What You'll Do

  • Remove workpieces from machines, and check to ensure that they conform to specifications, using measuring instruments such as microscopes, gauges, calipers, and micrometers.
  • Observe milling or planing machine operation, and adjust controls to ensure conformance with specified tolerances.
  • Position and secure workpieces on machines, using holding devices, measuring instruments, hand tools, and hoists.
  • Study blueprints, layouts, sketches, or work orders to assess workpiece specifications and to determine tooling instructions, tools and materials needed, and sequences of operations.
  • Move controls to set cutting specifications, to position cutting tools and workpieces in relation to each other, and to start machines.
  • Compute dimensions, tolerances, and angles of workpieces or machines according to specifications and knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
  • Verify alignment of workpieces on machines, using measuring instruments such as rules, gauges, or calipers.
  • Select cutting speeds, feed rates, and depths of cuts, applying knowledge of metal properties and shop mathematics.
  • Move cutters or material manually or by turning handwheels, or engage automatic feeding mechanisms to mill workpieces to specifications.
  • Replace worn tools, using hand tools, and sharpen dull tools, using bench grinders.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.88/5
Operation and Control 3.38/5
Critical Thinking 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Active Listening 3.0/5
Reading Comprehension 2.88/5
Speaking 2.88/5
Quality Control Analysis 2.88/5
Coordination 2.75/5
Complex Problem Solving 2.75/5
Troubleshooting 2.75/5
Writing 2.62/5

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:

Manual Dexterity 3.62/5
Near Vision 3.62/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.38/5
Control Precision 3.38/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.25/5
Multilimb Coordination 3.25/5
Reaction Time 3.25/5
Oral Comprehension 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

Autodesk AutoCAD EditCNC Extensible markup language XML G-code Kentech machine shop software M-code Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Siemens Solid Edge SmartCAMcnc SmartCAM SWIVEL Software Vero Software ALPHACAM Vero Software Edgecam

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.78/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.46/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.31/5)
  • Achievement Orientation (High importance: 3.75/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 3.56/5)

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:

Barrel Rib Matting Machine Operator Barrel Rifler Boring Mill Operator Broacher Broaching Machine Operator Broaching Machine Set Up Operator CNC Licensed Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Licensed Mill Operator) CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator) CNC Mill Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Operator) CNC Mill Set Up Operator (Computerized Numerical Control Mill Set Up Operator) CNC Milling Operator (Computer Numerical Control Milling Operator) Escape Wheel Tooth Cutter Feed Mill Operator File Cutter Gear Milling Machine Set Up Operator Gear Roller Grind Operator Grinder Operator Hooking Machine Operator Keyseater Operator Keyseating Machine Set Up Operator Lever Miller Machine Operator Machine Set Up Operator Machine Shop Pantograph Machine Operator Magnesium Mill Operator Manual Mill Operator Manufacturing Operator Metal Milling Machine Operator Metal Rotary Head Milling Machine Setup Operator Mill Operator Miller Milling and Planing Machine Operator and Tender Milling Machine Operator Milling Machine Setup Operator Milling Machine Tender Milling Operator Operator Pantograph Machine Setup Operator Planer Setup Operator Planer Type Milling Machine Setup Operator Planing Machine Operator Plastic Thread Milling Machine Setup Operator Printed Circuit Boards Beveler (PCB Beveler) Printed Circuit Boards Router (PCB Router) Production Broaching Machine Operator Profiler Profiler Operator Profiling Machine Operator Profiling Machine Setup Operator Rolling Mill Operator Rotary Head Milling Machine Setup Operator Router Machine Operator Router Operator Scalper Scalper Operator Scalping Machine Operator Scribing Machine Operator Setup Man Shaper Operator Shaper Setup Operator Shaping Machine Operator Shift Operator Squaring Machine Operator Steel Wool Machine Operator Thread Milling Machine Set Up Operator Tire Mold Engraver Tool Planer Setup Operator Tool Profiling Machine Setup Operator Tool Shaper Setup Operator Tooth Cutter Wheel Cutter

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.