your resume for you.

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Add an education section to your resume

The education section should display your highest degree first.

Place your education section appropriately on your resume. If you graduated over 5 years ago, this section should be at the bottom of your resume. If you just graduated and lack relevant work experience, the education section should go to the top.

If you have a bachelor's or master's degree, do not list your high school education. If your graduation year is more than 15-20 years ago, it's better not to include dates in this section.

Here are some examples of good education entries from set-up operator resumes:

Certificate in computer networking

Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD

2013 - 2014

High School Diploma

2012 - 2012

Highlight your set-up operator certifications on your resume

If you have any additional certifications or education-like achievements, add them to the education section.

Start simple. Include the full name of the certification. It's also good to mention the organization that issued the certification. Next, specify when you obtained the certification.

If you have any of these certifications, be sure to include them on your set-up operator resume:

  1. Forklift Safety and Inspector

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