WHAT DOES A MACHINIST DO?
Published: Mar 17, 2026. The Machinist is responsible for machine setup and operation, precision machining, quality inspection, and advanced tooling adjustments across multiple machining platforms. This role requires strong expertise in programming, blueprint interpretation, documentation control, preventive maintenance, and strict adherence to safety and manufacturing standards. The individual also supports continuous improvement initiatives, production efficiency, cross-functional collaboration, and the consistent delivery of high-quality results in deadline-driven environments.
Key Responsibilities of a Machinist
1. Machinist Duties
- Machining Interpretation: Read and interpret part drawings to ensure proper dimensions of machined specifications
- Supervisory Communication: Keep supervisors aware of pertinent issues, information, etc., warranting supervisors' knowledge, action and/or resolution
- Record Management: Ensure proper, accurate records, files, databases, etc., are maintained within areas of responsibility
- Quality Inspection: Ensure proper inspection, i.e., first piece inspection(s), are performed and adjustments are made
- Operational Efficiency: Perform functions in a timely, safe, and cost-effective manner
- Workplace Safety: Ensure the work area is kept clean and safe
- Team Collaboration: Maintains a flexible, cooperative, team-oriented, and customer-focused attitude
- Tooling Manufacturing: Manufacture tooling to support production needs, utilizing various machining disciplines
- Machining Accountability: Accountable for all machining performed
- Quality Improvement: Participate in projects to improve the quality of tooling manufactured
- Production Support: Assist production when extra capacity is required
- Audit Compliance: Perform TEOA audits periodically
- Shop Maintenance: Maintain the tool shop and machine cleanliness
- Final Inspection: Inspect all tooling before shipping
2. Machinist Details
- Machine Operation: Operates machine(s) according to standard operating procedures
- Safe Operation: Operates machine(s) safely and communicates any problems to supervisor or lead
- Production Performance: Meets production standards as set by department goals
- Work Order Comprehension: Understands work orders and routings
- Quality Monitoring: Monitors the quality of work per the Quality Assurance Inspection Procedure
- Equipment Maintenance: Performs minor troubleshooting and preventive maintenance of the equipment
- Technical Training: Trains and develops entry-level machinists
- CNC Programming: Programs and interprets CNC or Robotics languages and codes
- Advanced Setup: Performs complex machine setups and advanced quality inspections on most machines in the assigned area
- Tool Adjustment: Performs complex tool changes and adjustments
3. Machinist Responsibilities
- Production Initiative: Lead with initiative to identify production opportunities
- Precision Machining: Implement machining knowledge by holding high tolerances, selecting the right tools for optimum productivity and work holding
- Dimensional Verification: Determine product measurements, verifying setups and parts by measuring positions, first-run parts, and sample work pieces utilizing a comparator, calipers, micrometers, bore gages, height gages, indicators, and other required measuring equipment
- Process Support: Support the VIT department by completing the required tasks to move parts to the next step or shipment
- Requirement Development: Create customer product requirements based on the work order, blueprint, or engineering drawings
- Health Safety Compliance: Health, Safety and Environmental performance, adhering to work procedures and PPE instructions and facilitating team safety meetings
- Continuous Improvement: Take an active role in continuous improvement, maintaining and improving safety and housekeeping standards
- Equipment Operation: Undertake safe operation of equipment and machines within the Engineering Shop, including basic maintenance
- Multi Machine Operation: Carry out machining work on a range of machines, CNC lathes and mills, specialist roll stand lathes, manual centre lathes, milling machines, boring mills, planers, slotters, grinders, drills, saws, etc.
- High Standard Manufacturing: Manufacture items to a high standard from existing drawings within the expected delivery period
- Material Handling: Collection and delivery of test piece samples and stands around the site
4. Machinist Accountabilities
- CNC Operation: Properly operate assigned CNC machines
- Tooling Setup: Perform tooling and fixturing changes
- Program Adjustment: Read and comprehend existing programs and make appropriate adjustments
- Product Inspection: Properly inspect products using various types of measuring equipment
- Order Documentation: Complete all required order documentation properly, including inspection, job traveler or SWO, etc.
- Workplace Organization: Maintain the cleanliness of the work area and follow 6S practices
- GMP Compliance: Thoroughly understand Good Documentation Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices
- Process Improvement: Provide feedback to assist in establishing the best production practices for products
- Inventory Awareness: Exhibit familiarity with part numbers, lot numbers, and inventory control practices
- Schedule Adherence: Promote adherence to manufacturing schedules and deadlines
- EHS Compliance: Adhere to all applicable environmental, health, and safety policies
- Team Support: Assist in the promotion of a cooperative and supportive work environment
- Management Communication: Communicate any issues or concerns with management
5. Machinist Functions
- CNC Setup Operation: Set up and operate CNC horizontal machining centers, vertical machining centers, and lathes
- Secondary Processing: Perform secondary operations on parts such as deburring and part washing
- Program Modification: Make minor CNC programming changes and adjustments
- Tooling Maintenance: Monitor and maintain tooling to ensure production meets quality standards
- Preventive Maintenance: Perform daily preventive maintenance on machines
- Quality Verification: Check parts visually and use inspection tools to ensure parts meet specified quality standards
- System Utilization: Use computer systems daily to obtain part drawings, setup information, work procedures, and perform production reporting
- Safe Work Practices: Follow safe work habits and maintain the cleanliness of the work area