Machinist

Job Overview

Job Category

Trades

Sectors

Education

Environment

Office only

About This Career

Machinists are artists, turning drawings into three dimensional metal objects. You create precise tools, replacement parts and one-of-a-kind prototypes out of metal. The oil and gas industry has custom equipment, new technologies and automations that often require your expertise. Do you like creating things with your hands? Are you a master of accuracy? Do you want to work with powerful machines? A career as a machinist may be a precise fit for you.

Machinists set up, operate, fabricate, modify and repair a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments. They may also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines. They interact with engineering, supervisory or manufacturing personnel to exchange technical information. Machinists use tools such as boring machines, radial drills, calipers, lathes etc. They also use applications such as computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software, machinist analytical or scientific software, and industrial control software.

In this occupation activities may include:

Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, charts and tables or studying sample parts to determine what machining operations need to be performed and to plan the best sequence of operations
Fitting and assembling machined parts and subassemblies using hand and power tools
Setting up and programming machine tools for use by machining tool operators
Aligning and securing holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories and materials onto machines
Programming computers or electronic instruments, such as numerically controlled machine tools
Installing repaired parts onto equipment or installing new equipment

Education

A high school diploma (or equivalent) is typically required, along with a four-year apprenticeship program or several years of experience working in the trade along with some industry approved college courses.

Certifications

Construction Safety Training System (CSTS)
Asbestos Safety
H2S Alive
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Aerial lift training
Confined space entry
Aerial lift training

Licensing

Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in all provinces and territories
Red Seal endorsement is available to qualified Machinists upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination

You are a critical thinker who can visualize how engineering drawings should look in real life. You work well with your hands and have manual dexterity.