CNC MACHINING GUIDE
CNC Machinist Job Description
An overview of the common work performed by CNC machinists in production and job-shop settings.
CNC machinists make parts to a drawing or blueprint by operating computer-controlled machine tools. The specific work varies by employer, equipment and the type of parts being made.
Common responsibilities
Daily work can include loading and removing parts, checking dimensions against the required tolerances, deburring finished parts and addressing routine production problems.
In a production environment, a machinist may repeat a well-defined operation over a longer run. In a smaller job shop, the work may involve more frequent setups and a wider variety of parts.
Skills that support the work
Reading prints, using inspection tools, understanding safe shop practices and communicating clearly are practical foundations. As responsibilities increase, setup and program-editing knowledge can become more important.