Free machinist job description template
Fill in the [brackets] and cut anything that doesn’t fit your job. Unlock one-tap copy and PDF download free with your email.
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Machinist job description template · Fill in the [brackets]
Machinist
About the job
[Business name] is hiring a Machinist who sets up and runs manual and CNC machines to turn, mill, drill and grind parts to specification. [One or two sentences about your business and why someone would want to work there.]
What you’ll do
- Read detailed drawings or files, such as blueprints and sketches
- Set up, operate and disassemble manual and CNC machine tools
- Align, secure and adjust cutting tools and workpieces
- Monitor the feed and speed of machines
- Turn, mill, drill, shape and grind machine parts to specifications
- Verify that completed products meet requirements
What you need
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Machining experience or training [specify]
- Ability to read blueprints and use measuring tools
- Own [precision tools, if required]
Nice to have
- CNC programming experience
- Machining certification
How to apply
[Apply link, email or phone], by [date].
[Business name] is an equal opportunity employer.
✓ Unlocked. Use the buttons above the template to copy it or save it as a PDF.
Example: the template filled in for a small business
Hypothetical example for Precision Point Machine, an eight-person job shop.
Precision Point Machine is hiring a CNC Machinist (Monday to Thursday, 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). You'll set up and run mills and lathes, check parts and keep records. Blueprint reading is required.
Notice what makes it work: real hours, the actual tools, who they report to, and one honest reason to want the job. That’s the difference between a blank template and a job description that gets the right applicants.
What a machinist does
A machinist sets up and runs manual and CNC machines to turn, mill, drill and grind parts to specification. Typical duties include:
- Read detailed drawings or files, such as blueprints and sketches
- Set up, operate and disassemble manual and CNC machine tools
- Align, secure and adjust cutting tools and workpieces
- Monitor the feed and speed of machines
- Turn, mill, drill, shape and grind machine parts to specifications
- Verify that completed products meet requirements
Duties adapted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Requirements, training and licenses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says machinists typically need a high school diploma, and optional certification can demonstrate competency in areas such as CNC machine operation and CAD/CAM.
Training: Long-term on-the-job training.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Machinists and Tool and Die Makers.
How much does a machinist make?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. A median means half earned more and half earned less. Pay in your area may be higher or lower; check postings for similar jobs near you. A growing number of states and cities require a pay range in job postings, so check your local rules before you post.
Before you set the rate, run the free hiring cost calculator. It adds payroll taxes and other costs and shows how much work the hire needs to bring in to pay for itself.
Free template or written for you?
| Free template | Job Description $30 | Hiring Kit $299 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written for | Any business | Your business | Your business |
| Duties and schedule | Typical, with blanks | Yours, filled in | Yours, filled in |
| Pay | National figure | Set for your local market | Set for your local market |
| State rules | “Check your state” | Checked for your state | Checked for your state |
| Ready to post | No, you edit it | Yes | Yes, plus the job posting |
| Performance review form | — | Included free | Included |
| Interview guide and 30-60-90 day plan | — | — | Included |
| Use the template | Have us write it | Get the Hiring Kit |
Free template
- Typical duties with blanks to fill in
- National pay figure
- You edit it before posting
Job Description · $30
- Written for your business: your duties, schedule and pay
- Checked for your state’s rules
- Ready to post
- Free matching performance review form
Hiring Kit · $299
- Everything in the $30 job description
- The job posting
- Interview guide
- 30-60-90 day plan for the new hire
Fixed prices. See what’s included in Job Description Writing and the Hiring Kit.
Common questions
How do I test a machinist's skills?
A short hands-on test, such as reading a drawing and measuring a finished part, shows more than a resume. Keep the test short and paid if it runs long.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Copy it, edit it and post it. It's a starting point written for any business, so fill in the brackets and adjust the duties to your actual job. If you'd rather have it written for your business, ready to post, our Job Description service is $30.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information. Requirements for some roles, especially in healthcare, vary by state. Check your state's rules, and talk to an employment attorney if you're unsure.
Published by Groundwork Business Advisory. Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage estimates.