A professional who sets up and operates conventional, special-purpose, and numerical control (NC) machines and machining centers to fabricate metallic and nonmetallic parts, and fits and assembles machined parts into complete units, applying knowledge of machine shop theory and procedures, shop mathematics, machinability of materials, and layout techniques. Respnsibilities include:

• Studies blueprints, sketches, drawings, manuals, specifications, or sample part to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished workpiece, sequence of operations, and setup requirements.
• Measures, marks, and scribes dimensions and reference points on material or workpiece as guides for subsequent machining.
• Selects, aligns, and secures holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials on machines, such as mills, lathes, jig borers, grinders, and shapers.
• Calculates and sets controls to regulate machining factors, such as speed, feed, coolant flow, and depth and angle of cut, or enters commands to retrieve, input, or edit computerized machine control media.
• Starts and observes machine operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance machining, and adjusts machine controls or control media as required.
• Verifies conformance of finished workpiece to specifications, using precision measuring instruments.
• Sets up and operates machine on trial run to verify accuracy of machine settings or programmed control data.
• Fits and assembles parts into complete assembly, using jigs, fixtures, surface plate, surface table, handtools, and power tools.
• Verifies dimensions and alignment of assembly, using measuring instruments, such as micrometers, height gauges, and gauge blocks.
• May install machined replacement parts in mechanisms, machines, and equipment, and test operation of unit to ensure functionality and performance.
• May operate welding equipment to cut or weld parts.
• May develop specifications from general description and draw sketch of part or product to be fabricated.
• May confer with engineers, production personnel, programmers, or others to resolve machining or assembly problems.
• May specialize in setting up and operating NC machines and machining centers and be designated Numerical Control Machine Machinist; or set up and operate NC machines linked to automated storage, retrieval, and moving devices and be designated Flexible Machining System Machinist.