Careers > Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators

$46.76K Median Salary 16.5K Job Openings (Annual Projection) -2.5% Job Growth

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About This Career

Operate computer-controlled tools, machines, or robots to machine or process parts, tools, or other work pieces made of metal, plastic, wood, stone, or other materials. May also set up and maintain equipment.

Reported Job Titles

CNC Gear Operator (Computer Numerical Control Gear Operator), CNC Lathe Operator (Computer Numerical Control Lathe Operator), CNC Machine Operator (Computer Numerical Control Machine Operator), CNC Machinist (Computer Numerical Control Machinist), CNC Mill Operator (Computer Numerical Control Mill Operator), CNC Operator (Computer Numerical Control Operator), CNC Set Up Operator (Computer Numerical Control Set Up Operator), Machine Operator, Machine Set Up Operator, Machinist

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Skills You'll Need

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Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness

Near Vision

Information Ordering

Problem Sensitivity

Control Precision

Reaction Time

Hearing Sensitivity

Auditory Attention

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Oral Comprehension

Perceptual Speed

Visualization

Category Flexibility

Deductive Reasoning

Flexibility of Closure

Multilimb Coordination

Rate Control

Selective Attention

Trunk Strength

Depth Perception

Inductive Reasoning

Number Facility

Oral Expression

Speech Clarity

Speech Recognition

Speed of Closure

Visual Color Discrimination

Written Comprehension

Knowledge

Mathematics

Production and Processing

Mechanical

English Language

Engineering and Technology

Education and Training

Design

Administration and Management

Skills

Operation and Control

Operations Monitoring

Critical Thinking

Monitoring

Quality Control Analysis

Active Listening

Complex Problem Solving

Troubleshooting

Equipment Maintenance

Judgment and Decision Making

Repairing

Speaking

Time Management

Technology Skills

Computer aided design CAD software

Video conferencing software

Computer aided manufacturing CAM software

Industrial control software

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

Object or component oriented development software

Analytical or scientific software

Spreadsheet software

Electronic mail software

Development environment software

Desktop communications software

Office suite software

Word processing software

Presentation software

Project management software

Information retrieval or search software

Tools

Calipers

Tracer or duplicating or contouring lathe

Traveling column milling machine

Turning machines

Milling machines

Tapping machine

Boring machines

Microcontrollers

Dial indicator or dial gauge

Horizontal machining center

Hydraulic press brake

Micrometers

Drill press or radial drill

Threading machine

Wire cathode electrode discharge machine

Bench vises

Automatic lathe or chucking machine

Surface grinding machine

Hoists

Power buffers

Comparators

Safety glasses

Horizontal turning center

Vertical machining center

Forklifts

Welding masks

Metal broaching machines

Form tools or toolbits

Power grinders

Height gauges

Edge bander

Pin gauge

Turret lathe

Laser cutting machine

Profiling and duplicating milling machine

Game pads or joy sticks

Furnaces

Laser measuring systems

Vertical turning center

Spot welding machine

Deburring tool

Thread counters or gauges

Power routers

Chucks

Hand reamer

Hole gauge

Metal band sawing machine

Go or no go gauge

Coordinate measuring machines CMM

Hand clamps

Scribers

Power drills

Laser printers

Grinders

Desktop computers

Personal computers

Power sanders

Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Near Vision: The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Information Ordering: The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Control Precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Reaction Time: The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Hearing Sensitivity: The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Auditory Attention: The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
Finger Dexterity: The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Manual Dexterity: The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Oral Comprehension: The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Perceptual Speed: The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Visualization: The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Category Flexibility: The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Flexibility of Closure: The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Multilimb Coordination: The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Rate Control: The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
Selective Attention: The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Trunk Strength: The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
Depth Perception: The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Inductive Reasoning: The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Number Facility: The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Oral Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Speech Clarity: The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition: The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Speed of Closure: The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Visual Color Discrimination: The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Written Comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Knowledge

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Engineering and Technology: Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Skills

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operations Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Technology Skills

Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD; Autodesk Revit
Video conferencing software: Teleconferencing software
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software: 1CadCam Unigraphics; Geometric CAMWorks; Siemens NX
Industrial control software: Industrial Scientific iNET; QuestSuite Professional
Enterprise resource planning ERP software: Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne; Oracle PeopleSoft; Oracle PeopleSoft Financials; SAP software
Object or component oriented development software: Oracle Java
Analytical or scientific software: Statistical analysis software; TapRooT
Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel
Electronic mail software: IBM Notes; Microsoft Exchange; Microsoft Outlook
Development environment software: Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite
Desktop communications software: Edmodo
Office suite software: Microsoft Office software
Word processing software: 3M Post-it App; Evernote; Google Docs; Microsoft Word
Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software: Mavenlink; Microsoft Project
Information retrieval or search software: LexisNexis

Tools

Calipers: Dial calipers; Digital calipers; Vernier calipers
Tracer or duplicating or contouring lathe: Lathes
Traveling column milling machine: Computer numerical controlled CNC milling machines
Turning machines: Computerized numerical control CNC turning centers
Milling machines: Machining centers
Tapping machine: Horizontal tapping machines; Semi-automatic tapping machines
Boring machines: Boring bars; Computerized numerical control CNC boring machines; Line boring machines; Screw pocket machines
Microcontrollers: Programmable logic controllers PLC
Dial indicator or dial gauge: Dial indicators
Horizontal machining center: Horizontal mills
Hydraulic press brake: Hydraulic squeezers
Micrometers:
Drill press or radial drill: Drill presses; Punch presses; Radial drills
Threading machine: Threading devices
Wire cathode electrode discharge machine: Electrical discharge machines EDM
Bench vises: Vises
Automatic lathe or chucking machine: Bench lathes
Surface grinding machine: Surface grinding machines
Hoists: Hoisting equipment
Power buffers: Portable buffers
Comparators: Optical comparators
Safety glasses: Protective safety glasses
Horizontal turning center: Turning lathes
Vertical machining center: Vertical machining centers
Forklifts:
Welding masks: Welding hoods
Metal broaching machines: Broaching machines
Form tools or toolbits: Twist drills
Power grinders: Underwater power grinders
Height gauges:
Edge bander: Edge banding machines
Pin gauge: Pin gauges
Turret lathe: Turret lathes
Laser cutting machine: Laser cutters
Profiling and duplicating milling machine: Swiss-type automatic screwing machines
Game pads or joy sticks: Joy sticks
Furnaces: Industrial ovens
Laser measuring systems: Laser shearography flaw detectors; Verisurf Master3DGage
Vertical turning center: Computer numerical control CNC vertical lathes; Vertical spindle mills
Spot welding machine: Portable welding equipment
Deburring tool: Deburring tools
Thread counters or gauges: Thread gauges
Power routers:
Chucks: Angled air chucks
Hand reamer: Reamers
Hole gauge: Small hole gauges
Metal band sawing machine: Bandsaws
Go or no go gauge: Plug gauges
Coordinate measuring machines CMM: Verisurf 3Dgage; Verisurf CMM Master
Hand clamps:
Scribers: Scriber markers
Power drills: Hand drills
Laser printers: Computer laser printers
Grinders: Lapping wheels
Desktop computers:
Personal computers:
Power sanders: Power hand sanders