Will “Head Machinist” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

65% Chance of Automation

“Head Machinist” will maybe be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #358 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-4041.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 43,220.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 20.00
Currently, there are 391,120 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Machinists”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Head Machinist”

Set up, adjust, or operate basic or specialized machine tools used to perform precision machining operations.
Calculate dimensions or tolerances, using instruments such as micrometers or vernier calipers.
Dismantle machines or equipment, using hand tools or power tools to examine parts for defects and replace defective parts where needed.
Confer with numerical control programmers to check and ensure that new programs or machinery will function properly and that output will meet specifications.
Measure, examine, or test completed units to check for defects and ensure conformance to specifications, using precision instruments, such as micrometers.
Maintain machine tools in proper operational condition.
Fit and assemble parts to make or repair machine tools.
Evaluate machining procedures and recommend changes or modifications for improved efficiency or adaptability.
Monitor the feed and speed of machines during the machining process.
Prepare working sketches for the illustration of product appearance.
Advise clients about the materials being used for finished products.
Support metalworking projects from planning and fabrication through assembly, inspection, and testing, using knowledge of machine functions, metal properties and mathematics.
Separate scrap waste and related materials for reuse, recycling, or disposal.
Lay out, measure, and mark metal stock to display placement of cuts.
Check work pieces to ensure that they are properly lubricated or cooled.
Dispose of scrap or waste material in accordance with company policies and environmental regulations.
Diagnose machine tool malfunctions to determine need for adjustments or repairs.
Study sample parts, blueprints, drawings, or engineering information to determine methods or sequences of operations needed to fabricate products.
Install repaired parts into equipment or install new equipment.
Install experimental parts or assemblies, such as hydraulic systems, electrical wiring, lubricants, or batteries into machines or mechanisms.
Set up or operate metalworking, brazing, heat-treating, welding, or cutting equipment.
Program computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools.
Operate equipment to verify operational efficiency.
Confer with engineering, supervisory, or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information.
Test experimental models under simulated operating conditions for purposes such as development, standardization, or feasibility of design.
Establish work procedures for fabricating new structural products, using a variety of metalworking machines.
Machine parts to specifications, using machine tools, such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, or grinders.
Align and secure holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, or materials onto machines.
Design fixtures, tooling, or experimental parts to meet special engineering needs.

Related Technology & Tools

Brazing equipment
Height gauges
Screw pitch gauges
Shears
Hand saws
Phillips head screwdrivers
Spirit levels
Plasma welders
Planers
Edge finders
Handheld welders
Telescoping gauges
Turning lathes
Engine lathes
Socket wrench sets
Cold chisels
Planer gauges
Welding lenses
Metal spray equipment
Beverly shears
Scribers
Swaging tools
Needlenose pliers
Horizontal lathes
Center drills
Broachers
Chamfer tools
Half-round files
Tongs
Ratchet sets
Chucks
Shielded arc welding tools
Grinders
Drum lathes
Undercut tools
Sledgehammers
Screwdrivers
Outside spring calipers
Wedges
Radius gauges
Dial calipers
Sine bars
Calipers
Staging equipment
Spindle blade screwdrivers
Prick punches
Desktop computers
Brass hammers
Machine shop rigging equipment
3-axis computerized numerical control CNC machines
Pipe threaders
Cylinder honers
Brake presses
Ring gauges
Heat-treating equipment
Hacksaws
Milling vises
Tube benders
Breaker lathes
Vernier gear tooth calipers
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Shapers
Dial indicators
Multi-axis computerized numerical control CNC machines
Magnetic retrievers
Hand clamps
Oxyacetylene welding equipment
Angled feeler gauges
Computerized numerical control CNC machining centers
Bandsaws
Personal digital assistants PDA
Surface grinding machines
Knee mills
Pry bars
Metal cutting taps
Crankshaft grinders
Adjustable wrenches
Centrifugal spin casters
Lathes
Micrometers
Vertical turret lathes VTL
Pillar drill machines
Jointers
Ball peen hammers
Boring bars
Milling machines
Parallel blocks
Rubber mallets
Arbor presses
Gauges
Computerized numerical control CNC turning lathes
Steel wedges
Chippers
Square chisels
Valve grinding machines
Personal computers
V blocks
Marking blocks
Inside micrometers
Boring tools
Metal inert gas MIG welders
Power sanders
Putty knives
Radial drill presses
Laser printers
Flat files
Turret lathes
Grinding dogs
Outside micrometers
Vertical milling machines
Milling angle form cutters
Side cutting pliers
Flywheel lathes
Shims
Feeler gauges
Power drills
Hydraulic presses
Thread gauges
Reamers
Sharpening equipment
Inside spring calipers
Machinists' hammers
Deburring tools
Combination pliers
Sandblasters
Buffers
Platforms
Binocular light compound microscopes
Hex keys
Threading machines
Soldering equipment
Combination drills
Sensitive drill presses
Machinists' squares
Angle plates
Ladders
Utility knives
Radial drills
Vernier height gauges
Cylindrical grinders
Channel lock pliers
Surface gauges
Torches
Vernier bevel protractors
Resurfacing machines
Composition hammers
Hex wrenches
Hermaphrodite calipers
Vernier calipers
Horizontal boring bars
Horizontal mills
Punches
Cold saws
Pipe wrenches
Full face shields
Grinding wheel arbors
Single-cut mill saw files
Welding shields
Cutoff saws
Power hacksaws
Portable welding equipment
Combination wrenches
Workshop cranes
Aviation snips
Forklifts
Metal shears
Anvils
Steel rules

Armchair Machinist software
Autodesk AutoCAD
CNC Consulting Machinists' Calculator
Computer aided design CAD software
CNC TurboCAD/CAM
Microsoft Office
CCG Systems FASTER
Kentech Trig Kalculator
JETCAM
CNC Mastercam
ERP software
EditCNC
Kentech Kipware Studio
Microsoft Excel
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Word