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Machinists - 51-4041.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • CNC Machinist (Computer Numeric Controlled Machinist)
  • CNC Machinist (Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist)
  • Gear Machinist
  • Machine Repair Person
  • Machinist
  • Maintenance Machinist
  • Manual Lathe Machinist
  • Production Machinist
  • Tool Room Machinist

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000 Production Occupations
51-4000 Metal Workers and Plastic Workers
51-4040 Machinists
51-4041.00 Machinists

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
  • Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
  • Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments, such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
  • Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
  • Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
  • Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
  • Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
  • Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
  • Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
  • Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
  • Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
  • Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
  • Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
  • Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
  • Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
  • Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
  • Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
  • Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
  • Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
  • Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
  • Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
  • Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
  • Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
  • Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
  • Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
  • Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
  • Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
  • Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties, and mathematics.
  • Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions, for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Advise others on ways to improve processes or products.
  • Assemble electromechanical or hydraulic systems.
  • Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures.
  • Calculate dimensions of workpieces, products, or equipment.
  • Conduct test runs of production equipment.
  • Create diagrams or blueprints for workpieces or products.
  • Design tools, fixtures, or other devices for production equipment.
  • Determine metal or plastic production methods.
  • Diagnose equipment malfunctions.
  • Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
  • Dispose of trash or waste materials.
  • Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references.
  • Exchange information with colleagues.
  • Install mechanical components in production equipment.
  • Maintain production or processing equipment.
  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.
  • Measure materials to mark reference points, cutting lines, or other indicators.
  • Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
  • Monitor lubrication of equipment or workpieces.
  • Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment.
  • Operate cutting equipment.
  • Operate grinding equipment.
  • Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.
  • Operate welding equipment.
  • Plan production or operational procedures or sequences.
  • Prepare fabrics or materials for processing or production.
  • Program equipment to perform production tasks.
  • Replace worn equipment components.
  • Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
  • Sort recyclable materials.
  • Test materials, solutions, or samples.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Advanced Machinery Repairman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Fabrication Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Intermediate Level Hydraulic/Pneumatic Mechanic (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Intermediate Level Structures Mechanic (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Maintenance (Fixed-Wing) (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Maintenance (Rotary-Wing) (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Metals Technology (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Metals Technology (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Metals Technology Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Metals Technology Apprentice (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Metals Technology Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Metals Technology Craftsman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Metals Technology Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Metals Technology Helper (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Metals Technology Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Metals Technology Journeyman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Structural Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Structural Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Structural Maintenance Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Structural Maintenance Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Structural Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Structural Repairer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Allied Trades Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Allied Trades Warrant Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Artillery Systems Technician (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Structural Mechanic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Basic Aircraft Maintenance (Rotory-Wing) (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Computer Numerically Controlled Machinist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Conversion NEC MR Machinery Repairman Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Electro-Optical Ordnance Repairer (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Engineman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Enlisted Aircrew/Aerial Observer/Gunner (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic, AV-8/TAV-8 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic, F-35 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic, F/A-18 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic, KC-130 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic-Trainee (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Crew Chief, C-40A (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Flight Engineer, KC-130 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Loadmaster, C-40A (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Loadmaster, KC-130 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, AV-8/TAV-8 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, F-35 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, F/A-18 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, KC-130 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, F-402 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, F-404 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, J-52 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, T-56 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, AV-8/TAV-8 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, F-35 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, F/A-18 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, KC-130/V-22 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic-Trainee (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Transport Aircraft Specialist, C-20 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Gunner's Mate (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Helicopter Airframe Mechanic, CH-53 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Helicopter Airframe Mechanic, UH/AH-1 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Helicopter Crew Chief, CH-53 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Helicopter Crew Chief, UH-1 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Helicopter Mechanic, CH-53 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Helicopter Mechanic, UH/AH-1 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Helicopter Power Plants Mechanic, T-400/T-700 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Helicopter Power Plants Mechanic, T-58 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Helicopter Power Plants Mechanic, T-64 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Helicopter/Tiltrotor Dynamic Components Mechanic (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Helicopter/Tiltrotor Mechanic-Trainee (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Hull Maintenance Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Hull Systems Maintainer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Hull Systems Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Machinery Repairman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Machinery Repairman Apprentice (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Machinery Repairman Journeyman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Machinery Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Machinist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Machinist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Machinist's Mate (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Marine Safety Specialist Engineer (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Metal Worker (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • NAMTS Inside Machinist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • NAMTS Outside Machinist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • NAMTS Sheetmetal Worker (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Naval Engineering Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Night Systems Instructor (NSI) Enlisted Aircrew (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Precision Weapons Repairer/Technician (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Rubber and Plastics Worker (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Ship Survivability Systems Maintainer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Ship Survivability Systems Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Small Arms Repairer/Technician (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Steel Worker (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Steelworker (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Tiltrotor Airframe Mechanic, MV-22 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Tiltrotor Crew Chief, MV-22 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Tiltrotor Mechanic, MV-22 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Mechanic, MQ-9 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • VH-60N Presidential Helicopter Crew Chief (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • VH-92 Presidential Helicopter Crew Chief (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Weapons and Tactics Crew Chief Instructor (Marine Corps - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Fixture Maker (Light Fix)
  • Instrument Maker
  • Instrument Maker & Repairer
  • Machinist (Alternate Title: Precision Machinist)
  • Machinist, Automotive
  • Machinist, Experimental
  • Machinist, Outside (Ship)
  • Maintenance Machinist
  • Rocket Motor Mechanic
  • Test Tech (Profess & Kin)

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Deck Engineer
  • Development Mechanic
  • Experimental Mechanic, Electrical
  • Fixture Maker
  • Fluid-Power Mechanic
  • Instrument Maker
  • Instrument-Maker And Repairer
  • Instrument-Maker Apprentice
  • Machinist
  • Machinist Apprentice
  • Machinist Apprentice, Automotive
  • Machinist Apprentice, Outside
  • Machinist, Automotive
  • Machinist, Experimental
  • Machinist, Outside
  • Maintenance Machinist
  • Rocket-Motor Mechanic
  • Test Technician