How to Write a Resume for a Machinist

A well-crafted machinist resume can be the difference between landing an interview in a high-precision shop and being passed over. As a machinist, employers rely on you to operate, set up, and sometimes program CNC and manual machines that produce parts to exacting specifications. Your resume must clearly demonstrate your technical skills, attention to detail, safety mindset, and reliability. This guide will walk you through how to write a focused, effective machinist resume that stands out in today’s competitive manufacturing job market.

Key Skills to Highlight on a Machinist Resume

Machinist roles can vary by industry and shop environment, but certain core skills are consistently in demand. Your resume should showcase a blend of technical capabilities and soft skills that reflect your ability to produce high-quality parts safely and efficiently.

Technical (Hard) Skills

• CNC machine operation (e.g., mills, lathes, turning centers, machining centers)
• Manual machining (engine lathe, vertical/horizontal mills, grinders, drill presses)
• CNC programming (G-code, M-code; familiarity with controls like Fanuc, Haas, Mazak, Siemens)
• Machine setup and changeovers (tooling selection, offsets, fixturing, workholding)
• Blueprint reading and interpretation (GD&T, tolerances, surface finish requirements)
• Precision measurement and inspection (micrometers, calipers, height gauges, bore gauges, CMM basics)
• Tooling knowledge (cutting tools, inserts, speeds & feeds, tool life optimization)
• Material knowledge (steel alloys, aluminum, stainless, titanium, plastics, composites)
• Quality control and documentation (first-article inspection, in-process checks, SPC)
• Preventive maintenance and basic troubleshooting of machines
• CAM software familiarity (e.g., Mastercam, Fusion 360, GibbsCAM, SolidCAM)
• Lean manufacturing and 5S practices

Soft Skills

• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Problem-solving and root cause analysis
• Time management and ability to meet production deadlines
• Teamwork and communication with engineers, supervisors, and quality staff
• Adaptability to new machines, controls, and processes
• Strong safety awareness and compliance with shop procedures
• Dependability and consistent attendance

Use the job description to prioritize which skills you list first and which you emphasize in your work experience bullet points.

Formatting Tips for a Machinist Resume

Your resume should be clean, easy to scan, and focused on the skills and experience that matter most to machinist roles. Aim for one page if you have under 10 years of experience, and no more than two pages for more seasoned professionals.

Layout and Design

• Use a simple, professional layout with clear section headings and consistent formatting.
• Choose readable fonts such as Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica in 10–12 pt size.
• Keep margins around 0.5–1 inch for good readability and space.
• Avoid graphics, photos, and complex formatting that may not parse well in applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Resume Header

Your header should include:

• Full name
• City, state (full address is optional)
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• Optional: LinkedIn profile or online portfolio (if relevant and up to date)

Professional Summary

Start with a short, 3–4 line summary that highlights your experience level, key machines or processes you specialize in, and your value to an employer. Avoid generic objectives.

Example:

Detail-oriented CNC Machinist with 7+ years of experience setting up and operating Haas and Fanuc-controlled mills and lathes in high-volume production environments. Skilled in blueprint reading, GD&T, and tight-tolerance machining (±0.0005"). Proven track record of reducing scrap and improving cycle times while maintaining strict quality and safety standards.

Work Experience

• List your positions in reverse chronological order (most recent first).
• Include job title, company name, location, and dates of employment.
• Use bullet points to describe your responsibilities and achievements.
• Start bullets with strong action verbs (e.g., "Set up," "Programmed," "Reduced," "Improved").
• Quantify results wherever possible (scrap reduction, improved throughput, reduced setup time).

Education and Training

• List your highest level of education first (e.g., technical diploma, associate degree, high school).
• Include relevant trade school programs, apprenticeships, or vocational training in machining or manufacturing technology.
• Mention coursework related to CNC programming, blueprint reading, manufacturing processes, or metrology.

Skills Section

• Create a dedicated skills section to list machines, controls, software, and technical capabilities.
• Group related skills (e.g., "CNC Machines & Controls," "Inspection & Metrology," "Programming & Software").
• Only include skills you can confidently perform in a real shop environment.

Job-Specific Section 1: Showcasing Machine and Equipment Proficiency

For machinists, employers want to see exactly what equipment you can run and how independently you can operate. A generic description like "operated CNC machines" is not enough. Be specific and detailed so hiring managers can quickly match your experience to their shop’s equipment.

List Specific Machines and Controls

• Include brands and models when relevant (e.g., Haas VF-2, Mazak Integrex, Okuma lathes).
• Mention control types (Fanuc, Haas, Mazatrol, Siemens, Okuma OSP, etc.).
• Differentiate between setup, operation, and programming responsibilities.

Example bullet points:

• Set up and operated Haas VF-3 and VF-4 vertical machining centers using Fanuc controls to produce aerospace components within ±0.0005" tolerances.
• Performed complete setups on Mazak Quick Turn lathes, including chucking, tooling, offsets, and first-article inspection.
• Adjusted tool offsets, speeds, and feeds in G-code programs at the machine to improve surface finish and extend tool life by 15%.

Highlight Setup vs. Operation vs. Programming

• If you only operated pre-set machines, be honest but highlight your reliability and quality.
• If you performed setups, emphasize independence and complexity of setups.
• If you programmed machines (at the control or via CAM), clearly state the level of programming you performed.

Employers often prioritize machinists who can handle full setups and minor programming adjustments, so be clear about the depth of your experience.

Job-Specific Section 2: Emphasizing Quality, Precision, and Safety

Machinists are responsible for producing parts that meet strict quality standards while maintaining a safe work environment. Your resume should demonstrate your commitment to precision, quality control, and safety practices.

Quality and Inspection Experience

• List inspection tools you use regularly (micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, bore gauges, thread gauges, CMM exposure).
• Mention experience with first-article inspection (FAI) and in-process checks.
• Highlight any experience with quality systems (ISO 9001, AS9100, IATF 16949).

Example bullets:

• Performed in-process inspection using micrometers, calipers, and height gauges to verify critical dimensions on medical device components.
• Documented first-article inspections and maintained production records in accordance with ISO 9001 quality standards.
• Collaborated with quality engineers to identify root causes of dimensional nonconformances and implement corrective actions.

Safety and Shop Best Practices

• Note any safety training, OSHA awareness, or participation in safety committees.
• Highlight adherence to lockout/tagout procedures, PPE use, and housekeeping (5S).
• Mention zero-incident records or safety recognition if applicable.

Example bullets:

• Maintained a 3-year record of zero lost-time incidents by strictly following lockout/tagout and machine guarding procedures.
• Implemented 5S organization improvements at workstations, reducing time spent searching for tools and gauges by 20%.

Tailoring Strategies for Machinist Resumes

To stand out, you must tailor your machinist resume to each job posting rather than sending the same version everywhere. This helps you pass ATS filters and quickly show hiring managers you are a strong fit for their specific environment.

Study the Job Description

• Highlight the machines, materials, and processes mentioned (e.g., "Haas vertical mills," "Mazak lathes," "aerospace components").
• Identify required skills such as "CNC setup," "G-code editing," or "tight-tolerance machining."
• Note any industry-specific requirements (aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, oil & gas).

Mirror Relevant Keywords

• Incorporate exact phrases from the job posting into your skills and experience sections when they genuinely apply to you.
• Ensure your resume includes the names of specific machines, controls, and software listed in the ad if you have experience with them.

Prioritize the Most Relevant Experience

• Move your most relevant machinist roles and bullets toward the top of each section.
• Emphasize experience in similar industries or with similar tolerances and quality requirements.
• Trim or shorten less relevant details (e.g., unrelated jobs or outdated technologies) to keep the focus on what matters most.

Customize Your Summary

• Adjust your professional summary to reflect the specific type of machining job (e.g., production, prototype, tool and die, aerospace, medical).
• Mention the most important qualifications from the posting in your first 1–2 lines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on a Machinist Resume

Even experienced machinists can lose opportunities due to avoidable resume errors. Watch out for these common issues:

Being Too Vague

• Statements like "operated machines" or "did inspections" do not show your true capability.
• Be specific about machine types, tolerances, materials, and the level of responsibility you held.

Ignoring Metrics and Results

• Failing to quantify your impact makes your work sound routine.
• Include numbers when possible: scrap reduction, improved cycle times, reduced setup time, increased throughput, or on-time delivery improvements.

Overloading with Jargon Without Context

• While technical terms are important, avoid long strings of acronyms without explanation.
• Ensure each bullet point clearly communicates what you did and why it mattered.

Poor Organization and Formatting

• Cluttered resumes with inconsistent fonts, spacing, or formatting appear unprofessional.
• Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent formatting to make your resume easy to scan.

Spelling and Grammar Errors

• Typos and grammatical mistakes suggest a lack of attention to detail, which is critical in machining.
• Proofread carefully or ask someone else to review your resume before sending it.

Leaving Out Certifications and Training

• Omitting relevant training, apprenticeships, or certifications can undersell your qualifications.
• Include items such as NIMS credentials, OSHA-10/30, or specialized manufacturer training when applicable.

A strong machinist resume clearly shows what machines you can run, how precisely you can work, and how you contribute to safety, quality, and productivity. By emphasizing specific equipment, measurable achievements, and relevant skills—and tailoring each resume to the job—you significantly increase your chances of getting interviews and advancing your machining career.