What You'll Do

  • Verify conformance of machined work to specifications, using measuring instruments, such as calipers, micrometers, or fixed or telescoping gauges.
  • Study machining instructions, job orders, or blueprints to determine dimensional or finish specifications, sequences of operations, setups, or tooling requirements.
  • Select and set cutting speeds, feed rates, depths of cuts, and cutting tools, according to machining instructions or knowledge of metal properties.
  • Install tools in spindles.
  • Change worn cutting tools, using wrenches.
  • Position and secure workpieces on tables, using bolts, jigs, clamps, shims, or other holding devices.
  • Move machine controls to lower tools to workpieces and to engage automatic feeds.
  • Turn valves and direct flow of coolants or cutting oil over cutting areas.
  • Operate single- or multiple-spindle drill presses to bore holes so that machining operations can be performed on metal or plastic workpieces.
  • Establish zero reference points on workpieces, such as at the intersections of two edges or over hole locations.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.62/5
Reading Comprehension 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Operation and Control 3.12/5
Active Listening 3.0/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Time Management 3.0/5
Quality Control Analysis 2.88/5
Active Learning 2.75/5

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:

Control Precision 3.5/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.38/5
Near Vision 3.38/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.25/5
Information Ordering 3.25/5
Selective Attention 3.25/5
Manual Dexterity 3.25/5
Finger Dexterity 3.25/5

Technologies & Tools

Automated inventory software Computerized numerical control CNC software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Word SAP software

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.69/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.46/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.21/5)
  • Achievement Orientation (High importance: 3.73/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 3.6/5)

Want to see how YOUR strengths align with this career?

Take Free 15-Min Assessment →

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:

Automatic Driller and Reamer Automatic Drilling Machine Operator Barrel Driller Billet Driller Bore Mill Operator Borematic Machine Operator Borematic Operator Borer Boring Machine Operator Boring Machine Setup Operator Boring Mill Operator Boring Mill Setup Operator Broacher Chamfering Machine Operator Choke Reamer CNC Drilling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Drilling Operator) CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist) Collet Driller Countersinker Dice Maker Directional Bore Operator Directional Drill Operator Directional Driller Drill Operator Drill Press Operator Drill Press Setup Operator Drill Press Tender Drill Presser Drill Punch Operator Drill Setup Operator Driller Drilling Operator Fixed Route Operator Foot Drill Operator Gang Drill Operator Horizontal Boring Mill Operator Horizontal Boring Mill Setup Operator Hub Borer Jewel Cupping Machine Operator Jig Bore Operator Jig Boring Machine Setup Operator Jig Mill Operator Jigger Jigger Operator Machine Operator Manufacturing Associate Manufacturing Operator Metal Boring Mill Operator Metal Drill Operator Metal Drill Press Operator Metal Drilling Machine Operator Metal Horizontal Boring Mill Operator Mobile Equipment Operator Multiple Drill Operator Multiple Spindle Drill Press Setup Operator Plastic Bore Mill Operator Plastic Boring Mill Operator Plastic Radial Drill Operator Plastic Radial Drill Press Operator Plastic Reaming Machine Operator Plate Driller Press Machine Operator Printed Circuit Boards Drill Press Operator (PCB Drill Press Operator) Printed Circuit Boards Pinner (PCB Pinner) Production Boring Machine Operator Punch Operator Punch Press Operator Radial Drill Operator Radial Drill Press Operator Radial Drill Press Setup Operator Reamer Reaming Machine Operator Reaming Machine Tender Reaming Press Operator Recenterer Set Up Technician (Set Up Tech) Setup Mill Operator Setup Technician Single Spindle Drill Press Setup Operator Spot Facer Stab Setter and Driller Tapper Tapper Operator Test Borer Tool Radial Drill Press Setup Operator Trade Marker Valve Seater Operator Vertical Boring Mill Operator Wheel Borer

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.