| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Production |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Production Supervisor |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 1 to 5 years in mechanical fitting or assembly |
Fitter job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Fitter
Department: Production
Reports to: Production Supervisor
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Fitter assembles, aligns and fits mechanical parts into a working assembly using hand and power tools. They read drawings, mark and drill, file and scrape for fit, set clearances, and align shafts, bearings and couplings. The role reports to the Production Supervisor or a Maintenance In-Charge. A good fitter builds assemblies that run true within the drawing clearances, fixes fitment problems on the bench, and works safely and cleanly with minimal rework.
Key responsibilities
- Read assembly drawings and plan the sequence of fitting parts into the finished unit.
- Mark, drill, tap and ream holes to the drawing and file or scrape surfaces for the required fit.
- Assemble shafts, bearings, gears and couplings, and set clearances and end play to specification.
- Align rotating parts using dial gauges and feeler gauges so the assembly runs true.
- Check fits with plug, ring and snap gauges and correct any part that is tight or loose.
- Tighten fasteners to the specified torque and lock them as the drawing requires.
- Test the assembly for free movement, leaks or noise, and rectify problems before it passes on.
- Keep hand tools, taps and dies in good condition and report worn or damaged tools.
- Work to safety rules for bench work, drilling and lifting, and keep the work area clean.
- Record the assemblies completed and any rework on the job card for the shift.
Requirements
- ITI in Fitter trade
- Apprenticeship under NAPS is an advantage
- Ability to read mechanical drawings
- 1 to 5 years in mechanical fitting or assembly
KRAs and KPIs for a Fitter
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Fitment accuracy | Assemblies passed within drawing clearances on at least 98 percent of jobs each month |
| Rework | Assemblies returned for refitting held below 2 percent every month |
| Output | Daily assembly quantity met on at least 95 percent of shifts |
| Alignment quality | Rotating assemblies within the runout limit on first test on most jobs |
| Tool care | Assigned hand tools kept serviceable with damage reported before failure |
| Safety | No injury from bench, drilling or lifting work recorded in the month |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Bench vice and files, Dial and feeler gauges, Micrometer and vernier, Bench drill, Taps and dies.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Fitter, Maintenance Technician, Production Supervisor
Interview questions for a Fitter
- How do you align a pump and motor coupling and what tolerance do you work to?
- Explain the difference between a clearance fit and an interference fit with an example.
- A bearing is a slightly tight fit on the shaft. How do you correct it safely?
- How do you mark and drill a set of holes accurately from a drawing?
- What checks do you make before you pass a finished assembly?
- Tell me about a difficult fitment problem you solved on the bench.
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Book a free demoSee pricingFrequently asked questions
What does a fitter do?
A fitter assembles and aligns mechanical parts into a working unit. They read drawings, mark and drill, file and scrape for fit, set clearances, and align shafts and bearings using dial and feeler gauges. They test the assembly for free movement and correct any tight or loose fit before it passes on.
What is the difference between a fitter and a machinist?
A fitter assembles and aligns parts into a finished unit, working mostly at the bench with hand tools and gauges. A machinist cuts metal to shape on machines such as lathes and milling machines to make those parts. Fitting is about assembly and fit, while machining is about producing the components.
What qualifications do you need to become a fitter?
Most fitters hold an ITI in the fitter trade, often followed by an apprenticeship. Employers look for the ability to read mechanical drawings, mark and drill accurately, understand fits and clearances, and use measuring instruments such as the micrometer and dial gauge. Experience on real assemblies matters as much as the certificate.