Machinist

Summary:

Sets up and operates conventional, special purpose, and numerical control (NC) machines and a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts. Operates mechanical equipment and uses blueprints and schematics to ensure proper dimensions and tolerance levels by performing the following duties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Selects the appropriate tools, machines, and materials to be used in preparation of machinery work.
• Consults with engineering and other appropriate personnel regarding product information such as design, capacity and purpose, and types of material to be used to fabricate part or product.
• Studies sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products Calculates dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and calipers.
• Aligns and secures holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials onto machines.
• Sets up, adjusts, and operates all of the basic machine tools and many specialized or advanced variation tools to perform precision machining operations.
• Designs fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.
• Cleans and lubricates machines, tools, and equipment to remove grease, rust, stains, and foreign matter.
• Monitors the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
• Disposes of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
• Evaluates machining procedures and recommends changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
• Machines parts to exact specifications and tolerances using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
• Maintains machine tools in proper operational condition and supplies own measuring tools.
• Measures, examines, or tests completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers, dial indicators, height gages, calipers, and thread gages.
• Performs experimental machining requiring special tooling and materials.
• Assures that interrelating dimensions are correct.
• Confers with engineers, production personnel, programmers, or others to resolve machining or assembly problems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Knowledge

• Design – Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• English Language – Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Mathematics – Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, and their applications.
• Mechanical – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Production and Processing – Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Skills

• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Coordination – Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Critical Thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Equipment Maintenance – Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Equipment Selection – Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Monitoring – Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Operation and Control – Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Operation Monitoring – Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

• Arm-Hand Steadiness – The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Control Precision – The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• Finger Dexterity – The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• Information Ordering – The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Manual Dexterity – The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• Multi-Limb Coordination – The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
• Near Vision – The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Oral Comprehension – The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Problem Sensitivity – The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Reaction Time – The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
• Reading Comprehension – The ability to understand written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Speech Recognition – The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Time Management – The ability to manage one’s own time and/or the time of others.
• Written Comprehension – The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Ability to set up and operate a full range of machine tool equipment such as lathes, grinders, mill and drill presses.
• Ability to make complex setups and maintain close tolerances.

Competencies

• Attendance / Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Design – Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.
• Diversity – Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Promotes a harassment-free work environment.
• Ethics – Treats people with respect; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Initiative – Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.
• Motivation – Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence.
• Oral Communication – Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Participates in meetings.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on-time; Supports organization’s goals and values.
• Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Quantity – Meets productivity standards; Completes work in a timely manner; Strives to increase productivity.
• Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.
• Teamwork – Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others’ views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit.

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine correspondence.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent, and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have basic personal computer skills, including electronic mail, word processing, spreadsheet, etc., as well as knowledge and experience using Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally life and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and 5+ years of machine shop/manufacturing experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1+ year certificate from machine trade school or equivalent technical school preferred.

Requirements

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and 5+ years of machine shop/manufacturing experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1+ year certificate from machine trade school or equivalent technical school preferred.

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.