Resume Example
CNC Machinist Resume Example
Updated October 2026
Precision CNC machinist with 9 years of experience programming, setting up, and operating 4- and 5-axis mills and Swiss lathes in AS9100 aerospace and ISO 13485 medical environments. Proficient in Mastercam, manual G-code editing at Fanuc and Haas controls, and holding tight tolerances down to ±0.0002" on exotic alloys including Inconel 718 and titanium. Proven track record of cutting setup times and keeping first-pass scrap rates under 1% through rigid fixturing and optimized speeds and feeds.
What to Write on Your CNC Machinist Resume
Use quantified achievement bullets instead of generic duties. Here are examples tailored for cnc machinist roles:
- 1Programmed and set up 4-axis Okuma and Haas vertical machining centers to produce aerospace turbine components, holding tolerances within ±0.0003" on titanium 6Al-4V.
- 2Optimized speeds, feeds, and plunge strategies in Mastercam for a 300-piece production run of 316L stainless manifolds, reducing cycle time by 18 minutes per part and saving $14,000 in tool wear.
- 3Conducted full first-article inspections using Zeiss CMM and Mitutoyo digital height gages, achieving a 99.4% first-pass acceptance rate across 45 unique production runs.
- 4Designed and machined custom 6061 aluminum soft jaws and modular vacuum fixturing, cutting changeover setup times from 3.5 hours to 75 minutes on high-mix, low-volume runs.
Top Skills for a CNC Machinist Resume
Include these high-value keywords to pass ATS filters and catch recruiter attention:
CNC Machinist Resume Tips
Best Resume Templates for CNC Machinist
Modern ATS
Single-column, ATS-optimized layout. Passes Workday, Greenhouse, and Lever parsers — the format most used by Google, Amazon, and Fortune 500 recruiters.
Simple Clean
Zero distractions. Maximum ATS safety. Trusted by Big Four, consulting, and civil service applicants who need clean parsing above all.
Compact
Fit 10+ years of experience on one page without sacrificing readability. Preferred by senior engineers with deep bullet-point histories.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I show the difference between an operator and a setup machinist on a resume?
Spell out your setup responsibilities explicitly. Detail your ability to indicate vises, probe work offsets, load and touch off tooling, write G-code subroutines at the control, and complete first-piece buyoffs. If you only swap inserts and load stock, say so directly; if you carry a job from raw stock to finished inspection, highlight that at the top of your experience.
Should I list machine brands and control interfaces on my resume?
Yes. Machine shop managers hire for specific machines on their shop floor. Group your machinery and controls under technical skills or directly in your work history, noting controls like Fanuc 31i, Haas NGC, Mazatrol SmoothX, or Heidenhain TNC alongside the machines you ran (such as Doosan, Mazak, Haas, or Makino).
What certifications carry the most weight for CNC machinists?
NIMS credentials (Machining Level I and II) and Journeyman cards from state apprenticeship boards carry significant weight. If you work in defense or medical manufacturing, add certifications in GD&T (ASME Y14.5), Mastercam, and OSHA 10/30. Quality inspection credentials like ASQ CQT also stand out.
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