| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Production |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Production Supervisor |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 2 to 6 years on conventional machines |
Machinist 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: Machinist
Department: Production
Reports to: Production Supervisor
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Machinist sets up and operates conventional machines such as lathes, milling machines and drills to make parts to drawing. They plan the operations, hold the job, choose tools and speeds, machine to size, and check the work against the drawing. The role reports to the Production Supervisor or Tool Room Engineer. A good machinist produces parts within tolerance from a drawing with minimal help, sets up jobs efficiently, and keeps scrap low on skilled work.
Key responsibilities
- Study the part drawing and plan the sequence of turning, milling and drilling operations.
- Set up the job on the lathe or milling machine with the right holding and reference surfaces.
- Choose cutting tools, speeds and feeds suited to the material and operation.
- Machine the part to the drawing dimensions, taking roughing and finishing cuts as needed.
- Measure the work with micrometer, vernier and height gauge and correct size as you go.
- Interpret tolerances, fits and GD and T on the drawing and machine to them.
- Make simple fixtures or setups when needed to hold odd shaped parts securely.
- Segregate any out-of-tolerance part and inform the supervisor of a persistent problem.
- Maintain the machine, keep it lubricated and clean, and report faults for repair.
- Record the parts produced and any scrap on the job card each shift.
Requirements
- ITI in Machinist or Turner trade
- Diploma in Mechanical Engineering is an advantage
- Reading of engineering drawings
- 2 to 6 years on conventional machines
KRAs and KPIs for a Machinist
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 |
|---|---|
| Dimensional quality | Parts within drawing tolerance on at least 98 percent of pieces each month |
| Setup efficiency | New job setups completed within the standard time on most jobs |
| Scrap control | Scrap on skilled machining held below the monthly target |
| Output | Daily machining quantity met on at least 90 percent of shifts |
| Tool use | Cutting tool consumption kept within the standard per batch |
| Machine upkeep | Daily machine maintenance done and faults reported before breakdown |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Centre lathe, Milling machine, Micrometer and vernier, Height gauge, Cutting tools and taps.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Machinist, Tool Room Operator, Production Supervisor
Interview questions for a Machinist
- How do you plan the operations to machine a stepped shaft from a drawing?
- How do you choose speed and feed for turning mild steel versus stainless steel?
- How do you hold and machine a part that has an awkward shape?
- Explain how you read a GD and T callout such as concentricity on a drawing.
- How do you keep scrap low when setting up a new job?
- Tell me about the most difficult part you have machined and how you managed it.
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What does a machinist do?
A machinist sets up and operates conventional machines such as lathes and milling machines to make parts to a drawing. They plan the operations, hold the job, choose tools, speeds and feeds, machine to size, and check the work with precision instruments. A skilled machinist produces accurate parts from a drawing with little supervision.
What is the difference between a machinist and a machine operator?
A machinist is a skilled worker who sets up jobs, chooses tooling and cutting conditions, and machines parts to drawing with fine measurement. A machine operator usually runs a machine to a set method with basic checks. The machinist handles the harder setups and tighter tolerances that need more judgement.
What qualifications do you need to be a machinist?
Most machinists hold an ITI in the machinist or turner trade, and a mechanical diploma helps. Employers look for job setup skills, knowledge of speeds and feeds, confident use of the micrometer, vernier and height gauge, and the ability to read engineering drawings including tolerances and GD and T. Hands-on experience matters most.