Though there are a wide variety of specialized roles for machinists, the profession shares the common quality of using machine tools to cut and shape metal. Machinists usually get a focused education at a trade school that lasts one to two years, or enter an apprenticeship program that lasts four years. From there, they can branch out to more specialized positions.

Machinist Career Options

• Cutter/Grinder
• Bench Hand
• Swiss/Lathe Machinist
• R&D Machinist
• Fitter
• Grinder
• Tool And Die Maker
• Mold Maker
• Patternmaker
• CNC Programmer
• Factory Supervisor

Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) Machinist

If you look through job listings for machinists, you'll sometimes see some of these titles prefaced by the letters "CNC." This refers to computer numeric controlled heavy machinery, which is an advanced form of precision machinery that requires separate training from a standard machinist education.

There is some debate as to whether to jump straight to CNC training. Ideally, a machinist will get a full standard education first, because working only with CNC equipment from the start will likely leave some big gaps in their skill set. This is because the emphasis is more on writing basic computer programs to direct a machine rather than performing the same tasks by hand. However, some employers that exclusively use CNC machines like for a new recruit to come in and exclusively learn their way of doing things.

What Employers Want From Machinists

Though a machinist job is sometimes though of as manual labor, it actually requires strong mathematical and communication skills as well as the ability to read blueprints. It is also a job that requires great care, patience and attention to detail. It is also sometimes physically demanding, requiring employees to lift, bend, carry heavy objects and stand for long periods of time.