What You'll Do

  • Measure dimensions of finished workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using precision measuring instruments, templates, and fixtures.
  • Remove and replace dull cutting tools.
  • Mount, install, align, and secure tools, attachments, fixtures, and workpieces on machines, using hand tools and precision measuring instruments.
  • Listen to machines during operation to detect sounds such as those made by dull cutting tools or excessive vibration, and adjust machines to compensate for problems.
  • Adjust machine feed and speed, change cutting tools, or adjust machine controls when automatic programming is faulty or if machines malfunction.
  • Stop machines to remove finished workpieces or to change tooling, setup, or workpiece placement, according to required machining sequences.
  • Lift workpieces to machines manually or with hoists or cranes.
  • Modify cutting programs to account for problems encountered during operation, and save modified programs.
  • Calculate machine speed and feed ratios and the size and position of cuts.
  • Insert control instructions into machine control units to start operation.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 4.12/5
Operation and Control 4.12/5
Critical Thinking 3.62/5
Monitoring 3.62/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.38/5
Active Listening 3.12/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.12/5
Troubleshooting 3.12/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Equipment Maintenance 3.0/5
Repairing 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Cautiousness, Achievement Orientation, Stress Tolerance

Want a personal read on fit? Take the free assessment and compare this career to your current role, nearby alternatives, and broader stronger-fit options.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.75/5
Near Vision 3.75/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.62/5
Information Ordering 3.62/5
Control Precision 3.5/5
Reaction Time 3.5/5
Hearing Sensitivity 3.38/5
Oral Comprehension 3.25/5

Technologies & Tools

1CadCam Unigraphics Autodesk AutoCAD BobCAD-CAM Cadem CAPSMill Cadem CAPSTurn Cadem NCnet Cadem seeNC Mill CGTech Vericut CNC CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator CNC Mastercam Computer aided design CAD software Computer aided manufacturing CAM software Dassault Systemes CATIA Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Delcam PowerMILL Direct motion computer numerically controlled CNC software DP Technology ESPRIT EditCNC Eko Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.71/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.53/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.17/5)
  • Achievement Orientation (High importance: 3.83/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 3.69/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Aircraft Metals Technician Automated Cutting Machine Operator Automated Equipment Operator Automation Machine Operator CNC Gear Operator (Computer Numerical Control Gear Operator) CNC Laser Operator (Computer Numerical Control Laser Operator) CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator) CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator) CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Operator) CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist) CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist) CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator) CNC Milling Machine Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Milling Machine Operator) CNC Operator (Computer Numeric Control Operator) CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator) CNC Router Operator (Computer Numerical Control Router Operator) CNC Set Up Operator (Computer Numerical Control Set Up Operator) CNC Shot Peening Operator (Computer Numerically Controlled Shot Peening Operator) CNC Tech (Computer Numerical Control Technician) CNC Tech (Computer Numerically Controlled Technician) Laser Beam Trim Operator Laser Operator Machine Operator Machine Set Up Operator Medical Numerical Control Operator Metal Computer Numerically Controlled Operator (Metal CNC Operator) Metal Jig Boring Machine Operator Metal Numerical Control Machine Operator Numerical Control Drill Press Operator Numerical Control Jig Boring Machine Operator Numerical Control Lathe Operator Numerical Control Machine Operator Numerical Control Machine Set Up Operator Numerical Control Machine Tool Operator Numerical Control Machinist Operator Numerical Control Milling Machine Operator Numerical Control Milling Machine Set Up Operator Numerical Control Router Operator Numerical Control Router Set Up Operator Operator Plastic CNC Machine Operator (Plastic Computer Numerically Controlled Machine Operator) Plastic Numerical Control Machine Operator PLC Tech (Programmable Logic Control Technician) Printed Circuit Boards Numerical Control Drill Operator (PCB Numerical Control Drill Operator) Robotic Machine Operator Set Up Operator Shot Peening Operator Stencil Cutter Welding Robot Operator

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.